Stand on the Sky

by Erin Bow (Author)

Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade

2019 Winner of the Governor General's Literary Award​

An exquisitely written, uplifting middle grade debut by acclaimed author, Erin Bow, about a young girl who defies her family's expectations in order to save her brother and become an eagle hunter, perfect for fans of Pax.

It goes against all tradition for Aisulu to train an eagle, for among the Kazakh nomads, only men can fly them. But everything changes when Aisulu discovers that her brother, Serik, has been concealing a bad limp that risks not just his future as the family's leader, but his life too. When her parents leave to seek a cure for Serik in a distant hospital, Aisulu finds herself living with her intimidating uncle and strange auntie--and secretly caring for an orphaned baby eagle. To save her brother and keep her family from having to leave their nomadic life behind forever, Aisulu must earn her eagle's trust and fight for her right to soar. Along the way, she discovers that family are people who choose each other, home is a place you build, and hope is a thing with feathers.

Erin Bow's lyrical middle grade debut is perfect for fans of original animal-friendship stories like Pax and Because of Winn Dixie.

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School Library Journal

Gr 5-8--In an effort to help save her brother and family, Aisulu must become an Eagle Hunter, which is unheard of for a girl. Set in Mongolia, this is the tale of Aisulu and her family, who are part of a nomadic clan. Their sustenance depends on milking goats and yaks. Through a tragic, youthful act, Aisulu and her brother cause the death of a mother eagle. Feeling responsible, she risks her life to rescue the eaglet. While Bow uses a lot of details to relate the care of a baby eagle, too much focus is given to the hunting of mice and the carrying of water. Though an interesting and unique setting, there is a lack of character development and the eagle and familial relationships are somewhat flat. VERDICT Readers looking for middle grade stories set in Mongolia, of which there are very few, may enjoy seeing Aisulu triumph. A secondary purchase for most collections.--Maureen Sullivan, Calumet City Public Library, IL

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Publishers Weekly

In Mongolia, 12-year-old Aisulu chafes at the expectations of her Kazakh community, which confines her to "girls' work," despite her skills in math, science, and horseback riding: "In a land where girls are supposed to have hearts made of milk, Aisulu had a heart made of sky." Aisulu, concerned about her older brother, Serik, betrays his confidence about his persistent limp after he breaks his leg, and he is sent for medical treatment. While her sibling and parents are away, Aisulu rescues an orphaned eaglet. She begins to feel as if she could be one of the burkitshi, the eagle hunters, and she and her bird prepare to compete in the Eagle Festival, with a monetary prize that could fund the medical treatment Serik needs. Though her uncle's wife says "there have been women with eagles since ancient days," Aisulu's father thinks her inclusion will defy local convention. The narrative traces Aisulu's growth, including her shifting role within her community, her burgeoning relationship with her eagle, and her maturing sense of self. And while Bow (Sorrow's Knot) creates a vivid sense of place, she is writing from outside the culture, drawing from a home stay with a family of nomadic eagle hunters. Her lyrical work of fiction offers readers and educators an opportunity to explore essential questions about cultural appropriation and the #OwnVoices movement. Ages 10-12. (Mar.)

Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

Praise for STAND ON THE SKY:

Winner of the Governor General's Literary Award 2019

A Junior Library Guild Spring 2019 Gold Standard Selection

A New York Public Library 2019 Best Books for Kids

"[A] story of strength, courage, and resilience that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt abandoned, alone, or doubted themselves and their place in the world.... Bow delivers a jubilant tale that celebrates the power of family, love, and young women." —Quill and Quire

"Bow uses wistful narrative flourishes to paint this meticulously detailed portrait of a nomadic family and their profound relationship with the wildlife and unforgiving land....[Y]oung readers will find [the ending] heartwarmingly earned and inspiring." —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"[T]his book is lyrical and lovely and features complex and vivid characters."—Booklist

"Readers will root for Aisulu and her community, an ancient culture negotiating the contemporary world." —Kirkus

"[A]n interesting and unique setting." —School Library Journal

"Bow (Sorrow's Knot) creates a vivid sense of place." —Publishers Weekly

Erin Bow
Erin Bow grew up wanting to be an astronomer, trained as a particle physicist . . . and then took a left turn into writing poetry and children's fiction. Her books--which include Stand on the Sky, Plain Kate, Sorrow's Knot, and the science fiction duology The Scorpion Rules and The Swan Riders--have won a fistful of awards, including a Newbery Honor. Born in Iowa and raised in Nebraska, Erin now writes in a shed in her messy but beloved garden in Ontario, Canada. Visit her online at ErinBow.com and @ErinBowBooks.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780358434207
Lexile Measure
670
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Clarion Books
Publication date
October 20, 2020
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV002040 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Birds
JUV039140 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance
JUV013000 - Juvenile Fiction | Family | General
JUV014000 - Juvenile Fiction | Girls & Women
JUV030020 - Juvenile Fiction | People & Places | Asia
Library of Congress categories
Families
Family life
Sex role
Mongolia
Nomads
Eagles
Kazakhs

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