Bird Boy

This beautifully written and deeply moving novel has some really tough issues at its core. Will has recently lost his only parent when his Mum was killed in a tragic accident for which he blames himself. His paternal grandparents live in Australia and while he is waiting for travel documents, he is sent to live with his mother’s  estranged and unknown brother Ian,  in the remote Lake District. This could not be more different to his homeschooled life in  a tower block, trapped by his mother’s anxiety, cutting them off from the world to keep them “safe”.  But his mum did instil her own wonder and love of nature and especially of birds. Even as her mental health deteriorated and they stayed in their tower, they continued to watch and feed the birds. Will cannot forget that she used to say, ‘we all come back as birds, Will’.  Being now surrounded by birds and nature brings some solace after the trauma of his relocation and loss. Much to his own surprise he also acquires a new friend, Omar, a refugee from Afghanistan who is battling his own demons and trauma and shares his passion for birds. Together they make the thrilling discovery of an osprey nest in their local mountains. They soon realise how vulnerable the osprey chicks are and they want to do all they can to help and protect them, but inadvertently break the law by doing so, and soon realise that they have taken on more than they can cope with. For Will, Whitetip the chick is inextricably linked to thoughts of his mother, as if saving Whitetip will somehow atone for his mother’s death. The characters of Omar and Will are superbly done and through Omar we get to sensitively explore the refugee issue and the author draws subtle parallels to migrating birds and the dangers they face. Inevitably, we seamlessly learn a lot about both topics as we are carried along by the drama. The development of the boys’ relationships with each other and with the community is beautifully drawn and we movingly see Will now able to support Omar in his grief. So, this gripping and profound novel does indeed cover big issues like death, grief, mental health, asylum seekers lives and threats to nature, but ultimately it is a life enhancing book about overcoming adversity through the healing power of nature, friendship, understanding, found family and belonging, and one that will leave a lasting impression upon the reader.