Feathers Together: Inspired by a Pair of Real Birds with an Unbreakable Bond (The Feeling Friends)

by Caron Levis (Author) Charles Santoso (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

From the award-winning team behind Ida, Always and This Way, Charlie comes an uplifting story of animal friendship, inspired by a real-life pair of storks whose bond overcame great distance.   

Best friends Malena and Klepetan always adventure together! The two excitedly prepare to fly thousands of miles for the flock's annual migration to a warm winter. But when Malena is injured, she stays in Croatia while Klepetan goes to South Africa--and the pair must navigate the turbulent winds of separation for the first time. Being apart is hard. Malena and Klepetan miss each other achingly, and they have big feelings about adventuring on their own. But even over the vast distance, the two brave explorers discover ways to enjoy their separate seasons while keeping their hearts connected--and their hopes aloft that spring will bring them back together.

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Kirkus Reviews

Starred Review
A touching true-life tale with much wisdom for people who face similar situations. 

Publishers Weekly

Starred Review

The creators of Ida, Always center a fictional stork pair based on a devoted real-life avian duo. "Rain or shine, Klepetan and Malena explored every season together." Klepetan is cautious, while Malena exuberantly "jumped into it all with wings wide open." Preparing to undertake their long annual journey from Croatia to South Africa, Klepetan says, "Whatever the weather, we'll weather it," and the two vow, "Feathers together!" When Malena suffers a wing injury and can no longer fly, "a kind featherheaded man" constructs a ramp to the storks' nest. But it soon becomes clear that she can't migrate with Klepetan. How to bear the separation? Though they decide that "being apart will be a new part of our together," Klepetan isn't sure whether or how to enjoy life without her, and Malena feels anger about not being able to join him. But the two learn and change, and the whole village celebrates their annual reunion. Levis imbues Klepetan and Malena with believably conflicting emotions, while Santoso's graceful, naturalistic illustrations give the stork pair readable facial expressions that convey hurt, loss, confusion, and resolve. It's a moving, affirming story of commitment that withstands change. Ages 4-8. Author's agent: Emily Mitchell, Wernick & Pratt. Illustrator's agent: Justin Rucker, Shannon Assoc. (Oct.)

Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

**STARRED REVIEW**
"The author draws out the tension in the most delicious way, readers rushing to the end so that the birds can be reunited, and likely there will be no dry eyes in the house when the duo are finally once again nestled next to one another, feathers together. The digital illustrations give marvelous personality to each stork, their every emotion evident and so relatable for readers." — Kirkus Reviews
Caron Levis
Caron Levis has an LMSW from Hunter College and an MFA in creative writing for children and young adults from The New School, where she now teaches and advises. She is the author of a number of picture books, including Ida, Always; Stop That Yawn!; and Mama's Work Shoes. Charles Santoso has illustrated several picture books, including I Don't Like Koala and The Snurtch by Sean Ferrell; Ida, Always by Caron Levis; and the Peanut Butter & books by Joe McGee. He lives and works in Singapore.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781419754586
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Harry N. Abrams
Publication date
October 20, 2022
Series
The Feeling Friends
BISAC categories
JUV039060 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Friendship
JUV002040 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Birds
Library of Congress categories
Birds
Friendship
Picture books
Migration
Animal fiction
Storks

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