The Fledglings

by Sandra Markle

After her mother's death, Kate goes to Snowbird Mountain to live with her grandfather Tsan, a Cherokee Indian chief, helps him save the eagles that live there, and grows to understand the importance of family. Original.

138 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Sandra Markle is the author of more than two hundred children's books, which have won numerous awards, including Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book, IRA/CBC Children's Choice, NSTA/CBC Outstanding Trade Books for Children, NCTE Orbis Pictus Recommended, and ALA Notable Books for Children. She lives in Lakewood Ranch, Florida and frequently travels to schools sharing her program "Sandra Markle's Books Are REAL Adventures."

Reviews

[Chris Bartal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd read some of Markle's non-fiction books, which are usually pretty interesting. This is her first novel, and it follows a teen whose mother has died. The main character, Kate, seeks out the paternal grandfather she's never met (as well as her own history) instead of going to live with her mother's sister.

The book, while a little slow to start, picks up speed as she faces challenges. One thing I can't get over is the lack of discussion of her mother's death. After having recent lost a family member, much of our conversations revolve around her and the loss we all feel. Kate seems to be saddened initially, but the focus really changes to her relationship with her grandfather. There's very little mention of Kate's grief. Maybe she doesn't have time to process it, but it seems conspicuously absent.

If you're interested in the region around Cherokee, North Carolina or Gatlinburg, Tennessee, you may enjoy this book.

[Kate Gorski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in elementary school and it contributed to my growing obsession with reading- there should be more reviews on this one it is excellent!