What do you think?
Rate this book
The Art of Flying
Fortuna Dalliance is practical. Rational. Clever. But when she finds herself at the doorstep of an adventure, she discovers something that has been inside her all along: the courage to step through.
The old Baldwin sisters are in trouble, and they've asked Fortuna to help them out of a fix. The sisters have accidentally turned a swallow into a boy, and he refuses to be turned back! But if Martin doesn't return to his original form within five days, he'll remain a boy forever . . . and the Baldwin sisters will have a lot to answer for. Fortuna's not sure she believes in magic, and once she's gotten to know Martin, she's not sure she wants him to be changed back. As Fortuna figures out what it truly means to be a friend, she must decide whose side she's on-before it's too late!
Judy Hoffman's debut, with delightful illustrations by Stephanie Graegin, weaves an enchanting tale of loyalty, freedom, and feathers.
The old Baldwin sisters are in trouble, and they've asked Fortuna to help them out of a fix. The sisters have accidentally turned a swallow into a boy, and he refuses to be turned back! But if Martin doesn't return to his original form within five days, he'll remain a boy forever . . . and the Baldwin sisters will have a lot to answer for. Fortuna's not sure she believes in magic, and once she's gotten to know Martin, she's not sure she wants him to be changed back. As Fortuna figures out what it truly means to be a friend, she must decide whose side she's on-before it's too late!
Judy Hoffman's debut, with delightful illustrations by Stephanie Graegin, weaves an enchanting tale of loyalty, freedom, and feathers.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published October 29, 2013
5 people are currently reading
153 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 8, 2017
This is a very nicely written book - but it never clicked for me. Maybe one of my children in class will like it more.
May 22, 2023
3.5
There isn't really anything outlandishly wrong in this book. It's a decently fun, short read that I think is well suited for a middle grade level. It's simple without feeling like it's basic or underestimating the reader. But throughout reading it, I just couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing. Like some of the other reviews have said, the book never quite clicked for me. Overall, I think the relationship building was a bit simplistic and lacked some of the depth that I had hoped for. It feels like a book that wants to consider what it means to be human, a kid, and to grow up, but never quite gets around to saying anything about those ideas.
I'm sure there will be some kids who love it and some kids who get bored after a chapter, but overall it's a book worth having in a classroom library.
There isn't really anything outlandishly wrong in this book. It's a decently fun, short read that I think is well suited for a middle grade level. It's simple without feeling like it's basic or underestimating the reader. But throughout reading it, I just couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing. Like some of the other reviews have said, the book never quite clicked for me. Overall, I think the relationship building was a bit simplistic and lacked some of the depth that I had hoped for. It feels like a book that wants to consider what it means to be human, a kid, and to grow up, but never quite gets around to saying anything about those ideas.
I'm sure there will be some kids who love it and some kids who get bored after a chapter, but overall it's a book worth having in a classroom library.
December 31, 2017
I picked this book up because of the beautiful cover and because the story line promised to mix magic and the real world. The protagonist, Fortuna, is thrown into the world of magic when two witches, sisters Selena and Ellie, accidentally turn three birds into humans. Fortuna befriends one of the birds and struggles with doing what is right for her new friend. The book has some action and is well-written, but honestly it never really hooked me. I picked up the book in November of 2016 and it took me until December of 2017 to finish it do to my lack of interest.
August 8, 2019
I really enjoyed The Art of Flying. It was one of those books that kept interrupting my thoughts during the day. One of those books that you plan to read for 10 minutes before bed, but when you glance at the clock after a couple of minutes of reading, it's over an hour later. It was fast-paced, intriguing, magical, fun, touching, and poetic. My kind of book. It doesn't hurt that I absolutely adore birds, so my imagination was only too happy to get on board.
