Bird by Zetta Elliott, Shadra Strickland, Ill. NY: Lee and Low Books, 2008. ISBN: 978-1-60060-241-2. Q5/5P.

            Mehkai is nicknamed Bird because he loves to watch and draw birds. Drawing becomes an outlet for Mehkai as he struggles to understand why his older brother lives on the streets. Literary devices such as metaphor are used when Mehkai describes his brother to be a fierce pit-bull at times. This books is an thoughtful way to introduce drug-addictions and how drugs can effect ones family and those we love. It would be useful in a middle-school in a Health, or English class.

-Christina Gendron 7/14/09

Bird by Zetta Elliott and Shadra Strickland, ill.  NY:  Lee & Low Books, 2008.  ISBN 978-1-60060-241-2

Young Bird uses his drawings to help him escape while he learns to cope with the death of his drug-addicted brother.  The repeated symbolism of birds is used to represent the struggle to rise above.

Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Author Award 2009

Illustrations:  Watercolor, gouache, charcoal and pen

Themes:  Drug addiction, Death, Birds, Drawing

To Learn more and watch the publisher's Book trailer visit their website:

http://www.leeandlow.com/books/176/hc/bird

5Q/5P

"TOP TEN"

ggolden 7/04/09