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The Ever-After Bird
Now that her father is dead, CeCe McGill is left to wonder why he risked his life for the ragged slaves who came to their door in the dead of night. When her uncle, an ornithologist, insists she accompany him to Georgia on an expedition in search of the rare scarlet ibis, CeCe is surprised to learn there's a second reason for their journey: Along the way, Uncle Alex secretly points slaves north in the direction of the Underground Railroad.
Set against the backdrop of the tumultuous pre-Civil War South, The Ever-After Bird is the story of a young woman's education about the horrors of slavery and the realization about the kind of person she wants to become.
Set against the backdrop of the tumultuous pre-Civil War South, The Ever-After Bird is the story of a young woman's education about the horrors of slavery and the realization about the kind of person she wants to become.
232 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2007
14 people are currently reading
542 people want to read
About the author
Ann Rinaldi
69 books988 followersAnn Rinaldi (b. August 27, 1934, in New York City) is a young adult fiction author. She is best known for her historical fiction, including In My Father's House, The Last Silk Dress, An Acquaintance with Darkness, A Break with Charity, and Hang a Thousand Trees with Ribbons. She has written a total of forty novels, eight of which were listed as notable by the ALA. In 2000, Wolf by the Ears was listed as one the best novels of the preceding twenty-five years, and later of the last one hundred years. She is the most prolific writer for the Great Episode series, a series of historical fiction novels set during the American Colonial era. She also writes for the Dear America series.
Rinaldi currently lives in Somerville, New Jersey, with her husband, Ron, whom she married in 1960. Her career, prior to being an author, was a newspaper columnist. She continued the column, called The Trentonian, through much of her writing career. Her first published novel, Term Paper, was written in 1979. Prior to this, she wrote four unpublished books, which she has called "terrible." She became a grandmother in 1991.
Rinaldi says she got her love of history from her eldest son, who brought her to reenactments. She says that she writes young adult books "because I like to write them."
Rinaldi currently lives in Somerville, New Jersey, with her husband, Ron, whom she married in 1960. Her career, prior to being an author, was a newspaper columnist. She continued the column, called The Trentonian, through much of her writing career. Her first published novel, Term Paper, was written in 1979. Prior to this, she wrote four unpublished books, which she has called "terrible." She became a grandmother in 1991.
Rinaldi says she got her love of history from her eldest son, who brought her to reenactments. She says that she writes young adult books "because I like to write them."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
February 5, 2019
I'm usually a big Ann Rinaldi fan because of the way she grounds her stories in interesting historical moments (without getting caught up in minute details that slow down the plot), along with the nuanced characters--both male and female--that she creates. She's fantastic at making characters who have realistic flaws and face truly challenging dilemmas instead of making her heroines into idealized types: a major temptation for YA lit. The beginning of The Ever-After Bird had a lot of promise for me then: an interesting premise where our main character--who grew up fearing and not understanding her cold, abusive, abolitionist father--gets an opportunity to learn about her family history and abolitionism by seeing slavery firsthand with her uncle Alex, who was also raised under her father's harsh gaze. Accompanying CeCe and Uncle Alex on their journey to visit southern plantations is Uncle Alex's strong-willed assistant, Earline, a former slave who now is attending university and writing about slavery; during the trip, she goes undercover as CeCe's slave in order to travel through the South.
All of these situations and characters set up many angles to explore, but I felt like a lot of these were only half-addressed, maybe because of the book's audience (preteen to teen). Earline had a lot of potential as a character, but never got past seeming vindictive, capricious, and thoughtless to me, tragic past or no tragic past. It's probably more realistic that she and CeCe never . CeCe recovering from being treated coldly and abusively by her father was subtly dealt with over time, but I felt that her and her uncle's shared experience of living with CeCe's father was something that could have been delved into much more. The ending also came in a bit of a rush. Another reviewer pointed out that this book raises a lot of disturbing issues (abuse, rape, slavery, racism, etc) and that she felt like these were dealt with in an appropriate manner for this age group. I kept wondering myself how I would have felt reading this book at 13 or 14: if I would have also felt shocked and horrified at these events despite the way that they are swiftly told and alluded to, or if I would have rushed on without really processing them. As an adult, I felt like these were moments I wanted Rinaldi to explore more. She did, however, do a wonderful job of showing what life on different plantations was like, showing a range of master-slave dynamics beyond the usual gamut.
I also felt like this particular book had some awkward, Judy Blumish moments that I don't remember from Rinaldi's previous books. I'm not sure whether Rinaldi or her editors added these in, but they felt like bald-faced appeals to teens to seem relatable (look, I'm worried about my period, too!). Sadly, the mawkishness of these forced moments affected my feelings towards the rest of the book, making moments that should have been tragic seem more soap opera-esque than anything.
Overall, definitely not one of my favorites by her, but it was still interesting to read.
All of these situations and characters set up many angles to explore, but I felt like a lot of these were only half-addressed, maybe because of the book's audience (preteen to teen). Earline had a lot of potential as a character, but never got past seeming vindictive, capricious, and thoughtless to me, tragic past or no tragic past. It's probably more realistic that she and CeCe never . CeCe recovering from being treated coldly and abusively by her father was subtly dealt with over time, but I felt that her and her uncle's shared experience of living with CeCe's father was something that could have been delved into much more. The ending also came in a bit of a rush. Another reviewer pointed out that this book raises a lot of disturbing issues (abuse, rape, slavery, racism, etc) and that she felt like these were dealt with in an appropriate manner for this age group. I kept wondering myself how I would have felt reading this book at 13 or 14: if I would have also felt shocked and horrified at these events despite the way that they are swiftly told and alluded to, or if I would have rushed on without really processing them. As an adult, I felt like these were moments I wanted Rinaldi to explore more. She did, however, do a wonderful job of showing what life on different plantations was like, showing a range of master-slave dynamics beyond the usual gamut.
I also felt like this particular book had some awkward, Judy Blumish moments that I don't remember from Rinaldi's previous books. I'm not sure whether Rinaldi or her editors added these in, but they felt like bald-faced appeals to teens to seem relatable (look, I'm worried about my period, too!). Sadly, the mawkishness of these forced moments affected my feelings towards the rest of the book, making moments that should have been tragic seem more soap opera-esque than anything.