June 20, 2022
I was drawn to this books beautiful cover. Had no idea it was a children's novel. It's perfect for kids around 10-12 years old and is absolutely heartwarming. Its filled with magic and its whimsical. Loved the friendship the characters had and the characters had a lot of charm. It was a bit too lighthearted for me as I found myself falling asleep a few times while reading but then again I am an adult. I highly recommend for the young reader though.
March 6, 2024
This is a fun fantastical story with very relatable characters.
It was very entertaining.
By the time I reached the end, I wanted just one more golden nugget as a close to the story.
But overall it was a great read and many young readers will be very engaged.
It was very entertaining.
By the time I reached the end, I wanted just one more golden nugget as a close to the story.
But overall it was a great read and many young readers will be very engaged.
March 4, 2019
i think that this book is about art.
July 20, 2021
Very cute. I couldn’t put it down until i finished it. Definitely recommend for a vivid imagination.
August 14, 2016
Rating: 3.75 Stars
"The Art of Flying" is a sweet little book. It's author Judy Hoffman's debut novel, who, in her bio, says she "especially loves stories combining magic and real life." That's what this middle-grade novel does - and does well.
It follows Fortuna Ariel Dalliance (aka "Charlie", after "Charlie the Tuna"), who is about to turn twelve-years-old. As the story begins, she's experiencing all of the trouble that comes with growing-up. She's awkward. She has glasses. She's a little bit shy. She likes writing and drawing in her notebook. She doesn't make friends easily. Her one friend, a boy named Peter, has been distant lately - he seems to prefer the company of "the guys" these days and is always leaving Fortuna behind. These problems are her biggest worries, though. For the most part, she's a fairly happy, healthy, safe, well-adjusted kid. She's not an orphan; she's not abused; she's not neglected. Her parents are kind and attentive (and she has two of them), her older brothers tease her and are completely obnoxious (but not malicious). This isn't a "problem" book, which I respect. It's important that those issues are given voice in literature. As a child of divorce, I know how important it is when you're a kid to recognize your situation in your reading material and feel like you're in good company - but not every book has to address a heavy, weighty topic. Some books can be light - lighter than air.
Of course, there's a conflict. There has to be a conflict in order for there to be a story at all. The trouble comes when Fortuna's mother tells a pair of reclusive old women who live in a big, spooky house in town that Fortuna can be of service to them. They need her help with their "nephew" Martin, a boy just about her age. Presumably, they aim to find him a friend, as he's kind of a weird kid. As it turns out, the reason he's weird is that he's not a kid at all: he's a bird who the Baldwin sisters (a pair of witches banished by their coven to live in exile) accidentally turned into a boy. What they want from Fortuna is for her to use her youthful charms to convince Martin to let them turn him back into a bird, since species transformations are EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN by the Council. They believe they need Martin's willing compliance in order to rectify the situation and avoid further punishment & ostracization. But Fortuna learns that Martin needs her help, too. He's looking for his brother - and trying to avoid a creepy guy dressed all in brown who seems to mean him harm. What's best for Martin? What's best for Fortuna? Where do her allegiances lie? Will she do what's right, or try to hang onto her newfound friend, even if it means grounding him forever?
I loved Fortuna. I loved that she had a weird name (a plight I'm sympathetic to - "Alyisha" is not the easiest of names to bear). Her mother's a strong believer that "an usual name brings unusual results" (11). I can't argue with her reasoning, and I suppose I should be thankful for my strange spelling. I loved that the way we're introduced to her is with her complaining about being freezing (another predicament in which I often find myself). I loved Fortuna's dad, too: a scatterbrained musician, who plays the trumpet professionally and does a lot of day-sleeping. Hoffman's got a talent for creating likable (and unlikable) characters.
The birds we're introduced to are a fun bunch, too. Normally I don't like books where I'm made to read about talking, sentient animals (it's usually way too cutesy & gimmicky for me), but I liked Macarba the Crow (like "macabre", and "caw", and "abracadabra"), and Pip, and Screech, and Speaker Owl. They had just the right amount of personality and the story didn't focus too deeply on them. I also really enjoyed that the group of them were called "The Featheren." Clever wordplay.
