Wings

by William Loizeaux

At first it looks like a small gray ball of fluff, its head a cloud of frizzy feathers, fine as dandelion seeds. The baby bird isn't even strong enough to spread its wings, but ten-year-old Nick is determined to save it. Together with his best friend, he coaxes the wild bird he names Marcy to eat worms and take rides on their fingers. Then he watches, amazed, as she finally opens her wings - and flies! As Marcy grows, so does Nick - forced to make some hard choices about friends and family. And for the first time he dares to ask questions about the death of his soldier father. But other questions loom in the Will Marcy try to fly away? And will Nick be able to let her go?

Beautifully rendered drawings capture the poignancy and joy of this unforgettable story about growing up, loving, and letting go.

138 pages, Hardcover

Published September 5, 2006

About the author

William (Bill) Loizeaux’s third middle-grade children’s novel Into the Wind is forthcoming in March, 2021. Inspired by a feisty aunt who loved painting and sailing, the book is about an unlikely friendship between a ten-year-old boy and an elderly woman.

Bill is an award-winning author of books for children and adults, as well as stories and essays. His children’s novel Wings received the 2006 ASPCA Henry Bergh Award and was the 2006 Golden Kite Honor Book for Fiction. His memoir Anna: A Daughter’s Life was a New York Times Notable Book, and his novel The Tumble Inn was the grand prize winner at the 2015 New York Book Festival. He has been writer-in-residence at Johns Hopkins and Boston University. He lives with his wife in Washington DC.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing wrong with it, but not something I would have chosen for myself. LFL find, though, so I decided to give it a go. Anyway, others will like it more. I was reminded of Rascal.

[Bmack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Late one afternoon in June of 1960, Nick, a fatherless, 10-year old, happens upon an abandoned baby bird in the middle of the road. It is very tiny and weak but Nick is determined to save it. He takes it back to his house and his mother agrees to let him keep it in a box in the shed. Nick cares for this little mockingbird he names Marcy, with his best friend. They coax it to eat worms and take turns letting it ride on their fingers. Soon they watch in amazement as it flies for the first time. As this wild bird grows, Nick also grows as he faces some hard decisions he must make about family and friends. He begins to ask questions about his father who died in the Korean War when Nick was not even one year old. He learns the importance of family as he visits his grandfather in the nursing home and watches as his mother becomes interested in a man. He also learns lessons about who his real friends are. The true test of friendship between Nick and his bird occurs when Nick goes on vacation. He isn’t sure if Marcy will still be there when he returns. Find out what happens by reading Wings by William Loizeaux.

Short review:
Late one afternoon in June of 1960, Nick, a fatherless, 10-year old, happens upon an abandoned baby bird in the middle of the road. It is very tiny and weak but Nick is determined to save it. Nick cares for this little mockingbird he names Marcy, with his best friend. As this wild bird grows, Nick also grows as he faces some hard decisions he must make about family and friends. The true test of friendship between Nick and his bird happens when Nick goes on vacation and must decided what to do with Marcy.

[Chrissy Muller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found various social issues within this book that I feel were dealt with very delicately, yet thoroughly enough to give children with questions about these topics a satisfied answer. The boy in this book, Nick, who is ten years old finds a stray baby bird in the road one day home from mowing his neighbors lawn. He soon finds out that this ball of fluff is a Mockingbird, and he and his mother nurse it back to health. I think that children who experience loneliness or friendship issues could relate because they can confide in a pet. Early on in the story, Nick asks his mother how his father died, and she tells him that he died in the winter during the war. This social issue (single parent households) is a topic that many children face these days, and reading this story may help them cope better knowing that they're not alone. Nick also has social issues of his own, he doesn't have very many friends. I know of many children who could relate with him because they are quiet or shy, and therefore, I feel that they would like this story. I think that I would include this story in my classroom library if I were to be teaching grades 3-6, but probably not any younger. Even though my future students could relate to these problems, I don't think that they'd be able to comprehend the situations.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ten-year-old Nick finds a baby mockingbird during the summer of 1960 and nurses it to health. Nick names the bird Marcy, and the relationship the two share helps Nick come to terms with his widowed mother's new romance and the death of his grandfather. The first person account of a boy's relationship with a free, wild bird avoids anthropomorphism and personification. Readers and Nick clearly realize that his conversations with Marcy are merely within his mind, and readers will hurt with Nick when Marcy leaves to begin life as a mature mockingbird. The style is lyrical and entirely fitting. Teachers looking for a gentle read-aloud would do well to consider this fine title.

[Nicolas Robles]

I think this book was a good read in that the character was someone that i feel many students could relate to. Whether they were raised in a single parent household or if they have a pet or don't and are feeling a little lonely. I think a 4th an 5th grade class of students will be able to understand and appreciate this book a little more. The story makes you feel for the main character because you could also see yourself in his shoes. i would use this book in my class

[Rose]

JF Loi

[Charlou · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet story about a boy who saves and raises a mockingbird knowing at some point the bird will have to leave.

[Cws]

JAR5-Loi