Overall, definitely not one of my favorites by her, but it was still interesting to read.
March 2, 2021
After years of being a middle school librarian, I still enjoy YA books. This was one that was well written, informative and exciting all at one. The setting is pre-civil war. After CeCe's abusive father dies, she goes to live with her uncle who is an ornithologist. He plans a trip to the deep South to study birds and takes CeCe along with his servant, a young black woman who is really a student and his assistant. Her uncle is studying birds but also supplying the slaves with money and knowledge of the Underground Railroad. CeCe comes to love and trust her Uncle and appreciates all he is doing to help the slaves to freedom.
July 9, 2016
This book is categorized as “children’s literature.” On the back of my copy, it says: Ages 10 and up. Personally, I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone under 12. My daughter read the book last year (at age 11); thoroughly enjoyed it, and then told me I ought to read it. She is on the mature side for her age, but as I read it, I was kind of horrified that she’d had to digest the difficult subject matter.
According to the author’s note, Rinaldi says many of the cruel scenes of slavery are “taken from record.” So they may be factual, and therefore important, but decidedly heart-wrenching.
The story is set in the pre-Civil War South. We follow 13-year-old CeCe (recently orphaned) as she travels with her abolitionist uncle. He is a medical doctor and ornithologist, and it is his mission to travel from plantation to plantation seeking birds, and secretly informing the slaves about the Underground Railroad.
But beware, it’s got everything:
Whippings, rape, abuse and inhumane treatment, dysfunctional parent-child relationships, infidelity; smothered babies, nakedness, accidents, injuries and death. None of these are spelled out in explicit detail, but they are part of the story nonetheless. And for young children, it may be the first time they have to make sense of some of these concepts.
I was at first tempted to dismiss Rinaldi’s writing style as simplistic, perhaps dumbed-down for the younger set. But I realized as the story went on, it was utterly appropriate. Told in the first person, we are getting a recounting of CeCe’s experience during one fateful and life-changing summer. It was as though an older CeCe was sitting at my kitchen table telling me about her past. Toward the end, during the climactic scenes, it was pitch perfect. Not one word wasted. It kind of reminded me of Doris Lessing's writing style. Spare and direct. And in this story, Rinaldi used it to great effect, it turns out.
If you’re an adult, don’t feel foolish for browsing in the children’s fiction section of your library; I’ve found there are gems there to be unearthed. So why read this one? Because, it’s also got good stuff:
Courage, faithfulness, redemption, hope and love. And not the flowery, romantic sort of love. This is the love-as-a-verb kind of love. The greater-love-hath-no-man-than-this kind of love. And that’s worth getting through the hard stuff for.
March 10, 2016
I think this read is my favorite of those Rinaldi books I've read to date. The central characters, CeCe, her uncle, and Earline are drawn out just enough to create interest in the characters, while the supporting actors are not as well developed. Still, thinking over these three characters after having finished the book says something about the complex and compelling nature of their depictions.
I was fascinated with Earline as soon as I learned she'd had to swim to freedom. Earline, a slave and companion to a youngster, knew how to swim. Was she taught to better take care of her charge, the master's child? Was she taught by another slave? There are inner-city children all over America who cannot swim and drown with greater frequency than their non-Black counterparts. Earline knew how to swim, and swam to freedom while pregnant. She was tops on my fave character list from that point. Such an accomplished person, under the yoke of slavery.
I was as surprised as CeCe by the turn of events that occurred when she stood up for Earline. But she stopped the cycle of violence with which she had been raised initially by her father with her act. I have read CeCe described as bratty; they said they were not particularly interested in her character until much later in the story. They seem to forget CeCe was an emotionally and physically abused child, whose father was her bullying tormenter who could not own his own lousy character. A guilty bully describes CeCe's abusive father.
Uncle Alex was quite a man. He was the only character that felt contrived. He was too good to be true, and I love him for that. Every body needs a hero sometime.
The ending might have been differently done, but I like the summative nature of it. Rinaldi's writing does create the desire to linger in her worlds, but we here in the present must push on.
I loved this narrative.
I was fascinated with Earline as soon as I learned she'd had to swim to freedom. Earline, a slave and companion to a youngster, knew how to swim. Was she taught to better take care of her charge, the master's child? Was she taught by another slave? There are inner-city children all over America who cannot swim and drown with greater frequency than their non-Black counterparts. Earline knew how to swim, and swam to freedom while pregnant. She was tops on my fave character list from that point. Such an accomplished person, under the yoke of slavery.
I was as surprised as CeCe by the turn of events that occurred when she stood up for Earline. But she stopped the cycle of violence with which she had been raised initially by her father with her act. I have read CeCe described as bratty; they said they were not particularly interested in her character until much later in the story. They seem to forget CeCe was an emotionally and physically abused child, whose father was her bullying tormenter who could not own his own lousy character. A guilty bully describes CeCe's abusive father.
Uncle Alex was quite a man. He was the only character that felt contrived. He was too good to be true, and I love him for that. Every body needs a hero sometime.
The ending might have been differently done, but I like the summative nature of it. Rinaldi's writing does create the desire to linger in her worlds, but we here in the present must push on.
I loved this narrative.
July 15, 2009
I really like Ann Rinaldi books. She does such a great job with historical fiction, making it very palatable for young people.
This story takes place before the Civil War. Cece, a thirteen year-old girl, does not understand or care about the Abolitionist Movement.
When her father is murdered because of his Aboltionist views, Cece's world is turned around. She gets to travel through the South, to witness slavery firsthand.
Once again, Rinaldi does not write "down" to her young readers. This is a great way to help teach about the Abolitionists, while also telling a story with adventure, danger, and romance.
This story takes place before the Civil War. Cece, a thirteen year-old girl, does not understand or care about the Abolitionist Movement.
When her father is murdered because of his Aboltionist views, Cece's world is turned around. She gets to travel through the South, to witness slavery firsthand.
Once again, Rinaldi does not write "down" to her young readers. This is a great way to help teach about the Abolitionists, while also telling a story with adventure, danger, and romance.
