Soaring Bird for Kids

A heartfelt and hopeful debut, the winner of the Schneider Family Book Award, tells the story of a bird-loving autistic child whose family's special nest is in danger of falling apart.

Axel, the protagonist, loves everything about birds, especially eagles. He knows that an eagle will never fly too far and not come home - a fact that his mother, whom he compares to an osprey, the best of all bird mothers, does not seem to understand. Axel's father, on the other hand, is more like a wild turkey, coming and going as he pleases, and his latest disappearance is the biggest mystery of all.

Despite the challenges he faces, Axel cherishes his life, particularly the time he spends with his friends observing the eagles' nest in the woods near his home. However, when a tornado damages not only Axel's home but the eagles' nest, his life is thrown into chaos. Suddenly, his father returns to help repair the damage, and Axel must navigate his father's presence and the absence of his beloved birds.

Adding to the turmoil, Axel's mother appears to be keeping even more secrets. But Axel holds onto an important fact: an eagle's instincts let it soar. He must trust his own instincts to help heal his family and the nest he loves.

The story is a heartfelt and hopeful exploration of the challenges faced by a bird-loving autistic child and his family. Axel's deep connection to the natural world and his unwavering determination to protect his family and the eagles' nest he loves serve as a powerful metaphor for the resilience and strength that can be found even in the face of adversity.

The author's sensitive and nuanced portrayal of Axel's experience, as well as the complex dynamics within his family, create a poignant and moving narrative that readers will find deeply affecting. The Schneider Family Book Award, which honors books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience, is a fitting recognition of this compelling and emotionally resonant debut.

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