Charlie's Ravenby Jean Craighead George
Publishers Weekly
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Fans of My Side of the Mountain and Julie of the Wolves will embrace this heartfelt addition to George's repertoire of nature-themed novels. Here the author weaves threads of Native American lore and scientific fact into a moving story set in the Grand Teton Mountains about a boy and a raven. After hearing from Singing Bird, his Native American friend, that "ravens could cure people," 13-year-old Charlie captures a nestling and presents the baby bird to his ailing grandfather, a naturalist. Granddad takes an immediate interest in the tiny raven, whom Charlie names Blue Sky, and encourages his grandson to conduct a study of the bird. Charlie's quest to learn whether "ravens are good" (as his friend Singing Bird believes), "bad" (as neighbor Mr. Spinder insists)—or just plain mysterious—leads him to make some unexpected and profound discoveries about nature. Charlie's irrepressible curiosity forms a poignant contrast with his aging grandfather's quiet wisdom. Blue Sky's unpredictable antics add suspense and humor to the story. Readers will come away from this book inspired to take a closer look at their environment in order to find the kind of unexplainable wonders that Charlie observes during his study of Blue Sky. Ages 9-up. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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School Library Journal
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Gr 6-9–After his Teton Sioux Indian friend Singing Bird tells him that ravens can "cure people," Charlie, 13, is determined to get one. Blue Sky, his entertaining chick, endears himself to the family after he imprints on Charlie and, for a time, the teen's naturalist grandfather, who has suffered a heart attack, seems to improve as he leads his grandson through a raven research project. The author incorporates numerous fascinating bits of scientific information about raven behavior, including a vocalization glossary; the story is technically accurate and offers a vivid sense of place and a window into Native American beliefs through storytelling. Unfortunately, too many unusual incidents undermine the novel's credibility. For example, the raven saves Charlie's grandmother from a mountain lion attack, the bird speaks, and the ravens sense and react to a neighbor's fear and hatred of them. Line illustrations that often do not resemble these birds detract from an otherwise affecting adventure story. Readers will be moved by Charlie's relationship with both Blue Sky and his grandfather, and will close the book with a healthy respect for the natural world and an increased understanding of how to conduct nature research. Buy where George's books are in demand.–Ellen Fader, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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BookList
: From BookList, August 1, 2004, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission. : Gr. 4-7. Thirteen-year-old Charlie, concerned about his grandfather's declining health, hears a Teton/Sioux legend that ravens can cure the sick. He brings a nestling home and Granddad, an old naturalist, teaches him to care for the bird, Blue Sky, and how to record observations of its behaviors. Charlie learns much from Blue Sky, who imprints on the boy and serves as a source of interest and amazement to the entire family. Noted nature writer George weaves together personal and family experiences (her brother, Frank, and nephew, Charlie, studied raven behavior, and George herself kept a “pet” crow) with scientific facts to create a satisfying family story that will appeal to animal lovers everywhere. A secondary plot involving a Teton/Sioux classmate adds depth to the story, but center stage belongs to Blue Sky, a cunning, highly intelligent bird that requires his morning ritual with Granddad, recognizes humans with intent to harm, and even learns to mimic Granddad's refrain to Charlie: “write it down.”
KayWeisman. : | distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.: |
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