My only complaints are that the transitions from chapter-to-chapter or scene-to-scene were sometimes a little clunky, and phrases were sometimes repeated (the witches, Selena in particular, do a lot of "winking"). We also never learn what the Baldwins were banished for in the first place. I'm fairly certain "The Art of Flying" is a standalone novel, so it doesn't make sense to leave such a question unexplored or unresolved. But for the most part, "The Art of Flying" was beautifully-written. I'll be eager to get my hands on Hoffman's sophomore effort, and will definitely be recommending this one to magic-loving kids at the library.
"The Art of Flying" is a sweet little book. It's author Judy Hoffman's debut novel, who, in her bio, says she "especially loves stories combining magic and real life." That's what this middle-grade novel does - and does well.
It follows Fortuna Ariel Dalliance (aka "Charlie", after "Charlie the Tuna"), who is about to turn twelve-years-old. As the story begins, she's experiencing all of the trouble that comes with growing-up. She's awkward. She has glasses. She's a little bit shy. She likes writing and drawing in her notebook. She doesn't make friends easily. Her one friend, a boy named Peter, has been distant lately - he seems to prefer the company of "the guys" these days and is always leaving Fortuna behind. These problems are her biggest worries, though. For the most part, she's a fairly happy, healthy, safe, well-adjusted kid. She's not an orphan; she's not abused; she's not neglected. Her parents are kind and attentive (and she has two of them), her older brothers tease her and are completely obnoxious (but not malicious). This isn't a "problem" book, which I respect. It's important that those issues are given voice in literature. As a child of divorce, I know how important it is when you're a kid to recognize your situation in your reading material and feel like you're in good company - but not every book has to address a heavy, weighty topic. Some books can be light - lighter than air.
Of course, there's a conflict. There has to be a conflict in order for there to be a story at all. The trouble comes when Fortuna's mother tells a pair of reclusive old women who live in a big, spooky house in town that Fortuna can be of service to them. They need her help with their "nephew" Martin, a boy just about her age. Presumably, they aim to find him a friend, as he's kind of a weird kid. As it turns out, the reason he's weird is that he's not a kid at all: he's a bird who the Baldwin sisters (a pair of witches banished by their coven to live in exile) accidentally turned into a boy. What they want from Fortuna is for her to use her youthful charms to convince Martin to let them turn him back into a bird, since species transformations are EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN by the Council. They believe they need Martin's willing compliance in order to rectify the situation and avoid further punishment & ostracization. But Fortuna learns that Martin needs her help, too. He's looking for his brother - and trying to avoid a creepy guy dressed all in brown who seems to mean him harm. What's best for Martin? What's best for Fortuna? Where do her allegiances lie? Will she do what's right, or try to hang onto her newfound friend, even if it means grounding him forever?
I loved Fortuna. I loved that she had a weird name (a plight I'm sympathetic to - "Alyisha" is not the easiest of names to bear). Her mother's a strong believer that "an usual name brings unusual results" (11). I can't argue with her reasoning, and I suppose I should be thankful for my strange spelling. I loved that the way we're introduced to her is with her complaining about being freezing (another predicament in which I often find myself). I loved Fortuna's dad, too: a scatterbrained musician, who plays the trumpet professionally and does a lot of day-sleeping. Hoffman's got a talent for creating likable (and unlikable) characters.
The birds we're introduced to are a fun bunch, too. Normally I don't like books where I'm made to read about talking, sentient animals (it's usually way too cutesy & gimmicky for me), but I liked Macarba the Crow (like "macabre", and "caw", and "abracadabra"), and Pip, and Screech, and Speaker Owl. They had just the right amount of personality and the story didn't focus too deeply on them. I also really enjoyed that the group of them were called "The Featheren." Clever wordplay.
