Swordbird (review)

In this debut novel written by a sixth-grade girl, birds enact an epic struggle for peace and freedom. The cardinals and blue jays have been close friends, but now each group suspects the other of theft; soon, in spite of the fact that the accusations are based on little more than speculation and rumor, an all-out war is brewing between the two factions. There is much more at stake than stolen food, however, when both groups discover that a cruel hawk is collecting (and killing through relentless labor) slaves to build his dream castle in the hopes of achieving ultimate power, and the cardinals and the blue jays are next to be enslaved unless they join forces to defeat the overlord. Fan enlivens a well-worn and purposive plot by using avian protagonists, who make use of their talons, wings, and the natural resources around them to battle against oppression. Unfortunately, one of the key morals of the story, the suggestion that power and greatness can reside in each individual (even the smallest bird), is weakened through the inclusion of Swordbird, a mythic savior that ultimately gets the credit for saving the day. While the animal protagonists suggest comparisons with Oppel's Silverwing trilogy (Silverwing, BCCB 1/98, etc.) or even Jacques' Redwall books, this stand-alone novel is more of a fable than an adventure story, with action that occasionally lacks fire and a heavy-handed moral. The depth and range of the characters and their hard-won victory of freedom over tyranny compensates somewhat, though, and young readers (and budding authors) may find it inspiring to read a published book written by someone close to their own age. Integrated pencil sketches complement the text and make the novel more accessible for a younger audience, as do an effective map and list of major characters.