June 14, 2011
CeCe doesn’t believe in the Underground Railroad. It was her father’s passion, and he didn’t love her. He told her she had no soul.
When he dies, Uncle Alex arrives and challenges CeCe to a journey in the South. In search of the Ever-After Bird.
She agrees, but she has no intention of helping her uncle with his larger mission—that of giving the slaves on the plantations directions to find their way north.
The question is . . . who is more stubborn? CeCe or her uncle?
And will the journey prove Papa right?
I liked the blend of science and history within this book. As well as the author’s interwoven exploration of fallibility, foolishness, and bravery.
When he dies, Uncle Alex arrives and challenges CeCe to a journey in the South. In search of the Ever-After Bird.
She agrees, but she has no intention of helping her uncle with his larger mission—that of giving the slaves on the plantations directions to find their way north.
The question is . . . who is more stubborn? CeCe or her uncle?
And will the journey prove Papa right?
I liked the blend of science and history within this book. As well as the author’s interwoven exploration of fallibility, foolishness, and bravery.
December 16, 2022
This was so much more than I expected! I am already searching for copies of books on Rinaldi's backlist!
This book depicted the many complexities and aspects of southern US slavery just prior to the Civil War. Also what seemed to be an accurate depiction of studying animals (the need to kill a specimen in order to sketch/paint it accurately, etc. There was some death included in this story which was very sad to me though not unexpected. No one endures unscathed in this one. There is some angst for everyone. An informative and well-written book, IMO!
This book depicted the many complexities and aspects of southern US slavery just prior to the Civil War. Also what seemed to be an accurate depiction of studying animals (the need to kill a specimen in order to sketch/paint it accurately, etc. There was some death included in this story which was very sad to me though not unexpected. No one endures unscathed in this one. There is some angst for everyone. An informative and well-written book, IMO!
March 14, 2014
Plot
It has become clear that Ann's best relationships are older male mentor to a young {usually early teen} girl - either a sister or a ward. She's a past master at creating literary crushes {I find one in nearly every book} and her writing just can't be matched. She's SO creative with her words, her dialogue is never dull, her plots are solid, her premises intriguing, her research exhaustive.
Thus she creates CeCe.
To be honest, I didn't really notice the plot. It escalated gradually and came to a quiet climax. What was important was each little domino that fell in turn. Something like slavery, with all the stories and horrors, is hard to portray. It's really impossible to comprehend cruelty unless you are either present for it or experience it yourself. CeCe portrays this well - the confusion over her feelings about slavery and the slow horror she develops as she witnesses its reality. {In the author's note, Ann Rinaldi discloses that most of the things she has CeCe witness were actual documented happenings and that she even toned some of them down for her narrative}
Really, the plot is an even pattern of traveling, stopping at a plantation, unpleasant experience, more traveling, find something along the road, stop at another plantation, another unpleasant learning experience, Earline causes some sort of trouble, back on the road again, ect. Uncle Alex's ornithology and his warnings of the slaves aren't what's important here. However, it is interesting to see how each plantation operates and how each individual owner's view of their property is reflected in the treatment of their slaves.
There are a few slightly mature moments and conversations since CeCe is a growing girl who can't keep her mouth shut and Uncle Alex is a doctor and somehow it's common for them to discuss things that might make some girls uncomfortable to read.
Overall, it had a promising start, but unraveled near the end into a rather anticlimactic finish.
Characters
CeCe McGill
CeCe is a delightfully and also frustratingly obnoxious Rinaldi heroine. She's very typical of the author in being headstrong, plain-spoken, stubborn and tending to idolize the male who has her charge. Not everything she does makes sense {which I think is more a weakness of plot than a weakness of character} but her heart is usually in the right place even if she does disobey her uncle at nearly every turn.
I found her observations about slavery to be very sound and interesting. Her thoughts on anything else were generally less sound and she had an annoying tendency to be very appropriately immature. However, her confusion over her own treatment and views of slaves were honest and thought-provoking. Forced by her circumstances to act as if she agreed with slavery and also to treat the slaves around her - Earline included - in keeping with those views, she grappled convincingly with the consequences of such power.
Uncle Alex
Rinaldi literary crush extraordinaire. Much less realistic than the Rinaldi heroes of yore, he comes off way to strong in the romantic category.
The man can do no wrong. There is nothing wrong with him. He's the perfect mixture of handsome, strength, vulnerability, rightness, wrongness and excels at nearly every activity known to man.
I didn't buy it this time.
However, his back story IS intriguing {wish there was more of it} and he does have a very good tongue in his head when it comes to interesting dialogue.
He treats CeCe a little more leniently than is good for her {she could do, on several occasions, with a darn good spanking} and I'm not sure why he has no control whatsoever over Earline when she appears to worship the ground he walks on.
Earline
Incredibly confusing. She was a former slave with an extraordinarily complex history. CeCe often complains of not being able to understand a thing she does, and I am in wholehearted agreement. I can't decide if she was really complex or if she was just allowed to do anything and everything she wanted because the author needed a little action in the plot. She seems like the type of character who would be difficult to control.
Earline does, actually, provide nearly all of the action with her independent defiance of the boundaries between slaves and whites. She's the one who CeCe first must treat as a slave {a difficult feat after how she treats CeCe in Ohio where she's free}. She's the one who goes on and falls in love with a white man in the middle of the Deep South. She's the one who stubbornly does exactly what she's been told not to do and she's also the one who pays the steepest price {even though CeCe makes a solid second} when the climax eventually rolls around.
Conclusion
This isn't Elsie Dinsmore or Anne of Green Gables. Rinaldi's characters are usually pretty gritty and defiant. They're not obedient, quiet or sweet. Thus there is some language, a lot of disobedience and gobs of literary crushes. But there's also solid history, real-life issues, realistic characters and a refreshing lack of picture-perfect scenarios.
It's life - with a lot of great dialogue thrown in.
It has become clear that Ann's best relationships are older male mentor to a young {usually early teen} girl - either a sister or a ward. She's a past master at creating literary crushes {I find one in nearly every book} and her writing just can't be matched. She's SO creative with her words, her dialogue is never dull, her plots are solid, her premises intriguing, her research exhaustive.
Thus she creates CeCe.