My only complaints are that the transitions from chapter-to-chapter or scene-to-scene were sometimes a little clunky, and phrases were sometimes repeated (the witches, Selena in particular, do a lot of "winking"). We also never learn what the Baldwins were banished for in the first place. I'm fairly certain "The Art of Flying" is a standalone novel, so it doesn't make sense to leave such a question unexplored or unresolved. But for the most part, "The Art of Flying" was beautifully-written. I'll be eager to get my hands on Hoffman's sophomore effort, and will definitely be recommending this one to magic-loving kids at the library.
January 17, 2015
Adventure begins immediately in The Art of Flying, as eleven-year-old Fortuna knocks on the door of the scary old house where the Baldwin sisters live. Sent to perform a favor at her mother’s bequest, Fortuna figures that at least it will impress her brothers that she went inside the scary old house. But as the sweet old aunts offer her cookies and tea, she finds their behavior and their request more than a little strange.
Behind the parlor curtains, a skinny tousled-hair boy in mismatched clothes stands “hopping and flinching” at the sight of the aunts’ fat cat. The aunts call him Martin, but Fortuna learns that Martin is not quite what he seems. Kind aunt Ellie performed some magic forbidden by the coven of witches, and now the aunts want Fortuna to help them reverse the spell. Her job is to remind this odd boy who “pecks at his biscuits” that he has to return to what he truly is: a bird.
Fortuna doesn’t believe in magic or witches or transformations from bird to boy, but when Aunt Selena tests her courage through a magic spell, Fortuna realizes her mother was wrong: “the Baldwin sisters were not sweet, little old ladies.” That’s when Martin escapes through a window and Fortuna’s adventure begin.
Fortuna is on a quest to find Martin and convince him to be a bird again, but Martin is on a quest to find his brother who has also been transformed into a human. Both quickly discover they are the target of someone else’s quest: Arrakis, the nasty owl turned into a man. He wants to capture both Martin and his brother, both now lost somewhere in the Woods.
In the meantime, the aunts are in trouble with the witches’ coven, and the Fourteenth Meeting of By Land, Sea, and Air, an order of birds, erupts into astonished chaos at rumors of their kinship running about as humans: “Lost our king, did he say?” “Trans-for-what?” “Missing three?” “An infamous tree?”
Hoffman’s adept dialogue adds humor and spark, and she keeps her prose neat and smooth throughout. Plot moves brilliantly, as the human world, bird world, and world of witches collide. The reader is treated to wonderful descriptions of talking birds, each with their own peculiar dialects and mannerisms, foibles and bravery. As the crow Macarba learns his enemy Arrakis has been made into a man, he engages the sparrow Pip to warn Speaker Owl of trouble: “Get back here, ya flibberty gidget. I have need of ye …Do you perchance know of Speaker Owl?” To which the sparrow bobs his head. “Everyone knows Mr. Owl, sir. He knew me dad, sir. Pip Senior. Not me.”
Little Pip hops and squeaks at notions of danger, quickly endearing the reader to both him and the strange, helpful crow. Throughout The Art of Flying, Hoffman creates humorous situations that vividly bring the bird world to life, and the world of witches resembles our human political structures often in funny ways. Martin and his brother are depicted with the charm of real sparrows, sitting side-by-side, nervously looking around, as birds do, and flitting about. Always on target, Hoffman’s prose provides just the right details to create full, vivid scenes and lively, authentic characters.
There’s a charm to Hoffman’s characters that I’m not sure I can explain. We’re immediately endeared to awkward, darling Martin, and we trust Fortuna to do what’s right and care for him. As a protagonist, Fortuna is daring and determined, though also in need of friends. A subplot follows the quest as her old friend Peter meets Martin’s brother, who tells Peter he can teach humans to fly. As the quest reunites Martin and his brother, it also reunites these two estranged friends, and their reunion brings them the best prospect of all, the potential to achieve every kid’s dream: to fly.
The Art of Flying keeps readers turning the page as each action has repercussions in the various worlds Hoffman creates, building layers of action that culminate in a final meeting of all three worlds. The reader has to follow along because the worlds are intriguing and the characters too endearing to leave behind.
Behind the parlor curtains, a skinny tousled-hair boy in mismatched clothes stands “hopping and flinching” at the sight of the aunts’ fat cat. The aunts call him Martin, but Fortuna learns that Martin is not quite what he seems. Kind aunt Ellie performed some magic forbidden by the coven of witches, and now the aunts want Fortuna to help them reverse the spell. Her job is to remind this odd boy who “pecks at his biscuits” that he has to return to what he truly is: a bird.
Fortuna doesn’t believe in magic or witches or transformations from bird to boy, but when Aunt Selena tests her courage through a magic spell, Fortuna realizes her mother was wrong: “the Baldwin sisters were not sweet, little old ladies.” That’s when Martin escapes through a window and Fortuna’s adventure begin.
Fortuna is on a quest to find Martin and convince him to be a bird again, but Martin is on a quest to find his brother who has also been transformed into a human. Both quickly discover they are the target of someone else’s quest: Arrakis, the nasty owl turned into a man. He wants to capture both Martin and his brother, both now lost somewhere in the Woods.
In the meantime, the aunts are in trouble with the witches’ coven, and the Fourteenth Meeting of By Land, Sea, and Air, an order of birds, erupts into astonished chaos at rumors of their kinship running about as humans: “Lost our king, did he say?” “Trans-for-what?” “Missing three?” “An infamous tree?”
Hoffman’s adept dialogue adds humor and spark, and she keeps her prose neat and smooth throughout. Plot moves brilliantly, as the human world, bird world, and world of witches collide. The reader is treated to wonderful descriptions of talking birds, each with their own peculiar dialects and mannerisms, foibles and bravery. As the crow Macarba learns his enemy Arrakis has been made into a man, he engages the sparrow Pip to warn Speaker Owl of trouble: “Get back here, ya flibberty gidget. I have need of ye …Do you perchance know of Speaker Owl?” To which the sparrow bobs his head. “Everyone knows Mr. Owl, sir. He knew me dad, sir. Pip Senior. Not me.”
Little Pip hops and squeaks at notions of danger, quickly endearing the reader to both him and the strange, helpful crow. Throughout The Art of Flying, Hoffman creates humorous situations that vividly bring the bird world to life, and the world of witches resembles our human political structures often in funny ways. Martin and his brother are depicted with the charm of real sparrows, sitting side-by-side, nervously looking around, as birds do, and flitting about. Always on target, Hoffman’s prose provides just the right details to create full, vivid scenes and lively, authentic characters.
There’s a charm to Hoffman’s characters that I’m not sure I can explain. We’re immediately endeared to awkward, darling Martin, and we trust Fortuna to do what’s right and care for him. As a protagonist, Fortuna is daring and determined, though also in need of friends. A subplot follows the quest as her old friend Peter meets Martin’s brother, who tells Peter he can teach humans to fly. As the quest reunites Martin and his brother, it also reunites these two estranged friends, and their reunion brings them the best prospect of all, the potential to achieve every kid’s dream: to fly.
The Art of Flying keeps readers turning the page as each action has repercussions in the various worlds Hoffman creates, building layers of action that culminate in a final meeting of all three worlds. The reader has to follow along because the worlds are intriguing and the characters too endearing to leave behind.
August 18, 2013
I read an ARC through Netgalley.
The Art of Flying is a children's book for kids who like to read and are interested in the idea of magic. It's definitely for a younger group of kids (maybe 10-12)and not young adult.
Two witches turn three birds (two sparrows and a mean owl) into humans to keep the owl from hurting the sparrows. Unfortunately, they have broken the rules of magic by doing so. When the magicked bird/humans scatter, they create a situation in which the witches can't hide their crimes, since all three must be together to be transformed back. The clock is ticking, as the transformations must happen within 5 days time. The witches enlist a young girl, Tuna (short for Fortuna) to help them.
