We Are Starlings: Inside the Mesmerizing Magic of a Murmuration

by Robert Furrow (Author) Marc Martin (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

A stunning picture book for young nature lovers about starlings and the fascinating phenomenon of murmurations. Illustrated by the award-winning artist Marc Martin, this book about the natural world vividly explores how such an enigma is even possible.

Sweeping, diving, twisting, turning. To look up at a murmuration of starlings is an experience like no other. Hundreds, thousands, and sometimes millions of starlings fly together as one flock. The group ripples, whirls, and waves as each bird stays close to its neighbors in a harmonious synchronicity of movement.

The story is told from the point of view of the flock, which gives the reader an inside look at what is happening, and the breathtaking illustrations perfectly capture the ebb and flow of a murmuration. Young readers will witness and fully appreciate the extraordinary communication and collaboration abilities of these birds and may be able to apply these lessons to their own lives.

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Hardcover
$18.99

Kirkus Reviews

A good introduction to starling murmurations, though readers will need to fill in the gaps.

School Library Journal

Starred Review

Gr 1-4—A stellar narrative nonfiction book about the collective of starlings and their migration. The book opens on a close-up of two starlings; with every spread the number of starlings increases, giving readers the sense and visual depth of the group, which can grow into the thousands and even into the millions. The text poetically describes how the murmuration can be supportive, an alliance, and a defense against predators, while the scenes support this thrillingly. Every digital watercolor lends movement and poignancy to the text. A great read-aloud to share with a group and a great introduction to starlings, Furrow and Napoli's book would make a grand companion to Vulture View by April Pulley Sayre. VERDICT This book answers so many questions about the formations starlings create against the sky without taking away the wonder. It's stunning.—Ruth Guerrier-Pierre

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

★ "This book answers so many questions about the formations starlings create against the sky without taking away the wonder. It's stunning." —School Library Journal, starred review

★ "Starlings fill and overflow the pages, swooping in gorgeous waves across the double-page spreads." —The Horn Book, starred review

"A good introduction to starling murmurations." —Kirkus Reviews

"There is an exquisite sense of movement and scale as the dazzling murmurations seem to dance across the spreads." —Booklist

"A wonder to behold." —The Bulletin
Robert Furrow
Donna Jo Napoli is both a linguist and a writer of children's and young adult fiction. Some of her work includes Words to Make a Friend, Treasury of Greek Mythology, Stones in Water, Treasury of Norse Mythology, and Daughter of Venice. She has five children and eight grandchildren. She dreams of moving to the woods and becoming a naturalist. She loves to garden, bake bread, dance, and make pottery.

Robert Furrow lives to experience, teach, and write about the natural wonders of our world (especially birds). He grew up exploring the woods of Pennsylvania, but he now lives in California's Central Valley, where he is an assistant professor of teaching in wildlife, fish, and conservation biology at the University of California at Davis and conducts research. Here his winters are full of swirling, squealing flocks of starlings. As an educator, he teaches students about California's natural history, and at home he gardens with his wife and daughter to create a yard humming with native bees, butterflies, and birds. His passion for birding extends beyond the home, as he leads local bird-watching walks for the community.

Marc Martin is an artist, illustrator, and author. He has written and illustrated internationally award-winning books, including A Forest, Everything & Everywhere, and A River, which was named a Best Illustrated Picture Book by the New York Times. He lives in Melbourne, Australia.
Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9780593381632
Lexile Measure
430
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Random House Studio
Publication date
May 20, 2023
Series
-
BISAC categories
JNF003030 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Animals | Birds
JNF016000 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Curiosities & Wonders
JNF051170 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Science & Nature | Discoveries
Library of Congress categories
Birds
Picture books
Starlings
Creative nonfiction

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