To be honest, I didn't really notice the plot. It escalated gradually and came to a quiet climax. What was important was each little domino that fell in turn. Something like slavery, with all the stories and horrors, is hard to portray. It's really impossible to comprehend cruelty unless you are either present for it or experience it yourself. CeCe portrays this well - the confusion over her feelings about slavery and the slow horror she develops as she witnesses its reality. {In the author's note, Ann Rinaldi discloses that most of the things she has CeCe witness were actual documented happenings and that she even toned some of them down for her narrative}
Really, the plot is an even pattern of traveling, stopping at a plantation, unpleasant experience, more traveling, find something along the road, stop at another plantation, another unpleasant learning experience, Earline causes some sort of trouble, back on the road again, ect. Uncle Alex's ornithology and his warnings of the slaves aren't what's important here. However, it is interesting to see how each plantation operates and how each individual owner's view of their property is reflected in the treatment of their slaves.
There are a few slightly mature moments and conversations since CeCe is a growing girl who can't keep her mouth shut and Uncle Alex is a doctor and somehow it's common for them to discuss things that might make some girls uncomfortable to read.
Overall, it had a promising start, but unraveled near the end into a rather anticlimactic finish.
Characters
CeCe McGill
CeCe is a delightfully and also frustratingly obnoxious Rinaldi heroine. She's very typical of the author in being headstrong, plain-spoken, stubborn and tending to idolize the male who has her charge. Not everything she does makes sense {which I think is more a weakness of plot than a weakness of character} but her heart is usually in the right place even if she does disobey her uncle at nearly every turn.
I found her observations about slavery to be very sound and interesting. Her thoughts on anything else were generally less sound and she had an annoying tendency to be very appropriately immature. However, her confusion over her own treatment and views of slaves were honest and thought-provoking. Forced by her circumstances to act as if she agreed with slavery and also to treat the slaves around her - Earline included - in keeping with those views, she grappled convincingly with the consequences of such power.
Uncle Alex
Rinaldi literary crush extraordinaire. Much less realistic than the Rinaldi heroes of yore, he comes off way to strong in the romantic category.
The man can do no wrong. There is nothing wrong with him. He's the perfect mixture of handsome, strength, vulnerability, rightness, wrongness and excels at nearly every activity known to man.
I didn't buy it this time.
However, his back story IS intriguing {wish there was more of it} and he does have a very good tongue in his head when it comes to interesting dialogue.
He treats CeCe a little more leniently than is good for her {she could do, on several occasions, with a darn good spanking} and I'm not sure why he has no control whatsoever over Earline when she appears to worship the ground he walks on.
Earline
Incredibly confusing. She was a former slave with an extraordinarily complex history. CeCe often complains of not being able to understand a thing she does, and I am in wholehearted agreement. I can't decide if she was really complex or if she was just allowed to do anything and everything she wanted because the author needed a little action in the plot. She seems like the type of character who would be difficult to control.
Earline does, actually, provide nearly all of the action with her independent defiance of the boundaries between slaves and whites. She's the one who CeCe first must treat as a slave {a difficult feat after how she treats CeCe in Ohio where she's free}. She's the one who goes on and falls in love with a white man in the middle of the Deep South. She's the one who stubbornly does exactly what she's been told not to do and she's also the one who pays the steepest price {even though CeCe makes a solid second} when the climax eventually rolls around.
Conclusion
This isn't Elsie Dinsmore or Anne of Green Gables. Rinaldi's characters are usually pretty gritty and defiant. They're not obedient, quiet or sweet. Thus there is some language, a lot of disobedience and gobs of literary crushes. But there's also solid history, real-life issues, realistic characters and a refreshing lack of picture-perfect scenarios.
It's life - with a lot of great dialogue thrown in.
October 5, 2014
Cover Blurb: At least it doesn’t look dated. I like it well enough, and all the hints about the story it has. Still not my favorite cover out of all her books, though.
What I Liked: One thing I always love about this Author’s books is she can begin a story with a somewhat unlikable protagonist, and by the end of the story, you love her. CeCe is, at first, rather bratty and not the world’s most lovable girl. But as the story progressed, I really began to like her. I liked her more than Earline, who really was rather mean to her and provoked her without cause, though I could sympathize with her after everything she had been through. I really enjoyed watching her and CeCe’s relationship grow, and I loved the moment when CeCe tried to save Earline from a whipping. Uncle Alex was lovable from the start - he would be a great older brother.
What I Disliked: Nothing.
Believability: I’ve never had anything to complain about Ann Rinaldi’s historical details. She portrays slavery as it was without going into a tangent about how all white people were evil. She’s always been very good about portraying things fairly and truthfully for all sides. The Author’s Note was especially interesting to read, since she talked about how the character of Uncle Alex was inspired by two real-life people.
Writing Style: Ann Rinaldi has always been good with accents, and this book is no exception. She writes authentic and believable negro and Southern accents, bringing the characters to life.
Content: Uncle Alex tells CeCe that before Earline ran away, she was attacked (raped) by her master, and when they’re staying at one plantation, two boys go into CeCe’s room with the intention of doing her and Earline harm. But nothing happens, and Uncle Alex offers no details on Earline’s past.
Conclusion: Ann Rinaldi’s shorter stories, like this, always end somewhat abruptly. The Reader knows that the protagonist’s life continues, but our observation of the person’s life has now ended. It’s a very realistic ending, and sometimes those sort of endings frustrate me, but with Rinaldi’s books, it always suits. I really liked The Ever-After Bird; it offered an interesting peek into plantation life, and it had many good characters.
Recommended Audience: Historical fiction fans, girl-read, most ages.
What I Liked: One thing I always love about this Author’s books is she can begin a story with a somewhat unlikable protagonist, and by the end of the story, you love her. CeCe is, at first, rather bratty and not the world’s most lovable girl. But as the story progressed, I really began to like her. I liked her more than Earline, who really was rather mean to her and provoked her without cause, though I could sympathize with her after everything she had been through. I really enjoyed watching her and CeCe’s relationship grow, and I loved the moment when CeCe tried to save Earline from a whipping. Uncle Alex was lovable from the start - he would be a great older brother.
What I Disliked: Nothing.