I would have loved this book when I was ten. It as magic, but it seems innocent. There is no real horror, cursing or sex. Kids in this book are pretty smart, and there are talking birds. There is a feeling that there is a back story (always intriguing) but it does not get in the way of the plot at all. Sadie and her friend Peter are friends in the way that only young kids can be.
This is a gentle story, but it is lengthy. I will be recommending for my book - geeks, the ones who are willing to put some time into a great, moving story.
The adult in me loved this book as well. There is a scene in which Tuna and Peter get to fly with the bird boys which is great. There are some negotiations between the bird boys and the head-wizard that made my heart hurt thinking about the innocence of the young (trying to not spoil the plot here). Growing up sometimes just is sad, because so much innocence is lost.
The Art of Flying is a children's book for kids who like to read and are interested in the idea of magic. It's definitely for a younger group of kids (maybe 10-12)and not young adult.
Two witches turn three birds (two sparrows and a mean owl) into humans to keep the owl from hurting the sparrows. Unfortunately, they have broken the rules of magic by doing so. When the magicked bird/humans scatter, they create a situation in which the witches can't hide their crimes, since all three must be together to be transformed back. The clock is ticking, as the transformations must happen within 5 days time. The witches enlist a young girl, Tuna (short for Fortuna) to help them.
I would have loved this book when I was ten. It as magic, but it seems innocent. There is no real horror, cursing or sex. Kids in this book are pretty smart, and there are talking birds. There is a feeling that there is a back story (always intriguing) but it does not get in the way of the plot at all. Sadie and her friend Peter are friends in the way that only young kids can be.
This is a gentle story, but it is lengthy. I will be recommending for my book - geeks, the ones who are willing to put some time into a great, moving story.
The adult in me loved this book as well. There is a scene in which Tuna and Peter get to fly with the bird boys which is great. There are some negotiations between the bird boys and the head-wizard that made my heart hurt thinking about the innocence of the young (trying to not spoil the plot here). Growing up sometimes just is sad, because so much innocence is lost.
September 19, 2013
I read an advance copy of this book and it is definitely going on my niece and nephew Christmas list. It's the perfect blend of magic and adventure and should appeal to both girls and boys around 10-11 years old.
The premise is imaginative. A young bird is accidentally turned into a boy by two witch sisters who are already in trouble with the magic authorities. They are desperate to undo what they have done and call on a neighbor girl, Fortuna Dalliance, to help them.
The plot is clever and both Fortuna and Martin, the bird/boy, are well-drawn and likable. The author never loses track that this boy is really a bird and there are delightful descriptions of him trying to master a human body and overcome bird instincts at the dinner table. Fortuna is in the unenviable position of trying to explain her new friend's bad manners and peculiar behavior to her parents without telling them the real story.
The secondary characters, the other birds and witches and the requisite villain are appealing and add a lot to the story, especially the bickering witch sisters. They are modern and complex and add a nice dimension to the story.
Both Fortuna and Martin must face danger from the real world and the world of magic and the result is a compelling adventure story, as well as a story about friendship and growing up. It does not have the darkness and violence of the Harry Potter books, which I like, but it is suspenseful and easy for children to relate to, I think.
I look forward to hearing more from this author and hope to hear read more about Fortuna and the witches, as well.
The premise is imaginative. A young bird is accidentally turned into a boy by two witch sisters who are already in trouble with the magic authorities. They are desperate to undo what they have done and call on a neighbor girl, Fortuna Dalliance, to help them.
The plot is clever and both Fortuna and Martin, the bird/boy, are well-drawn and likable. The author never loses track that this boy is really a bird and there are delightful descriptions of him trying to master a human body and overcome bird instincts at the dinner table. Fortuna is in the unenviable position of trying to explain her new friend's bad manners and peculiar behavior to her parents without telling them the real story.
