City Hawk: The Story of Pale Male

by Meghan Mccarthy

There's a hawk in the city!

New York City is known for its sky-scrapers, subways, and hustle and bustle -- not for its wildlife. So everyone is surprised when a red-tailed hawk is spotted flying over Fifth Avenue, and even more surprised when he decides to settle down on the ledge of one of the Big Apple's swankiest apartment buildings.

The hawk soon draws many admirers. They name him Pale Male and watch as he builds his nest, finds a mate, and teaches his little hawk babies to fly.

Based on the true story of Pale Male, City Hawk brings New York City's favorite hawk to life in a story of family, perseverance, and big-city living.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Animals, Birds, Childrens, Nature

40 pages, Hardcover

First published September 11, 2007

About the author

Children's book author of many wonderful fiction and nonfiction books for young readers, including the below following. Meghan's books have won the IRA-CBC Children's Choice, ALA Notable, Kirkus Reviews Reviewer's Choice, Booklist Best Books, NYPL 100 Best Books, SLJ Best Books, and so on. Blah blah blah, what Meghan really wants to do is drive really fast and jump in really long grass until she gets grass stains. She'd prefer to remain child-like because children don't have to pay bills.

The Wall Street Journal described Meghan’s art as “goofy yet somehow dignified.” Meghan is much the same way. By the age of 40 she plans to wear a boa at all times and on all occasions.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third and final picture-book I have read, devoted to the story of Manhattan's famous red-tailed hawk - the other two are Janet Schulman's Pale Male: Citizen Hawk of New York City and Jeanette Winter's The Tale of Pale Male: A True Story - this offering from Meghan McCarthy features a simple, conversational text, and appealing cartoon-like illustrations, with the artist's trademark google-eyed figures (see Astronaut Handbook as well). Presenting the basic story of how Pale Male appeared in New York City, and how he and Lola (one of his mates, over the years) set up nest and began raising a family, City Hawk is a good introduction to the topic for younger children.

That said, I wasn't entirely thrilled to see that the controversy regarding the destruction of Pale Male's next was entirely relegated to the author's note in the rear of the book, rather than integrated into the main narrative, as I think the way in which New Yorkers rallied around the evicted hawks is an important part of the story. Also, it seemed to me that the author was saying, at the beginning of the book, that hawks, and other wildlife species, were rarely or never seen in New York City ("What they never expect is to see real wildlife - animals that usually make their homes in forests or on mountaintops or by rivers."), which was contradicted by her afterword, mentioning the importance of Central Park as a stop-over for migrating birds, and as a home for other creatures. I understand that she probably meant that seeing a hawk regularly was unusual, in NYC, but it still might prove a little confusing/misleading for young readers.

Leaving these issues aside, City Hawk is still an engaging book, and one I would recommend to young bird lovers and Pale Male fans.

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read at least three other books by the author-illustrator and immediately recognized her art style, which I do enjoy. Big eyed people, and in this one big eyed hawks too. I’ve never seen predator birds look so darn cute. They look friendly and adorable and harmless and gentle in this book. Which is fine, except if kids decide to go looking for the real hawks in and near New York City’s Central Park, they’re going to be in for a shock if they see them.

This is a terrific story with pictures for young children though. It does give information about these birds and is sufficiently entertaining for adults. I got a laugh out of how the hawks, when they were building their nest, were able to make good use of the large spikes put on the apartment building to ward off pigeons. This is also a brief but lovely introduction to New York City as, in addition to Central Park, it shows a few well-known places in the city.

So, it’s a very charming and sweet story, and then there are extras in the back of the book. There is one page about the history of Central Park (and I was amazed at how its construction had so many similarities to that of Golden Gate Park), a full page enticing bibliography that includes books about Central Park and books about the hawks, and then a two page author’s note about the Pale Male story, the hawkaholics, and what happened when the nest was threatened by human beings. Spine tingling stuff! And, my love of Mary Tyler Moore deepened.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've apparently been living under a rock because this is the first time I heard about the celebrity of the red-hawk world, Pale Male. He is not only the darling of New Yorkers' hearts, but the star of several websites, books and a documentary film. And why is he so famous? Because, instead of just bypassing New York City as do most other hawks (and other forms of wildlife), he decided to stop, and stay, and come back year after year to enjoy Central Park and his nest atop a ritzy 74th Street apartment building. Here is his story, in a brief but entertaining picture book form, from his first arrival in NYC to his various courtships to being the center of an animal rights frenzy and, through ti all, the apple of "hawkaholics'" eyes.

