Rare Birds

Age range 8 to 12

Rare Birds by Jeff Miller is a heartbreaking, coming-of-age middle-grade novel inspired by the author's personal experience of living through his own parent's heart transplant. This story invites readers into the world of a twelve-year-old birdwatcher who is looking for a place to call home and a way to save his mother, even if it means venturing deep into Florida swampland.

Twelve-year-old Graham Dodds is no stranger to hospital waiting rooms. Sometimes, he feels like his entire life is one big waiting room. He waits for the next doctor to tell them what's wrong with his mum. He waits to find out what city they're moving to next. And he waits to see if they will finally get their miracle—a heart transplant to save his mum's life.

When Graham finds himself stuck in Florida for the summer, he meets a girl named Lou at the hospital, and he finds a friend who needs a distraction as much as he does. Lou tells him about a contest to find the endangered Snail Kite, a rare bird that resides in the local gator-filled swamps. Together, they embark on an adventure, searching for the rare bird. Along the way, Graham might just find something else—himself.

Jeff Miller crafts a heartfelt story about what it means to live in this unforgettable middle-grade novel. Rare Birds is a rare find that will resonate with fans of Carl Hiassen's Hoot and Melissa Savage's Lemon. For readers looking for novels with literary appeal and classic themes of family, friendship, and the meaning of life, Rare Birds is a perfect pick.

"Using compassionate prose, Miller (King of the Mall) tenderly captures Graham's fear and courage in the face of uncertainty, sensitively rendering his processing of a difficult situation." - Publishers Weekly

"It's a sincerely stirring story, and Graham is beautifully written, given room to explore complicated emotions and navigate a deep relationship with his mother. A compassionate contemplation of the business of truly living a life." - Booklist