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April 13, 2015
Nightbird is a solid choice for middle grade readers, full of mystery, a bit of danger, a dash of adventure and most of all, a fun, interesting main character.
Because of a deep secret and a witch’s curse that's haunted her family for years, young Twig begins her story feeling very lonely and isolated in her hometown of Sidwell, MA. But in one summer, when a red moon is soon to rise, everything changes as she finds her self-confidence, helps her unfairly outcast brother, makes a best friend and discovers a magical way to possibly break the family curse. Nightbird takes us through these main plot points and weaves in a few side stories such as a mystery surrounding who's trying to protect the owls in some nearby woods from being destroyed by housing developers.
This one is ideal for young readers because of Miss Hoffman's superbly targeted writing. She is a true pro author with many excellently reviewed books to her name and in Nightbird, her expertise shows. For example, throughout the story there is some subtle repetition regarding Twig's unconfident personality and her resulting thoughts and fears. This helps kids really connect with her and understand her emotions. As an adult reading the book, these parts stuck out to me and seemed overly descriptive, but I know they are in there to increase understanding and enjoyment for the target audience.
Other ways it’s great for middle graders are the action is exciting yet light, the limited bits of romance are soft and sweet, and there’s no inappropriate language or activity. The focus stays on the determined character of Twig, her relations with those around her, and her growth as a young girl during this one summer that's full of investigation, intrigue, magic and many surprises. Lastly, I don’t recall the children rudely speaking to each other in this book. It’s refreshing to not see the “shut ups” and “I hate yous” and general “snarkiness” that’s present in so much of today’s books. Generally, I am OK with the language in kid’s books, I get the reasons for it, and I’m not soap-boxing it here. However, evidently it’s possible to be real and honest - in a positive way.
Now, just because it’s well-written for its age market, doesn’t mean it’s childish or that it’s “dumbed-down” (such an awful phrase). Miss Hoffman still crafts a great story with strong characters and nicely interweaving plot lines. She just skillfully does it in an approachable way that appeals to the maturity level of her readers. Her descriptive passages are rich and lovely as well, particularly those that involve the apple orchard which surrounds Twig’s family’s home in Sidwell. Twig and her family make good use of the apple trees, baking pies and making cider and all sorts of other goodies. And readers are always treated to wonderfully sensory descriptions of the resulting colors, smells and tastes.
Because Twig is a girl, her best friend is a girl, her mom is a girl, the “not too spooky” witch in the story is a girl and most of the other principal characters are girls too....Nightbird seems best for 4-6 grade girls. Though her older brother James, who’s the central figure in the secret AND family curse (teaser!), is a cool male character so some eager boy readers who like contemporary magic books may dig this one. Overall it’s an entirely appropriate, well-written, creative book that’d make a great Spring or Summer birthday gift.
I now look forward to giving my advance reader’s copy to my 8 1/2 yr old daughter so she can delight in Twig's adventures and learn the secrets behind the legendary Sidwell monster!
Happy Reading!
Because of a deep secret and a witch’s curse that's haunted her family for years, young Twig begins her story feeling very lonely and isolated in her hometown of Sidwell, MA. But in one summer, when a red moon is soon to rise, everything changes as she finds her self-confidence, helps her unfairly outcast brother, makes a best friend and discovers a magical way to possibly break the family curse. Nightbird takes us through these main plot points and weaves in a few side stories such as a mystery surrounding who's trying to protect the owls in some nearby woods from being destroyed by housing developers.
This one is ideal for young readers because of Miss Hoffman's superbly targeted writing. She is a true pro author with many excellently reviewed books to her name and in Nightbird, her expertise shows. For example, throughout the story there is some subtle repetition regarding Twig's unconfident personality and her resulting thoughts and fears. This helps kids really connect with her and understand her emotions. As an adult reading the book, these parts stuck out to me and seemed overly descriptive, but I know they are in there to increase understanding and enjoyment for the target audience.
Other ways it’s great for middle graders are the action is exciting yet light, the limited bits of romance are soft and sweet, and there’s no inappropriate language or activity. The focus stays on the determined character of Twig, her relations with those around her, and her growth as a young girl during this one summer that's full of investigation, intrigue, magic and many surprises. Lastly, I don’t recall the children rudely speaking to each other in this book. It’s refreshing to not see the “shut ups” and “I hate yous” and general “snarkiness” that’s present in so much of today’s books. Generally, I am OK with the language in kid’s books, I get the reasons for it, and I’m not soap-boxing it here. However, evidently it’s possible to be real and honest - in a positive way.
Now, just because it’s well-written for its age market, doesn’t mean it’s childish or that it’s “dumbed-down” (such an awful phrase). Miss Hoffman still crafts a great story with strong characters and nicely interweaving plot lines. She just skillfully does it in an approachable way that appeals to the maturity level of her readers. Her descriptive passages are rich and lovely as well, particularly those that involve the apple orchard which surrounds Twig’s family’s home in Sidwell. Twig and her family make good use of the apple trees, baking pies and making cider and all sorts of other goodies. And readers are always treated to wonderfully sensory descriptions of the resulting colors, smells and tastes.
Because Twig is a girl, her best friend is a girl, her mom is a girl, the “not too spooky” witch in the story is a girl and most of the other principal characters are girls too....Nightbird seems best for 4-6 grade girls. Though her older brother James, who’s the central figure in the secret AND family curse (teaser!), is a cool male character so some eager boy readers who like contemporary magic books may dig this one. Overall it’s an entirely appropriate, well-written, creative book that’d make a great Spring or Summer birthday gift.
I now look forward to giving my advance reader’s copy to my 8 1/2 yr old daughter so she can delight in Twig's adventures and learn the secrets behind the legendary Sidwell monster!
Happy Reading!