Believability: I’ve never had anything to complain about Ann Rinaldi’s historical details. She portrays slavery as it was without going into a tangent about how all white people were evil. She’s always been very good about portraying things fairly and truthfully for all sides. The Author’s Note was especially interesting to read, since she talked about how the character of Uncle Alex was inspired by two real-life people.
Writing Style: Ann Rinaldi has always been good with accents, and this book is no exception. She writes authentic and believable negro and Southern accents, bringing the characters to life.
Content: Uncle Alex tells CeCe that before Earline ran away, she was attacked (raped) by her master, and when they’re staying at one plantation, two boys go into CeCe’s room with the intention of doing her and Earline harm. But nothing happens, and Uncle Alex offers no details on Earline’s past.
Conclusion: Ann Rinaldi’s shorter stories, like this, always end somewhat abruptly. The Reader knows that the protagonist’s life continues, but our observation of the person’s life has now ended. It’s a very realistic ending, and sometimes those sort of endings frustrate me, but with Rinaldi’s books, it always suits. I really liked The Ever-After Bird; it offered an interesting peek into plantation life, and it had many good characters.
Recommended Audience: Historical fiction fans, girl-read, most ages.
April 15, 2010
Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com
If he hadn't been determined to help runaway slaves, he would still be alive. That's why CeCe McGill hates abolitionists. Her father devoted his life and their home to giving aid as part of the Underground Railroad, but it was also what ended his own life when he was shot. His death left CeCe an orphan.
When CeCe's uncle, a doctor and an artist, arrives after her father's death, she is nervous about leaving the only home she's ever known to live with him in Ohio. It doesn't take long for her to realize he has a kind and gentle soul. So why is it a surprise when she learns he is an abolitionist just like her late father?
The difference is that CeCe finds herself more directly involved in the abolitionist movement. Uncle Alex and his assistant, a young, black college student, are planning a trip to the South. Uncle Alex wants to study rare birds, and his assistant wants to research the institution of slavery for her studies at Oberlin College. CeCe is invited along for the adventure.
The three travelers must adhere to the behaviors and customs of the South. Uncle Alex's assistant, Earline, will be assuming the role of slave, and CeCe and her uncle must act in character as her owner and mistress. If they are discovered, the punishment could result in death. CeCe is well aware that her uncle will be doing more than just searching for the scarlet ibis know as the Ever-After bird. He will also be helping point slaves in the direction of freedom.
CeCe's adventure is filled with educational opportunities as she learns about the world of rare birds and the workings of slavery. She sees the hope of freedom, but it is often colored with the tragedy of abusive treatment and even death. All she hopes is that they survive and, in some small way, make the world a better place.
Ann Rinaldi is well known for her historical fiction. THE EVER-AFTER BIRD paints a unique picture of slavery in the South, and the fight fought by brave individuals who wanted to see its end. Her descriptions compare the gentle refinement of the South with the startling reality of life behind the grand plantation houses and blooming magnolia bushes.
If he hadn't been determined to help runaway slaves, he would still be alive. That's why CeCe McGill hates abolitionists. Her father devoted his life and their home to giving aid as part of the Underground Railroad, but it was also what ended his own life when he was shot. His death left CeCe an orphan.
When CeCe's uncle, a doctor and an artist, arrives after her father's death, she is nervous about leaving the only home she's ever known to live with him in Ohio. It doesn't take long for her to realize he has a kind and gentle soul. So why is it a surprise when she learns he is an abolitionist just like her late father?
The difference is that CeCe finds herself more directly involved in the abolitionist movement. Uncle Alex and his assistant, a young, black college student, are planning a trip to the South. Uncle Alex wants to study rare birds, and his assistant wants to research the institution of slavery for her studies at Oberlin College. CeCe is invited along for the adventure.
The three travelers must adhere to the behaviors and customs of the South. Uncle Alex's assistant, Earline, will be assuming the role of slave, and CeCe and her uncle must act in character as her owner and mistress. If they are discovered, the punishment could result in death. CeCe is well aware that her uncle will be doing more than just searching for the scarlet ibis know as the Ever-After bird. He will also be helping point slaves in the direction of freedom.
CeCe's adventure is filled with educational opportunities as she learns about the world of rare birds and the workings of slavery. She sees the hope of freedom, but it is often colored with the tragedy of abusive treatment and even death. All she hopes is that they survive and, in some small way, make the world a better place.
Ann Rinaldi is well known for her historical fiction. THE EVER-AFTER BIRD paints a unique picture of slavery in the South, and the fight fought by brave individuals who wanted to see its end. Her descriptions compare the gentle refinement of the South with the startling reality of life behind the grand plantation houses and blooming magnolia bushes.
March 18, 2011
Recently, after reading so many books re. the holocaust, I began to point fingers at the Germans, wondering just what kind of culture perpetrated such egregious violence against those whom they deemed less worth.
Then, I was snapped back to reality that cruelty and vile inhumanity isn't reserved merely for the Nazis. In fact, as I'm well aware, our country has a nasty, ugly history of barbarism.
My most recent read is one I highly recommend for many reasons, primarily because of the simple yet complex way in which Ann Rinaldi addressed the issue of American slavery and the culture that stoked the fires of injustice.
CeCe McGill is a young teen aged girl when her father, an abolitionist, is killed while helping slaves escape. Unkind to her, yet sensitive to the plight of slaves, her father risked his life to help others.
When her Uncle Alex is appointed her guardian, she learns he also is an abolitionist, but is wary of hypocrisy and doesn't trust him. As the story unfolds, a beautiful relationship develops.
Her Uncle is a doctor and an ornithologist who paints exquisite renditions of rare birds found in the south. When Cece accompanies her Uncle's and Erline, his black, educated assistant, traveling to Georgia in pursuit of the rare scarlet ibis, CeCe witnesses the horror of slavery.
Named the forever-after bird by slaves, it is thought that when this bird is spotted, those who are bound will be freed.
Accommodated at beautiful plantations, Earline must play the role of slave and CeCe must keep the secret that not only are they looking for rare birds, but in addition, they are providing guidance and resources for slaves to follow the Northern Star toward safety in the Underground Railway movement.
