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Arrowhawk
Familiar hands tossed him gently into the winter air. Hawk flapped his wings and skimmed the earth. Then he beat his wings harder, rose, and flew over the trees. And straight as an arrow, Hawk soared into the wild.
The story of an injured red-tailed hawk's survival and freedom
A hungry red-tailed hawk sits near a fence post and devours his catch. Out of nowhere a poacher's arrow pierces his body, seriously injuring him and leaving him to fend for himself.
This is the courageous true story of Arrowhawk-an endangered bird of prey who, with sheer determination and will, survives eight weeks in the wild with a poacher's arrow through his thigh and tail. Stunning illustrations capture his remarkable journey from peril and rescue to eventual freedom.
The story of an injured red-tailed hawk's survival and freedom
A hungry red-tailed hawk sits near a fence post and devours his catch. Out of nowhere a poacher's arrow pierces his body, seriously injuring him and leaving him to fend for himself.
This is the courageous true story of Arrowhawk-an endangered bird of prey who, with sheer determination and will, survives eight weeks in the wild with a poacher's arrow through his thigh and tail. Stunning illustrations capture his remarkable journey from peril and rescue to eventual freedom.
Arrowhawk is a 2005 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2004
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52 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 14, 2014
Our 6yo brought this to the dinner table and demanded (positively demanded) to be allowed to read it to us. We were reluctant listeners at first. But by the third page, we were snared.
The book is based on a true story, which was recounted in small print on the last two pages. It was when we got to the last two pages that I realized why it was such a good book: the author took what could have been a nice-ish but preachy story about people trying to rescue a wounded bird and deliberately and entirely obscured the people. It was, instead, a story about a wounded bird fighting to survive.
And that story was compelling enough to make a 6yo want to share it with his family--and even enough to make him struggle through the two pages of tiny print at the end, to learn even more.
The book is based on a true story, which was recounted in small print on the last two pages. It was when we got to the last two pages that I realized why it was such a good book: the author took what could have been a nice-ish but preachy story about people trying to rescue a wounded bird and deliberately and entirely obscured the people. It was, instead, a story about a wounded bird fighting to survive.
And that story was compelling enough to make a 6yo want to share it with his family--and even enough to make him struggle through the two pages of tiny print at the end, to learn even more.
June 28, 2021
For slightly older children. The illustrations aren't awfully graphic, but the hawk's inherent loveliness contrasted with the poacher's arrow is effective art, making for a heartbreaking reading experience... until the happy ending. Thank goodness for trained raptor rehabilitators. Includes full note of the truth behind the well-written story.
March 6, 2023
The true story of a red-tailed hawk injured by a poacher and his attempts to survive with his injuries in the wild. As his situation becomes more and more dire, a group of concerned people who have been tracking him manage to capture, rescue and rehabilitate him, and eventually release him back into the wild.
The focus of the story is really on the bird with the narration being from the animal's point of view and with the rescue being downplayed so as not to become the main point of the story. The story does discuss the bird's nature; the hunting and eating of prey, his instinct to migrate even while injured, his attempts to remove the arrow from his body and the pain and distress that this caused him. Ultimately, however, this story has a positive outcome and shows what can happen when concerned people take steps to help and preserve wildlife as a counterpoint to the hawk being injured by someone who has taken the opposite action.
Includes an epilogue that is more complex text wise and will require assistance with reading for some younger children. Beautifully illustrated with a basic format of text on every other page, this book was a 2005 Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year.
The focus of the story is really on the bird with the narration being from the animal's point of view and with the rescue being downplayed so as not to become the main point of the story. The story does discuss the bird's nature; the hunting and eating of prey, his instinct to migrate even while injured, his attempts to remove the arrow from his body and the pain and distress that this caused him. Ultimately, however, this story has a positive outcome and shows what can happen when concerned people take steps to help and preserve wildlife as a counterpoint to the hawk being injured by someone who has taken the opposite action.
Includes an epilogue that is more complex text wise and will require assistance with reading for some younger children. Beautifully illustrated with a basic format of text on every other page, this book was a 2005 Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year.
November 4, 2019
Based on real events, Schaeffer’s book follows the journey of a red-tailed hawk, survivor of a poacher’s arrow. Injured, the endangered bird of prey nonetheless successfully hunts, eats, cleans its wound, and follows its migratory route.
Without anthropomorphizing the bird, Schaeffer’s compelling text gives readers the experience of being with the bird through its remarkable experiences. The story’s urgency engages children and adults who follow Arrowhawk, named for his courage and determined will, through rain, a broken leg, rescue, recovery and return to the wild.
Without anthropomorphizing the bird, Schaeffer’s compelling text gives readers the experience of being with the bird through its remarkable experiences. The story’s urgency engages children and adults who follow Arrowhawk, named for his courage and determined will, through rain, a broken leg, rescue, recovery and return to the wild.
