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Birdwing Rafe Martin Scholastic, Inc. © 2005 |
Birdwing is an adventure story with romance, animals, war, and a swan wing. Prince Ardwin, son of King Lugh and the youngest of seven brothers, has a swan wing left over from a curse he got from his step-mother when he was young. With his wing, Ardwin can communicate with humans and some animals. Ardwin never fit into society because of the ridicule from people and some swans. He wanted to escape back to the swans to hopefully be accepted and to not have to accept a golden arm from King Ulfius. Most of the people and creatures he meets on his journey are likable and interesting, some not until the end. The curse is explained so well that I thought it could actually happen. Ardwin is strong and adjusts well to being different eventually. Even if he didn’t have the wing, he would be very interesting because of his strength and ability for a young man. His friends are close to him and always try to help him even when he finds out their secret. I especially enjoyed that Ardwin learned of a curse that was really a gift and how everything that seemed horrible eventually seemed blessed. He is a wise young man with such great wisdom that no one can teach him lessons; he must learn them for himself. Birdwing is a fantastic book for girls and boys from ages twelve and up. It appeals to almost every taste.
~ Lydia Slivka, grade 8, Boardman Center Middle School