CeCe astutely observes the hypocrisy and cruelty of lily white rich plantation owners who claim to want what is best for society while brutally subjugating an entire population of people they feel inferior.
When black Earline falls in love with a white man, severe consequences occur and CeCe is left with a moral decision that will forever change her.
This is a beautiful multi-layered book with many themes.
Then, I was snapped back to reality that cruelty and vile inhumanity isn't reserved merely for the Nazis. In fact, as I'm well aware, our country has a nasty, ugly history of barbarism.
My most recent read is one I highly recommend for many reasons, primarily because of the simple yet complex way in which Ann Rinaldi addressed the issue of American slavery and the culture that stoked the fires of injustice.
CeCe McGill is a young teen aged girl when her father, an abolitionist, is killed while helping slaves escape. Unkind to her, yet sensitive to the plight of slaves, her father risked his life to help others.
When her Uncle Alex is appointed her guardian, she learns he also is an abolitionist, but is wary of hypocrisy and doesn't trust him. As the story unfolds, a beautiful relationship develops.
Her Uncle is a doctor and an ornithologist who paints exquisite renditions of rare birds found in the south. When Cece accompanies her Uncle's and Erline, his black, educated assistant, traveling to Georgia in pursuit of the rare scarlet ibis, CeCe witnesses the horror of slavery.
Named the forever-after bird by slaves, it is thought that when this bird is spotted, those who are bound will be freed.
Accommodated at beautiful plantations, Earline must play the role of slave and CeCe must keep the secret that not only are they looking for rare birds, but in addition, they are providing guidance and resources for slaves to follow the Northern Star toward safety in the Underground Railway movement.
CeCe astutely observes the hypocrisy and cruelty of lily white rich plantation owners who claim to want what is best for society while brutally subjugating an entire population of people they feel inferior.
When black Earline falls in love with a white man, severe consequences occur and CeCe is left with a moral decision that will forever change her.
This is a beautiful multi-layered book with many themes.
March 20, 2008
Ever-After Bird 6th + YA
Rinaldi, Ann
CeCe McGill, recently orphaned, becomes the ward of her uncle, Dr. Alex McGill. She does not know her uncle or his wife, Aunt Elise, well. Uncle Alex, like CeCe’s father, is a staunch abolitionist. Cece is uncomfortable with abolitionist ideas, not so much because she disagrees with these ideas, but because her father lost his life because of these beliefs. Soon CeCe finds herself traveling from Ohio to Georgia with her uncle and his assistant, Earline as Uncle Alex pursues his life-long dream of painting the rare scarlet ibis also known as the Ever-After bird. He has heard of a place in Georgia where the ibis can be found. Along the way CeCe sees first-hand the treatment of the slaves and outwardly condone this treatment. Although Earline is an educated and free black, she must travel as CeCe’s slave and is subjected to harsh treatment, often by CeCe herself, as they travel.
While I recommend this book for its engaging story and clear description of the treatment of slaves in the 1850s, I found the relationship between CeCe and Earline very disturbing. At times it seemed that Uncle Alex provoked the outbursts of jealously and physical scuffles between the girls for no understandable purpose. Sometimes Uncle Alex was inexplicably passive and at other times he seemed to focus unnecessarily on minor details in CeCe’s life. He was an enigmatic character whom I sometimes liked and at other times detested. Earline was even more difficult to understand. The violence that erupted between CeCe and Earline seemed to be unnecessary and gratuitous. When CeCe intervened to protect Earline the entire situation was beyond the bounds of credibility.
Rinaldi, Ann
CeCe McGill, recently orphaned, becomes the ward of her uncle, Dr. Alex McGill. She does not know her uncle or his wife, Aunt Elise, well. Uncle Alex, like CeCe’s father, is a staunch abolitionist. Cece is uncomfortable with abolitionist ideas, not so much because she disagrees with these ideas, but because her father lost his life because of these beliefs. Soon CeCe finds herself traveling from Ohio to Georgia with her uncle and his assistant, Earline as Uncle Alex pursues his life-long dream of painting the rare scarlet ibis also known as the Ever-After bird. He has heard of a place in Georgia where the ibis can be found. Along the way CeCe sees first-hand the treatment of the slaves and outwardly condone this treatment. Although Earline is an educated and free black, she must travel as CeCe’s slave and is subjected to harsh treatment, often by CeCe herself, as they travel.
While I recommend this book for its engaging story and clear description of the treatment of slaves in the 1850s, I found the relationship between CeCe and Earline very disturbing. At times it seemed that Uncle Alex provoked the outbursts of jealously and physical scuffles between the girls for no understandable purpose. Sometimes Uncle Alex was inexplicably passive and at other times he seemed to focus unnecessarily on minor details in CeCe’s life. He was an enigmatic character whom I sometimes liked and at other times detested. Earline was even more difficult to understand. The violence that erupted between CeCe and Earline seemed to be unnecessary and gratuitous. When CeCe intervened to protect Earline the entire situation was beyond the bounds of credibility.
July 10, 2013
I thought that the book was really good. Ann Rinaldi always writes with great detail and researches phenomenally! The one thing that bugs me about her writing is that the character always does the right thing, unless it endangers her friends and family to do so. That does make the relatability factor go down a bit, i think. I've never read a book of hers where the character doesn't do the right thing even when they could have. Still, a very enjoyable book.
Earline was depicted as the villain for a good portion of the book, which sort of ticks me off, but I do like that she had a background that made her like that and had reasons for her personality to be sort of standoffish and mean to CeCe. Their relationship did seem to grow hugely in a small period of time, especially with CeCe treating her like a slave and even slapping her once.
Uncle Alex was a great character. He was so kind and fair, although he did kill birds. He was possibly a bit too likable to be realistic, and CeCe's dad a little but too much of a tyrant to be true.
Some people would say that they don't like how CeCe's family issues and personal problems seem to be almost more important than the slavery she is around at times, (especially in the beginning when she didn't care about the abolitionist movement) but I say that for a teenage girl, it's really quite common for our troubles to appear the most daunting and most important in our minds.
The ending was realistic; I'm glad she and Robert never married. That would have been SO... unrealistic.
All in all, a good read for tweens and teens. But then again, in my opinion, Ann Rinaldi's writing always is.