February 7, 2020
Based on true events, this story is about a red-tailed hawk that survived a poacher's arrow.
Struggling to manage with the hindrance of an arrow stuck through him, the hawk becomes more and more weak and hungry and then suffers further injury.
Beautifully illustrated, this story has a happy ending and shows readers the importance of helping wildlife and letting them do what they are intended to do in the environment.
Struggling to manage with the hindrance of an arrow stuck through him, the hawk becomes more and more weak and hungry and then suffers further injury.
Beautifully illustrated, this story has a happy ending and shows readers the importance of helping wildlife and letting them do what they are intended to do in the environment.
September 26, 2018
JAW DROPPING STORY OF A HAWK WHO SURVIVES FOR MONTHS WITH AN ARROW THROUGH HIS THIGH!
The book is very realistic, why? Because its based off a real redhawk! WOW! Just wow!
I read this book. I cried. I swore. I was disgusted. I cried. I thought, WOW, a juvenile book that captures a real-life situation perfectly!
The book is very realistic, why? Because its based off a real redhawk! WOW! Just wow!
I read this book. I cried. I swore. I was disgusted. I cried. I thought, WOW, a juvenile book that captures a real-life situation perfectly!
December 11, 2025
This is a true story about a young red tailed hawk that was injured by a poacher with an arrow. The tale is told from the point of view of the hawk. The bird is tracked and captured by concerned people. They give proper medical treatment and rehabilitate it. In time they take the hawk back to the area it previously lived.
December 14, 2017
NOT for younger children! The hawk eats mice and gets shot by an arrow, which is then stuck in him for weeks. It is also a pretty long book. As an adult I found the story really interested and the true story at the back of the book fascinating. The art is very realistic.
January 1, 2023
I liked this book even though I felt bad for the hawk. He got an arrow in his wing by someone trying to hunt him illegally. We follow his journey as he tries to survive and eventually finds help. I was amazed to find out that this was true. I'm glad that he was helped and released.
July 10, 2018
We received this in our "world of birds" reading crate. What an incredible story! I can't believe that this bird was able to be tracked almost from the start.
February 2, 2023
depressing!
September 1, 2013
Lola M. Schaefer has written a book that touches my soul. Her story of a hawk which struggles for survival after being shot by an arrow gained the attention of all of my students. Throughout her story Schaefer teaches students the responsibility each individual in the world has in respecting the rights of animals and the balance of nature. I find this an excellent book for classroom discussions.
May 18, 2013
The author's rich descriptive language makes the book a perfect jumping off point for a lnguage/writing lesson. Choose a page and substitute the students' everyday word choices for the adjectives, then read what the author wrote. It illustrates the value of revising for writers in the intermediate grades, and probably even middle school. The book is a great one to use in a variety of ways in the classroom. The Science is obvious, but don't miss the Language lessons, too.
February 18, 2010
I think this book is best suited for a slightly older child. The pain of the hawk may be too much for a young child to understand, especially the idea that someone would hurt the animal on purpose. It's a really nice story with a happy ending. The illustrations are beautiful. The hawk looks exactly like the red tails I've seen flying around without looking like a photograph.
September 10, 2010
With an animal lover son this book was just perfect for him. This poor hawk was pierced with an arrow but survived, in pain. Eventually, caring people who had seen him in their area rescued him and got him into rehab. Until that happens, though, you feel this poor bird's pain and yet its tenacious in its fight to survive. A great book to show kids that good deeds can be to animals as well.
December 1, 2011
I honestly didn't like this book until I realized it was based on a true story. I thought it was kind of gruesome and a little upsetting. Once I read the author's note about the true story of Arrowhawk I understood the importance of making the story as realistic as possible.
I would use this book to help explain that with a lot effort and determination, anything is possible.
I would use this book to help explain that with a lot effort and determination, anything is possible.
July 31, 2008
Its A Really good Book i love it i dont think this book will ever come old its like the best book for k-12 grades its pretty good im impressed with the work that she did on it im speachless for how she made this book very good job on it i really like it!!!!
February 24, 2015
I would use Arrowhawk in the classroom when describing or starting a difficult task or unit. Knowing it wont be easy and you cant give up. The children will learn to persevere and its worth it in the end. It would be a great read aloud.
December 10, 2009
"real story of wildlife rehabilitation, red-tailed hawk"
January 2, 2013
Beautiful.
March 10, 2014
Holy smokes, this hawk is way more hard-core than I will ever be!
November 13, 2014
Great book about how a hawk would react to an arrow going through him. I love the non-focus on humans, and the real story in the back. Prefect for animal lovers.
May 6, 2015
Based on real event.
May 13, 2017
A beautiful story inspired by the rescue and rehabilitation of a hawk wounded by a poacher's arrow.
July 9, 2014
Beautifully illustrated true story. Great find.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews