Bird (book): Difference between revisions
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== Plot Summary == |
== Plot Summary == |
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The book narrates the story of a young black boy named |
The book narrates the story of a young black boy named Mehkai. His nickname is Bird, given to him by his Grandad. However, when his granddad passes away, Mehkai grows close to his grandad's best friend named Uncle Son. Together they go to the park, feed pigeons, tell stories, and drink coffee. Bird loves to draw to remember and better understand things in his life. His favorite thing to draw is, of course, birds. Flashing back, Bird describes his brother Marcus who is a graffiti artist that teaches him to draw. However, Marcus introduces difficulties to the plot by becoming distant and showing signs of drug abuse. Bird doesn't quite understand what is happening to his brother and wants to spend more time with him, but Marcus is adamant in telling Bird to continue to go to school. One day, Bird finds Marcus in bed showing withdrawal symptoms. He is confused and worried for his brother. Marcus lessens his appearance at the house and one day robs the house of its expensive belongings. His father explains to Bird that Marcus is suffering from a sickness and that he is no longer allowed home. Bird finds it difficult to obey his parents and often speaks to Marcus at the front door when their parents aren't home. Turning to Granddad for advice, Bird learns that "'some broken things can't be fixed". When Granddad dies, Uncle Son and Bird begin to go to the park every week. During these outings, Bird learns finds peace with the absence of his brother and loss of his Grandfather, and he continues to draw in hopes to not forget.<ref name=":0" /> |
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== Characters == |
== Characters == |
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Revision as of 13:10, 21 April 2020
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| Author | Zetta Elliott |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Shadra Strickland |
| Published | 2008 |
| Publisher | Lee & Low Books |
| Awards | New Voices Award Honor |
Bird, written by Zetta Elliott and illustrated by Shadra Strickland, is a picture book written in 2008[1]. It won the New Voices Award Honor from its publishing company Lee & Low Books Incorporation.[2]
Background & Setting
Zetta Elliot is a poet, author, and obtained a doctorate degree in American Studies from NYU[3]. She wrote Bird as a short story in 2006 before working with illustrator Shadra Strickland to turn it into a picture book in 2008.[4] It is her first publication.[2]
Plot Summary
The book narrates the story of a young black boy named Mehkai. His nickname is Bird, given to him by his Grandad. However, when his granddad passes away, Mehkai grows close to his grandad's best friend named Uncle Son. Together they go to the park, feed pigeons, tell stories, and drink coffee. Bird loves to draw to remember and better understand things in his life. His favorite thing to draw is, of course, birds. Flashing back, Bird describes his brother Marcus who is a graffiti artist that teaches him to draw. However, Marcus introduces difficulties to the plot by becoming distant and showing signs of drug abuse. Bird doesn't quite understand what is happening to his brother and wants to spend more time with him, but Marcus is adamant in telling Bird to continue to go to school. One day, Bird finds Marcus in bed showing withdrawal symptoms. He is confused and worried for his brother. Marcus lessens his appearance at the house and one day robs the house of its expensive belongings. His father explains to Bird that Marcus is suffering from a sickness and that he is no longer allowed home. Bird finds it difficult to obey his parents and often speaks to Marcus at the front door when their parents aren't home. Turning to Granddad for advice, Bird learns that "'some broken things can't be fixed". When Granddad dies, Uncle Son and Bird begin to go to the park every week. During these outings, Bird learns finds peace with the absence of his brother and loss of his Grandfather, and he continues to draw in hopes to not forget.[2]
Characters
- Mehkai (Bird)- The main character and narrator of the story, also known as Bird by his Grandad.
- Uncle Son- The best friend of Mehkai's Grandad, and a companion to Mehkai when his Grandad passes away.
- Marcus- He is Bird's older brother and someone that Bird looks up to. However, he struggles with a drug addiction.
- Mama- Bird's mother that does not appear often in the book. She remains very worried about Marcus throughout the story.
- Papa- Bird's father.[2]
Themes
Diversity & Race[5]
Family[6]
Empathy & Compassion[6]
Coping with Death[6]
African American Interest [6]
Reception
Review
University of Central Florida Showcase of Text, Archives, Research, & Scholarship (STARS) states "Bird is a touching look at a young boy coping with real-life troubles. Readers will be heartened by Bird’s quiet resilience, and moved by the healing power of putting pencil to paper"[5].
Awards
Bird won the Lee & Low New Voices Honor Award, an award given by the publishers of the book[2]. Other major awards include the Coretta Scott King Award/John Steptoe Award for New Talent[7] and the Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Award for Shadra Strickland[8]. Additional honors includes the Best of 2008 Kirkus Reviews (& starred review), 2009 ALA Notable Children's Book, Bank Street College Best Children's Book 2009, 2009 Paterson Prize for Book for Young Readers, and 2011 West Virginia Children's Choice Book Award[9].
References
- ^ "Bird". Zetta Elliott. 2008-05-01. Retrieved 2020-04-09.
- ^ a b c d e Lee & Low Books
- ^ "Bio". Zetta Elliott. 2014-03-27. Retrieved 2020-04-09.
- ^ Langley, Greg (October 19, 2008). "Elliott didn't give up on Bird despite long wait for publication". The Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA).
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b Elliott, Zetta (2008-01-01). "Bird". Diverse Families.
- ^ a b c d "Teacher's Guide - Bird | Lee & Low Books". www.leeandlow.com. Retrieved 2020-04-20.
- ^ "Coretta Scott King - John Steptoe Award for New Talent | Awards & Grants". www.ala.org. Retrieved 2020-04-19.
- ^ "2009 Ezra Jack Keats Book Award Winners | The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation". www.ezra-jack-keats.org. Retrieved 2020-04-19.
- ^ "Bird". Zetta Elliott. 2008-05-01. Retrieved 2020-04-09.
External links
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