Earline was depicted as the villain for a good portion of the book, which sort of ticks me off, but I do like that she had a background that made her like that and had reasons for her personality to be sort of standoffish and mean to CeCe. Their relationship did seem to grow hugely in a small period of time, especially with CeCe treating her like a slave and even slapping her once.
Uncle Alex was a great character. He was so kind and fair, although he did kill birds. He was possibly a bit too likable to be realistic, and CeCe's dad a little but too much of a tyrant to be true.
Some people would say that they don't like how CeCe's family issues and personal problems seem to be almost more important than the slavery she is around at times, (especially in the beginning when she didn't care about the abolitionist movement) but I say that for a teenage girl, it's really quite common for our troubles to appear the most daunting and most important in our minds.
The ending was realistic; I'm glad she and Robert never married. That would have been SO... unrealistic.
All in all, a good read for tweens and teens. But then again, in my opinion, Ann Rinaldi's writing always is.
August 17, 2010
This book was very good. An orphan, her uncle, and her uncle's assistant who is a runaway slave visit several plantations in Georgia in the search of a bird that the slaves call the Ever-After bird. It is given this name because they believe that if they see one they will be free ever-after. The girl's name is CeCe and has grown about around her abolitionist father and doesn't see why he wanted to risk his life for people he didn't even know. So her uncle's plan is to take her on this trip to all the plantations so that she can understand why he too wants to help the slaves. A lot of really horrendous things happen to both her and her uncle's assistant, Earline, on this trip. CeCe witnesses a doctor who uses the slaves to experiment on. There are also the sons of one their hosts who make unwanted advances towards both CeCe and Earline and Uncle Alex must intervene to save their virtue. Towards the end they are on the worst plantations they have yet been to. When the overseer finds out that Earline, who has been pretending to be CeCe's "girl", has married a white man. The overseer, Bench, has both tied up and when he attempts to whip Earline CeCe intervenes as is whipped herself. I was very moved by CeCe's sacrifice for Earline. The two had started out not liking each other at all and now she stands up for her against a deep injustice. I loved this whole story and was even in tears at the end. I hope to someday write a story as moving as the ones that Ms. Rinaldi writes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2016
The events of the book take place in 1851.
Ce Ce's , thirteen, parents are dead and she goes to live with her Uncle who paints birds. Her father was an abolitionist, but he was also a very cruel man and was a horrible father to Ce Ce. He's also against slavery, and he takes Ce Ce and a black girl who is studying under him with him to the South. Her Uncle visits plantations, using the cover of finding and painting birds for his real work, which is talking to slaves and showing them what path to take to run away to freedom.
Ce Ce grows considerably in the book in the way she views blacks. She also sees some sights that are really rough for a young girl, and she has to pay a price for what she learns and who she decides to protect.
The book gives a really good view of just how horrible conditions were on some of the plantations for the slaves there. They were property, period, without rights of any kind, and they could be treated either kindly (but still be slaves), or they could be beaten, whipped and even killed. This is all brought quite vividly to life.
Not only is this an excellent book in itself, but it also does a great job of showing the horrors of slavery.
Absolutely a must read.
Ce Ce's , thirteen, parents are dead and she goes to live with her Uncle who paints birds. Her father was an abolitionist, but he was also a very cruel man and was a horrible father to Ce Ce. He's also against slavery, and he takes Ce Ce and a black girl who is studying under him with him to the South. Her Uncle visits plantations, using the cover of finding and painting birds for his real work, which is talking to slaves and showing them what path to take to run away to freedom.
Ce Ce grows considerably in the book in the way she views blacks. She also sees some sights that are really rough for a young girl, and she has to pay a price for what she learns and who she decides to protect.
The book gives a really good view of just how horrible conditions were on some of the plantations for the slaves there. They were property, period, without rights of any kind, and they could be treated either kindly (but still be slaves), or they could be beaten, whipped and even killed. This is all brought quite vividly to life.
Not only is this an excellent book in itself, but it also does a great job of showing the horrors of slavery.
Absolutely a must read.
June 16, 2017
I was amazed at how I got into this book. The story takes place in the south during pre-civil war time. CeCe and her abolitionist/ornithologist uncle set on a journey from Ohio to find, study, and paint the Ever After Bird (which is symbol to the slaves that freedom will soon be theirs'). Along the way CeCe discovers herself and comes to understand all the harsh and cruel lives the slaves live. In the end she defends her uncle's assistant who is a free black woman and she ends up getting whipped along with the assistant. Her Uncle swoops in and saves her but not before her she receives several lashes of her own. He uncle does find the Ever After Bird and the slaves feel that freedom is soon to follow. The only down side to this book is that I felt the ending felt rushed. I wish the author would have put a little bit more detail into the ending of the story. Good book for junior high students.
December 21, 2018
Meh. Even though it was based on a real person, this book felt contrived (though I have been biased against episodic books since suffering through The Hobbit in middle school). The Doctor and his niece seem to visit a suspiciously neat number of representative plantations, and it seemed clear that incidents from research were shoe-horned into each visit (from the boy put in a fire pit in the name of "science" to the widow whose slaves protected her from another slave). Most of the themes in this book were negative, even to the main character's unloving, adulterous father. Most appalling, however, was the admission in the afterward that most of the stories in the book are white-washed.
In its favor, though, the characters are unusual in this genre: formerly abused white girl; free black girl who taunts the white girl and is in love with a white man; mild-mannered doctor/ornithologist/abolitionist. The idea goes as far as it can.
In its favor, though, the characters are unusual in this genre: formerly abused white girl; free black girl who taunts the white girl and is in love with a white man; mild-mannered doctor/ornithologist/abolitionist. The idea goes as far as it can.
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January 5, 2009 I was eager to read this novel as of I've read several other of Ann Rinaldi's works. It was an amazing book and I give it five stars. The plot, where the main character gets an inside look at slavery and has to decide her future, was great. I could barely put this down. I also loved that Rinaldi put so much information into it so that it was educational and interesting. For example, she described how a rice plantation was a lot different than a cotton plantation.In addition, this book had very good character development. This was what made the story so good because ot really affected the plot. The author has a real talent for bringing history to life. Ann Rinaldi is one of my favorite authors and I would suggest this book especially to historical fiction lovers, but also to anyone who thinks history in books is "boring".