This isn't my favorite Meghan McCarthy picture book to date (that honor goes to Astronaut Handbook) as I found myself wanting more from the story itself. The back matter on the history of Central Park and more extensive "biographical note" on Pale Male were much more interesting to me. So, three stars for the story, five stars for the notes, and four stars for the humorous illustrations. I'm going to check out another picture book on his story and have already seen pictures of the handsome fellow at: www.palemale.com

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pair this delightful picture book with Jeanette Winter's The Tale of Pale Male and Janet Schulman's Pale Male: Citizen Hawk of New York City. The acrylic paint illustrations have a cartoonish quality to them with big-eyed birds and equally big-eyed gawking humans. The story tells how a red-tailed hawk was spotted in the city, which wasn't all that unusual. What intrigued the New Yorkers was that he and his mate built a nest high atop an exclusive and pricey apartment complex. The author focuses on how bird watchers kept an eye on the nest and on the bird that became known as Pale Male. Back matter includes information on Central Park where Pale Male hunted and an author's note that describes the controversy that ensued over the nest, which was eventually eight feet wide and weighed 400 pounds. I enjoyed this story of bird and human persistence, and can see why so many different individuals were intrigued by Pale Male.

[Amanda Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love books by Meghan McCarthy and I need to get this one for my students, we are the Hawks after all. The huge paragraph at the back really fills in the details, the bibliography is extensive. I wish the book had a map of central park and some photographs. My students respond well to McCarthy's illustrations, but they often gasp when they see photos, because for some reason that makes the story real.

[booklady · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the children's version of Red-tails in Love: Pale Male's Story—A True Wildlife Drama in Central Park. Thanks Kristine!

[Hannah Baumgartner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this picture book was cute and then I read the end pages, Learn More About Central Park, and the Author's Note. Now I think this book is amazing! It is based on a true story about a hawk that made New York City, Central Park, its home. Soon a female hawk came and they had two baby hawks. Many people and bird watchers loved admiring them because this is the first time they had seen other birds besides pigeons.

I loved this book because the Author, Meghan Mccarthy, put some really great facts about how and why Central Park was built. She also tells the true story about the hawk in the end pages. Their nest was taken down and after many protesters, for two weeks, went on, the building manager spent $40,000 to restore the nest. Mccarthy has many full page spreads with colorful illustrations. I can't wait to share this story with my children.

[Tobinsfavorite · Rating 2 out of 5]

My son would give this 5 stars, no questions asked. He's 4. He insists he's named "Pale Male" this week. I read this almost every day.

The story here should be fascinating, but I'm just not grabbed by it. I'm not sure why, since I'll stop the car to see a raptor (falcon on the telephone line last week!). The background shading of the illustrations is wonderful to look at. I'm a bit sad I didn't love this book.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Meghan McCarthy's work! Pale Male, a red-tailed hawk, was the first hawk to be documented living in New York City. He found a mate, built a nest, and raised a family in Central Park. This story has a bit less science or information than some of McCarthy's other works but it is no less charming. The book also includes author's notes about Central Park and Pale Male, as well as a complete bibliography.

[Courtney Kilbourn · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absolute must in the classroom, in my opinion. Not only does the book tell a nice tale about a bird family but it also takes the students across the world to New York City. The best thing about this book however is the very ending. After the story it has a full page of history about Central Park and where it originates. It is a useful and educational book with a happy and entertaining tale to go with it.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent informational book about two red-tail hawks that build a nest in the middle of New York to raise their family. It creates a controversy between bird-watchers and the owner of the skyscraper and the city council. There is the story of this actual event at the end of the book that exlains more.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pretty great rendition of the story of Pale Male, the red-tailed hawk that lives next to Central Park. The text is simple enough and well organized. The end notes are extensive and as interesting as the rest of the text. This is a good example of the quality that Meghan McCarthy writes with. Really a worthwhile read.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very neat story of a red-tailed hawk who lives in New York City and his mate who are admired by birdwatchers there. I take all these sites for granted as we live in the country where we see things like this daily, but not everyone does!

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked how she told the story of Pale Male - very friendly for kids. I didn't love the illustration style here though because I thought it took away from the beauty of the hawk/park/everything.

We looked him up on Wikipedia after and were surprised to see he is still alive. 23 years old!

[Sarah A · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quite fun picture book telling the story of the red tailed hawk spotted in New York. Nice if a bit comical illustrations, some quite complex words for the early reader but good and interesting exploration of the story.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is some hot shit! And it's definitely the best of all FOUR recent/forthcoming picture books about Pale Male. And that has nothing to do with me being in the Central Park scene.

[Sarah Herrington · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think it's a fascinating story- a hawk stopping in Central Park- and it's TRUE. But for some reason, it just wasn't my favorite.