Strange Birds: A Field Guide to Ruffling Feathers

Four unique personalities form a crew with a mission in this engaging, well-plotted second novel from Peréz (The First Rule of Punk). New in Sabal Palms, Fla., and living with her grandmother during her parents' divorce, Lane DiSanti, who is white, randomly places anonymous invitations to her grandmother's opulent home, leading the recipients to form a secret scout troop, "the Ostentation of Others and Outsiders," the summer before seventh grade. Each has a personal motivation for joining the eclectic group: Ofelia Castillo, the daughter of protective Cuban immigrants, is a budding investigative journalist intent on uncovering the affluent DiSanti family's secrets; Cat Garcia, a passionate birder, wants to expose the tragic history behind a local troop's celebrated artifact but feels pressure from her Cuban-American family to fall in line; and culinary whiz Aster Douglas believes her Bahamian ancestors might have been swindled out of the DiSanti fortune. As the girls rally behind Cat's cause, important, nuanced discussions about privilege, institutional racism, and rectifying historical wrongs arise, prompting each to a deeper understanding of intersectionality and activism. Ages 9-12. Agent: Stefanie Sanchez Von Borstel, Full Circle Literary. (Sept.)

Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Gr 4-7--Lane Disanti is spending the summer with her grandmother as she tries to get used to a newly fractured family. Lane decides to create a secret club to make some friends of her own. Banking on anonymity and mystery being an enticement, she drops invitations into programming bags at the library. Three very different girls find the invitations and attend the first meeting. Ofelia Castillo is a budding 12-year-old reporter always on the hunt for the next big story. Having overprotective parents means Ofelia has little opportunity to put her sleuthing skills to good use. Aster Douglas lives with her grandpa, who homeschools her and teaches her the art of civil disobedience. She whips up culinary delights to distract her from the absence of a father who died in combat and a mother stationed in Japan. Catarina Garcia is a young ornithologist trapped by her mother's desire to see her wearing the feathery crown of the Floras, the local Scouts. The other Floras members, including her old best friend Alice, make fun of her ideas about bird preservation. The four girls learn about friendship as they grow to support one another over a common cause. This story is a wonderful look at the complex and fragile nature of friendships. Pérez skillfully examines themes of change, allowing each girl to shine, and their unique character arcs are creatively explored. VERDICT A perfect title for school and public libraries seeking realistic books about friendship.--Desiree Thomas, Worthington Library, OH

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

PRAISE FOR STRANGE BIRDS

"With its lively sometimes lyrical prose, 'Strange Birds' respects its readers' intelligence and sophistication. Pérez's charming story explores what is means to belong to a community while being willing to stage small but significant revolutions, all the while reveling in the joy of childhood."
—Erika L. Sanchez, New York Times bestselling author of I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter for The New York Times Book Review

"Thought-provoking, timely, and laugh-out-loud funny—Strange Birds explores friendship, community, and the role each of us plays in creating a better world."
—Aisha Saeed, New York Times bestselling author of Amal Unbound

"Strange Birds is an inspiring story about the power of truth, and of true friends."
—Rebecca Stead, New York Times bestselling author of the Newbery Medal winner When You Reach Me

*"Writing with wry restraint that's reminiscent of Kate DiCamillo... a beautiful tale of the value of friendship against unconquerable odds."
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

*"Four unique personalities form a crew with a mission in this engaging, well-plotted second novel from Peréz."
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

*"A perfect title for school and public libraries seeking realistic books about friendship."
—School Library Journal (starred review)

*"Perfect for preteens becoming aware that friendships can be complicated, and that the world is more so."
—The Horn Book (starred review)

PRAISE FOR THE FIRST RULE OF PUNK
* "Thoughtful."
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
* "Those who enjoy vivacious, plucky heroines... will eagerly embrace Malú."
—School Library Journal (starred review)
* "A rowdy reminder that people are at their best when they aren't forced into neat, tidy boxes."
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Select awards and accolades for PUNK A 2018 Pura Belpré Author Honor Book * An ALSC Notable Children's Book * A 2018 Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award Winner * A 2017 ABA Indies Introduce Title * A Kids' Indie Next List Pick * An E.B. White Read-Aloud Middle Reader Award finalist * A 2018 Boston Globe-Horn Book Fiction and Poetry Honor Book