December 17, 2009
CeCe is a fourteen year old girl who is an orphan and goes to live with her aunt and uncle in Ohio. Her father was an abolitionist and her uncle is as well. CeCe accompanies her uncle and former slave, Earline on a trip to the South in search of the the rare scarlet ibis. Her uncle is a doctor and ornithologist. While searching for the bird, Uncle Alex secretly tells slaves about the Underground Railroad and how to escape slavery. This book certainly does a good job of depicting the horrors of slavery and life on the plantations of the South, but I felt that the book got muddied up with the story of CeCe's cruel father and other family secrets. There is an author's note about the real people that Uncle Alex is based on. Rinaldi also includes a bibliography of the sources she used in her research.
June 5, 2017
This book is set in the 1800's and is a story about a little girl that goes on a trip with her uncle through the south so he can hunt for a certain bird, however, when they are traveling, she learns her uncle is also an abolitionist and is using his trip as a cover to help slaves learn how to escape and to offer them resources they need to get away from their plantations.
I enjoyed this book even though, at times, it was emotionally hard to read. I learned a lot about what slaves went through during those times and also the ways that the few people tried to help them. I learned about relationships between families at that time and how the slaves were dealt with. This book was written in a way that made me feel like I was right next to the characters, going through their journey with them.
(Historical Fiction)
I enjoyed this book even though, at times, it was emotionally hard to read. I learned a lot about what slaves went through during those times and also the ways that the few people tried to help them. I learned about relationships between families at that time and how the slaves were dealt with. This book was written in a way that made me feel like I was right next to the characters, going through their journey with them.
(Historical Fiction)
June 24, 2008
CeCe's father is killed for helping runaway slaves and she is sent to live with her uncle. Uncle Alex is a physician, an orninthologist and an abolitionist. He asks CeCe to accompany him South on a birding expedition, which is also a foil for helping slaves run away. Alex hopes that CeCe will begin to understand abolitionism and why slavery was wrong.
Ann Rinaldi is good at researching whatever topic she writes about, but sometimes her books have a hard time working for the intended audience. This will be a hard book to sell to teens, unless they are required to read a historical fiction book. And that is too bad, because the ending of the book is very exciting and really drew me in. But the first 3/4 of the book drug along.
Ann Rinaldi is good at researching whatever topic she writes about, but sometimes her books have a hard time working for the intended audience. This will be a hard book to sell to teens, unless they are required to read a historical fiction book. And that is too bad, because the ending of the book is very exciting and really drew me in. But the first 3/4 of the book drug along.
June 3, 2015
This books gives a good look into pre-Civil War plantation life in the South and the Underground Railroad. I always appreciate a book that can show history through an interesting fictitious plot. I recommend it for students who want to gain a greater understanding of slavery in the South, abolitionists, and the Underground Railroad. It could even be used for a little US geography. The book is recommended for ages 10+, but I thought there was some mature content in it, including a reference to rape. Be prepared to discuss this. I would recommend it for middle school and up.
November 9, 2015
I picked this book up on a whim while I was waiting for my son to finish up his library program and I started to read it and got caught up with it. I really did enjoy the book, I just wish the ending was a bit longer. I felt like the meat of the story was well written and developed but they needed to finish the book quickly so they just stopped and then as an after thought wrote a last chapter to try to finish the book and give the rest of the story of the characters. I would have liked it to be more developed for an ending. Other than that I thought it was a good book.
April 16, 2009
As CeCe travels with her uncle through the South searching for the ever-after bird, she discovers that her uncle is actively involved in helping slaves escape through the Underground Railroad. She learns to understand the choices that her father and uncle have made and what kind of person she wants to become. The characters in this book are wonderful and portray the whole range of human emotion.
May 29, 2009
Written from the point of view of a 13-year-old white orphan girl, The Ever-After Bird is an interesting story of slavery in the 1850's in the United States. The focus of the story is the girl, her Uncle, a doctor and the painter of birds, and a young runaway slave woman. They travel through the deep South in search of a rare bird. Cecelia, the young girl, experiences the cruel and injustice institution of slavery firsthand.
July 29, 2009
Rinaldi gives an interesting view point on slavery through the eyes of a young white girl. Her family are abolitionists. She has never understood why until her father is killed and her uncle takes her on a trip down south to find the Ever-After Bird. Her experiences of southern plantation life open her eyes to a new world of pain and sadness. She begins to understand her family's passion for helping the african-american people.
October 20, 2014
June 1, 2011: I continue on my quest to read Ann Rinaldi's historical fiction books. I am learning so much and gaining a greater appreciation for different times in the history of our country...and the people who lived during those times.
October 19,2014: I had forgotten that I had already read this book. I'm so glad that I read it again. Each of Ann Rinaldi's books teaches me not only about a time in history, but also about people.
October 19,2014: I had forgotten that I had already read this book. I'm so glad that I read it again. Each of Ann Rinaldi's books teaches me not only about a time in history, but also about people.
July 9, 2011
I enjoy Rinaldi's books, generally. I really liked the premise of this particular story and Rinaldi is good at creating characters with depth and layers of personal conflict and motivations. However, the writing itself often seemed academic--almost too basic and often repetitive. Also, there were parts of the story that seemed out of place and gratuitous--the protagonist's interest in the heir to a plantation, for example.
January 6, 2017
Since I teach Georgia history, I had been searching for books to supplement my lessons about the Civil War in Georgia. I came across Rinaldi's "The Ever-After Bird" and quickly became captivated by the historical facts she easily weaves into her story. It is difficult sometimes to help 8th graders understand slavery and the events that led to the Civil War, but I feel as though this book will give them a better understanding of many aspects of this historic time period.
July 3, 2012
Great for educators looking for a way to introduce students, esp female ones, to the horrors of pre civil war slavery. Has several references to female "monthly" times that may turn off boys. Also contains some bloopers. It's a pet peeve of mine to spot inconsistencies in books. Cece picks a bouquet of lilacs to take to the cemetery , but bouquet mysteriously becomes peonies when placed on the grave.
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