The secondary characters, the other birds and witches and the requisite villain are appealing and add a lot to the story, especially the bickering witch sisters. They are modern and complex and add a nice dimension to the story.
Both Fortuna and Martin must face danger from the real world and the world of magic and the result is a compelling adventure story, as well as a story about friendship and growing up. It does not have the darkness and violence of the Harry Potter books, which I like, but it is suspenseful and easy for children to relate to, I think.
I look forward to hearing more from this author and hope to hear read more about Fortuna and the witches, as well.
November 11, 2013
Fortuna meets Martin, an unusual, awkward boy who's staying with the Baldwin sisters. There's a reason he's strange...he's really a bird. The Baldwin sisters are witches who turned two swallows and an owl into humans. They're not supposed to be doing transformations like these since they can get into big trouble with the witches' council. They ask Fortuna to help them. With a deadline looming, the witches need to turn all three humans back into birds, or else they'll stay human forever and the witches will be severely punished.
Getting involved with Martin, Fortuna befriends him. She also finds out that the other swallow is his brother and the owl was an evil bird, Arrakis, who is now an evil man who wants to hurt the brothers. In the forest, Fortuna is a witness to Martin and his brother doing amazing things. Humans can fly. Also, there are birds watching and assisting them.
This story is a magical delight. I don't care much for animal characters, but I didn't mind them in this story. Fortuna is a great main character, someone who's kind and resourceful, and the other characters are well-written too. With the threat of Arrakis and the deadline, and all the surprises to be found with the brothers, this novel was quite suspenseful. I read this via NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.
Getting involved with Martin, Fortuna befriends him. She also finds out that the other swallow is his brother and the owl was an evil bird, Arrakis, who is now an evil man who wants to hurt the brothers. In the forest, Fortuna is a witness to Martin and his brother doing amazing things. Humans can fly. Also, there are birds watching and assisting them.
This story is a magical delight. I don't care much for animal characters, but I didn't mind them in this story. Fortuna is a great main character, someone who's kind and resourceful, and the other characters are well-written too. With the threat of Arrakis and the deadline, and all the surprises to be found with the brothers, this novel was quite suspenseful. I read this via NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.
November 18, 2013
The Art of Flying by Judy Hoffman
Disney-Hyperion, 2013
Fantasy
320 pages
Recommended for grades 4-6
I was drawn to this book because of the lovely cover and my love of birds. Right away readers are thrust into a magical mystery of how and why two sister witches transformed a young sparrow into a young boy.
Fortuna finds herself asked by the strange and creepy Baldwin sisters to convince the young boy that he wants to be turned back into a bird. The sisters think their spell won't reverse unless the boy wants to be turned back, and if they don't turn him back they are in loads of trouble with the witch counsel.
As layers are revealed we find out that an entire bird community is coming together to set things right too. Turns out 3 birds were transformed by the sisters, and two are missing. The spell will only be reversible if all three bird-humans are together at once, since they were together for the original spell.
I found the birds to be tiresome, finding myself not enjoying their portion of the storyline. Fortuna begins her mission of helping "Martin," but once she finds out she can fly with him she isn't so keen on helping him become a bird again. I wouldn't say it was captivating, and would assume that readers that need constant action will not make it to the end of this story.
Disney-Hyperion, 2013
Fantasy
320 pages
Recommended for grades 4-6
I was drawn to this book because of the lovely cover and my love of birds. Right away readers are thrust into a magical mystery of how and why two sister witches transformed a young sparrow into a young boy.
Fortuna finds herself asked by the strange and creepy Baldwin sisters to convince the young boy that he wants to be turned back into a bird. The sisters think their spell won't reverse unless the boy wants to be turned back, and if they don't turn him back they are in loads of trouble with the witch counsel.
As layers are revealed we find out that an entire bird community is coming together to set things right too. Turns out 3 birds were transformed by the sisters, and two are missing. The spell will only be reversible if all three bird-humans are together at once, since they were together for the original spell.
I found the birds to be tiresome, finding myself not enjoying their portion of the storyline. Fortuna begins her mission of helping "Martin," but once she finds out she can fly with him she isn't so keen on helping him become a bird again. I wouldn't say it was captivating, and would assume that readers that need constant action will not make it to the end of this story.
November 4, 2013
The Baldwin sisters are in trouble. Ellie has turned three birds into humans and now they can't find them. They enlist the help of Fortuna Dalliance, a young neighbor, to help them. Fortuna sets off on an adventure with Martin, the boy who was once a bird, to find his brother. She comes to really like Martin and doesn't want him to turn back into a bird. There is also the matter of the third bird/man, evil Arrakis the owl who was tormenting the brothers and the whole reason Ellie took such drastic measures. This book is filled with magic, witches, birds of all shapes and sizes and flying. Martin and his brother teach Fortuna and her friend Peter to fly, which deepens Fortuna's hesitation in turning Martin back to a bird. I really wanted to like this book more than I did. I don't think it is as charming or fantastical as it needed to be. Sure Martin and Fortuna are fun characters, but the book seemed to take itself just a little bit too seriously for the nature of the story. I wish it was more fun and a little less serious.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley.
September 29, 2013
Fortuna is asked by her mother to visit the weird old Baldwin sisters because they need some help. No one visits the Baldwin sisters because most kids think they are witches and they would be right in thinking that. What Fortuna finds is Martin their supposed nephew and she is asked to help with him since the Baldwins know nothing about children. Straight away they confess they are witches and Martin runs away sending Fortuna out to find and bring him back. Soon enough we find that Martin is not what he appears but is instead a transformed bird and human transformations are the worst transgressions a witch can perform. Fortuna befriends Martin and hopes he chooses to remain a boy but the council of witches has other plans. Lots of twists and turns keep the action moving. Read from an ARC with the publication date set for 10/13.
February 4, 2014
This book was beautiful, unique, and interesting.
I was drawn in by the cover and thought the synopsis sounded magical. I have a 7 and 5 year old, which are younger than the targeted audience, but they were my captive audience anyhow. I read it to my children at bedtime and they were as interested as I was.
The world is filled with magic and is innocent enough to not worry about the 'witches'. The mythology is facinating and I found myself as intrigued by what was happening just as my kids were.
We loved it and look forward to more by Judy Hoffman!
Recommended to both boys and girls - middle grade reading.
I was drawn in by the cover and thought the synopsis sounded magical. I have a 7 and 5 year old, which are younger than the targeted audience, but they were my captive audience anyhow. I read it to my children at bedtime and they were as interested as I was.
The world is filled with magic and is innocent enough to not worry about the 'witches'. The mythology is facinating and I found myself as intrigued by what was happening just as my kids were.
We loved it and look forward to more by Judy Hoffman!
Recommended to both boys and girls - middle grade reading.
November 23, 2013
I expected this book to be much more fun and was a little shocked ar how serious it turned out to be. Looking for a light-hearted children's/young adult novel, i was a little dissapointed. None-the-less, the premiss of the book was interesting. I liked the 3 crazy witches, who just expect her to figure out how to change a boy back into a crow.
January 10, 2014
Enjoyable fantasy story with witches, birds, friendships, and surprises. Grades 5-7
February 5, 2014
A great book for good readers, this story of Fortuna and her adventures with a transformed bird will delight. It moves leisurely, but the plot and relationships are compelling.
October 1, 2014
A perfect book for 8-12 year-olds to read this October. For my complete review: http://sunlitpages.blogspot.com/2014/...
October 14, 2014
This book was OK. I liked the fanciful names (and the Baldwin family only made me think of my mother's former piano). I found it more tolerably cute than the pink/purple-paged book.
March 9, 2015
thought provoking, a bit sad
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews