On a Wing and a Tear

by Cynthia Leitich Smith

A living legend roosting in the backyard. An unmissable game. A hair-raising mystery. A road trip full of adventure and danger. And all the overlapping circles that connect us throughout Creation.

Melanie “Mel” Roberts and Ray Halfmoon may be from different Indigenous Nations, but the friends have become like siblings since the Robertses moved in with the Halfmoons. And they soon welcome a distinguished guest: Great-grandfather Bat, whose wing is injured, has taken refuge in their old oak tree.

A rematch of the legendary Great Ball Game is coming up, with Bat as the star player. Grampa Charlie Halfmoon offers to drive Bat from Chicago down to the traditional playing field outside Macon, Georgia, and Mel and Ray are determined to help out.

Together, they all set off on a road trip—facing adventure, danger, and a hair-raising mystery—on the way to the historic game.

Genres: Middle Grade, Magical Realism, Fiction, Indigenous, Animals, Childrens, Humor

240 pages, Hardcover

First published September 17, 2024

About the author

Cynthia Leitich Smith is the New York Times bestselling, award-winning author and anthologist of more than 20 books for young readers. She was named a 2025 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award Candidate, the NSK Neustadt Laureate, Texas Literary Hall of Fame inductee, and winner of the Southern Miss Medallion for Outstanding Contributions in Children’s Literature. Cynthia has also been named to deliver the 2026 ALSC Children’s Literature Lecture. She is the author-curator of Heartdrum, a Native-focused imprint at HarperCollins Children’s Books, and served as the Katherine Paterson Inaugural Chair for the children’s-YA writing MFA program at Vermont College of Fine Arts. Cynthia is a citizen of the Muscogee Nation and lives in Texas.

Reviews

[BooksAsDreams (Tiffany) · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The land remembers you.”

I’m a huge fan of baseball, mystery, and road trips. This book has all of those elements.

Upbeat and vibey, this is a fun read.

[rachel x]

Interconnected to Smith's other books.

[TheNextGenLibrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The land remembers you.”
🦇
Mel and Ray are from different Indigenous Nations, but have become like siblings ever since Mel and her mom moved in with Ray and his grandpa. When Great-grandfather Bat, an esteemed elder winged-creature with an injury, seeks refuge in their old oak tree, their life becomes interesting. Bat, who can talk, needs help getting to Macon, Georgia so he asks the kids for assistance due to his injury. Grampa Charlie Halfmoon volunteers to take Bat and his squirrel friend so they can play the Great Ball Game rematch. Mel and Ray jump at the chance to spend their Spring Break on a road trip, but dangers and outsiders on the way make this trip a tough one.
🐿️
This was a MG modern folklore adventure story by @cynthialeitichsmith that brings in so much Indigenous culture, mystery, danger, history, and fun. Also pay attention to some Easter eggs from Smith’s other stories sprinkled throughout. Grab this for your upper elementary/lower middle school readers and make sure they utilize the glossary in the back. This title releases September 17!

CW: parental abandonment, death of a spouse (mentioned), parental death

3.5 ⭐️

[callistoscalling · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are lucky, some of the most cherished memories from childhood come from extended family and found family, both who are equal in the heart; Cynthia Leitich Smith beautifully captures this multigenerational bond in her new novel On a Wing and a Tear. Beyond sharing an intimate look at a family dynamic, Smith also shares a fascinating look into how Native people live in the United States today. A memorable and heartwarming road trip brings them all closer together to each other and to the land. On a Wing and a Tear was a captivating book that speaks to readers of all ages and strikes a chord of warmth and nostalgia.

[Josephine Sorrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

On a Wing and a Tear" is a middle grade novel of folklore. It’s where the animals can talk, and Grandfather Bat needs help from his neighbors to get to a rematch of the Great Ball Game.
Melanie “Mel” Roberts and Ray Halfmoon, are like siblings after she and her mom become housemates with a widower, Charlie Halfmoon, despite their different Indigenous backgrounds. They welcome Great-grandfather Bat into their lives and embark on a thrilling road trip with their injured guest. Grampa Halfmoon, who met Grandfather Bat when he was younger, takes the lead on the trip. So it’s Grandpa, Mel, Ray, (grampa’s grandson), Grandfather Bat and an enthusiastic Gray Squirrel on this adventure together. Along the way, they learn more about their relatives, their Grampa's past, and the Trail of Tears.

Readers will enjoy the humor and warmth of this road trip story involving baseball, silliness, mystery, suspense, history and even a bit of danger.

Best selling Children’s author Cynthia L. Smith is Muskogee and a Cherokee descendant.

This is a unique, fun and noteworthy tale.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book by Cynthia Leitich Smith (which I'm now regretting because apparently her books are interconnected?!) but it won't be my last. Part road trip, part mystery, this modern folklore story was entertaining and humorous and heartwarming and I really enjoyed it.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent middle grade road trip novel. Not only is it filled with adventure, but it has an added bonus of talking animals. The humans, who are Native American, have to help, great grandfather Bat get to the legendary ball game. Along the way, the humans learn and reconcile loss and change that is just part of growing up. There is one complete hilarious point of view from Chewy the dog that I particularly adored.

[Elna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ray and Mel are surprised when a bat calls out to them on their way to school one day, but take in a stride. It turns out that this is not just a normal bat, but the Bat, the hero of the legendary birds vs animals baseball game long ago! It's time for a rematch, but Bat has a tear in his wing and doesn't want to risk flying too far and aggravating it- hence him reaching out to Mel and Ray. As luck would have it, the baseball game is due to happen near the end of their spring break, and Ray's grandpa has recently reconnected with his high school sweetheart, and she lives along the way. But nothing is ever as easy as it sounds, and these road trippers will have to summon every ounce of their determination to ensure Bat gets to the playing field in time.

I really like the congenial tone of the storytelling, the beautiful window into contemporary Native American culture, and how supportive and welcoming everyone (mostly) is. And... that's about it :/

I was really hoping for more of a baseball focus, but this is really just a road trip story (a sweet one, but still). Ray and Mel don't feel quite realized- Ray always makes the right choice and Mel is always grumpy. Ray is almost too perfect, in fact; he's always "gently" correcting Mel or getting complimented by Bat and Grey Squirrel, or taking care of others. Grandpa Charlie is perfect, the relatives they meet along the way are perfect... it's a little jarring that Mel seems to be the only one to make mistakes/bad decision/have a bad attitude.

Despite there being a time limit (the start of the game), the story moves fairly slow, and the "villains" are not the most threatening, so there really isn't much tension. (How can Midas and Truly hear Bat talking? It's never actually stated anywhere but I made the assumption that either only Native Americans could communicate with animals, or that animals could choose who they communicated with- no one else hears Bat or Grey Squirrel!)

[It’s me · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Freewrite, just writing my thoughts about the book right after finishing it)

It’s an interesting story with good pacing. It’s nice to see some representation for indigenous people in literature, even in children’s literature. It doesn’t really go into depth regarding indigenous culture, but again, this isn’t the genre that would typically allow space for that (a non-fiction text about local indigenous groups written by a member of that group would be better for that). Personally, I would’ve preferred more fleshed-out characters. I feel like the conversation between Ray and his Uncle Leonard wasn’t as powerful as it could have been if the story would include a bit more details about him. Instead he was kind of… just there. He had a lot of potential, specially since the line he delivered ends up being related to the last line of the book.
Overall, interesting story. Good pacing. The squirrel and bat are an awesome team. I like the random Bigfoot appearance and the hints throughout the story, like the scent of “motor oil” and the knocking sounds. Even though I’d like more depth to the characters, I like that some aspects that aren’t important are left open (maybe hinting to another book), such as an implied Bigfoot species (because of the multiple unknown animal sounds in the night, plus Bat says there’s a mysterious species that “keep to themselves” and have a large communication network), the story of how Bat and the grandpa met (maybe that could be a separate book, when Grandpa is younger), and the details of Grandpa’s relationship with his first love, Georgia (I think it was more appropriate to leave it out, since this story focused more on Grandpa, Mel, and Ray).

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Earnest Native representation but also delightful; I think it has universal appeal. I don't particularly like the mystery aspect, but not only do I imagine that it adds to appeal for young readers, but it also adds further explorations on the nature of story, and other insights. The book includes back matter, too, though the glossary is incomplete and there's a least one word that I had to look up separately because I couldn't tell from context.

Native children will def. see themselves. All children and families will find something to appreciate... there's lots going on here and lots more just alluded to, for example when the grandfather muses to himself whether to share the history of Charles Curtis. (He decided not to at that time, but maybe your kid would like to do their next biographical research essay on Curtis.) But, yeah, there's stuff for all kids here, too, like the fact that Mel's dad does a lousy job of keeping in touch (I mean, is it really that hard to text your daughter once in awhile?).

Oh, and I liked that the bad guys were given their own stories. They are human, not cardboard caricatures.

"Remember that your grandparents and other senior citizens in your life were witnesses to history. They have fascinating stories to share."

"He briefly let himself mourn the planned [special event] and then let that go. The emptiness left behind quickly filled with anticipation as [he] turned his attention to his new goal."

Recommended for all classrooms grades 3-7, kids 8-13, and families.

[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

On a Wing and a Tear
by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Pub DateSep 17 2024
HarperCollins Children's Books |Heartdrum
Children's Fiction| Middle Grade


HarperCollins Children's Books and Netgalley provided me with a copy of On A Wing and a Tear to review:


There's a living legend roosting in the backyard. It's a game you shouldn't miss. There is something hair-raising about this mystery. A road trip filled with adventure and danger. All the overlapping circles that connect us throughout Creation.


Since Melanie "Mel" Roberts and Ray Halfmoon moved in with the Halfmoons, the friends have become like siblings. And they soon welcome a distinguished guest: Great-grandfather Bat, whose wing is injured, has taken refuge in their old oak tree.The old oak tree soon welcomes a distinguished guest: Great-grandfather Bat, whose wing is injured.

We're about to witness a rematch of the legendary Great Ball Game, with Bat as the star player. Grampa Charlie Halfmoon offers to drive Bat from Chicago down to the traditional playing field outside Macon, Georgia, and Mel and Ray are determined to help out.Mel and Ray are determined to help when Grampa Charlie Halfmoon offers to drive Bat from Chicago to the traditional playing field outside Macon, Georgia.



A road trip to the historic game takes them through adventure, danger, and a hair-raising mystery.

I Give On a Wing and A Tear five out of five stars!!!


Happy Reading!

[SOYAMRG · Rating 4 out of 5]

On a Wing and a Tear by Cynthia Leitich Smith is modern folklore.

Grandpa Halfmoon, his grandson Ray, and houseguest Mel embark on an Odyssey to take Great-Grandfather Bat and Gray Squirrel to a rematch of the Great Ball Game that pits animals against the birds. Of course, Great-Grandfather Bat and Gray Squirrel talk to other animals and humans. Prior to their journey, Mel gave a presentation to her fifth grade class about the Trail of Tears. Their Odyssey follows the Trail of Tears that reunites them with friends, relatives, and bad guys. The Buttinsky’s want Great-Grandfather Bat and Gray Squirrel for their sensational Podcast. Grandfather Halfmoon is a widower. Ray’s parents were killed when he was very young, and he doesn’t remember them at all. Mel’s parents are divorced, and her father has a new wife and children.

As in all quests, the trio learn an important lesson: “Change is the definition of life. There’s no escaping it.” Smith has done a remarkable job of incorporating Native culture, Native history, Native tribal membership, and prejudice against Native people.

I recommend the book for purchase for boys and girls in grades three through seven.

A typographical error appears on page 131: “On the that previous trip . . .”

C.S.
Ret. HS English Teacher

[Virginia McGee Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been fond of a smooth braid since I wore them growing up. Cynthia Leitich Smith created just that kind of braid with three plotlines threaded smoothly through to a delightful conclusion in her new book, On a Wing and a Tear. The first strand has Melanie “Mel” Roberts and Ray Halfmoon, who are from two different indigenous tribes, becoming friends when the Robertses become long term house guests with the Halfmoons.
The second strand is the Elder, Great-grandfather Bat, who turns up in their old oak tree with an injured wing. With a bit of a magical element, he talks and lets them know he must hurry to get to the legendary Great Ball Game since he is the star player.
The third strand has the widowed Grandpa Charlie Halfmoon volunteering to drive them from Chicago to the event in Macon, Georgia. Mel and Ray are intrigued, as the reader will be, with the possibility that he will rediscover his high school sweetheart from long ago on the route.
They set off on a trip that becomes filled with humor, unexpected events, a mystery, and that anticipated encounter with Grandpa’s old girlfriend. The story is cleverly braided together and is a good read for the middle graders for whom it was designed as well as people who just love a good story.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great road trip as kids from two different Indigenous Nations, Ray (Cherokee & Seminole) & Mel (Muscogee), who currently live together, travel with Ray's grandfather to get Great Grandfather Bat (who has a torn wing) back east for a rematch in the Birds v Bats battle. Grandpa Charlie also hopes to connect with an old flame.
A little more explication than would be perfectly smooth, but you get pulled into the story anyway, and the details may be necessary to the average reader. The addition of two YouTubers, the Buttinskys, who insert themselves into problems they create to gain followers, ups the tension of the story. The bat and squirrel are charmers and the animal voices they bring to the tale add humor and interest.
Both the kids are dealing wiht loss--Ray's parent died long ago, and Mel's dad has started a new family--and the trip is a step toward her dealing with her feelings about the Trail of Tears, about which she has just done a presentation for school.
Makes it clear that Native Americans are still here, modern but grounded in their hertitage.

[Kara Gemian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Middle grade just isn't my thing unless it is of the super weird or graphic novel variety. I read this for the mock Newberry awards at work and can see why it was chosen to be in the pool, but again it didn't do much for me.

I liked how the characters all talked about their indigenous backgrounds and how close they were as a family. It was nice how the trio dropped everything to help Bat, but also felt unrealistic? Obviously, it is a talking bat trying to get to a baseball game so it isn't realistic anyway BUT the 'yes, let's go right away' felt weird to me. Also, I'm not sure it was mentioned how Bat is Grampa's old friend? I would have liked more of that background.

The author's note at the end made me like the book a little more - I love when authors interconnect their books! Plus, her talk of circular nature is very interesting.

I'd recommend this one if you are a middle grade reader!

[Darla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two kids on a road trip with a grandpa and two talking animals -- a bat and a squirrel. What's not to like?

The goal is to visit family from their indigenous nation families while also transporting the bat elder to an important matchup of Animals vs. Birds.

There are moments of crisis and those of comedy along the way. The route begins in Chicago and heads west on I-80, then south on I-35 into NE Kansas. Those roads are very familiar to me. From Kansas, the route goes into Oklahoma and then SE to the Atlanta area.

In pursuit is a wannabe Youtuber and a mysterious tall, hairy someone. Who could it be?

Cynthia Leitich Smith has given us a family-friendly folklore tale that will warm your heart and remind you of the plight of those who live among us with indigenous ancestors.

Thank you to Heartdrum by HarperCollins and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

[Bethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Art can be healing and offer hope
Mel and mom move in with grandfather halfmoon and Ray in Chicago
Bat likes how humans used tools better than otters, crows but at far greater cost to the land
Bandit considered himself a debonair ferret of leisure
Grampa Halfmoon: folks are more likely to click a video of a dustup than a video of somebody doin’ the everyday work to make the world better.
Gray squirrel posing as splooting
Ray said it’s Oklahoma, don’t you know anybody with a truck?
Keep ahead of the buttinskys and get Bat to the ball fields in time for the game
Only animals and birds can attend game but they visited the Muskogee land of Mel’s heritage and will take grey squirrel back to Chicago with them after the game
Great final line!
Author note on importance of circles in life connecting good and bad
modern folklore, not fantasy mentioned in end note

[Therearenobadbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun and unique magic realism road trip journey with a talking pair of animals.

"Folks are more likely to click a video if a dustup than a video of somebody doin' the everyday work to make a better world." 

Road trip grandpa and kids taking an injured talking Bat and a talking squirrels south so Bat can catch up on his trip. Bit he gets kid... batnapped. They get him back, and it's time to hit the road again. 

Native people and native nations. 

Indigenous family. We get little hints and peculiar facts from the locations they cross, fun. Also, reconnection with their culture. Home if her ancestors. 

"She was French, Obama, and Muscogee by heritage -- American and Muscogeeby citizenship. (...) The land remembers you." 

[Jennybeast · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gentle adventure with returning favorites Ray and Grandpa Halfmoon, some new friends -- Mel and her mother, Bat, Squirrel, and an epic road trip to ancestral lands for a very special ball game. There are a lot of important, hard truths that recur throughout the story -- reminders of displacements, poverty, the continuous disconnect between Native values and American greed. These are mitigated by the strength of the relationships in the book -- friends, family, newly rediscovered old connections and a surprising ask from the animals. There are some shocking developments, but for the most part it's a slow mellow book full of people and animals who care for one another, with characteristic humor throughout.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Cynthia Leitich Smith’s ON A WING AND A TEAR, Mel and her mother share a home with her best friend Ray and his Grandpa Halfmoon. After Ray and Mel discover injured Great Grandfather Bat in a tree in their yard, they embark on an epic spring break road trip with Grandpa Halfmoon to help the bat reach the rematch of the storied Animals vs. Birds ballgame. The trip includes reconnecting with family members and native lands, reuniting Grandpa Halfmoon with a past love, and evading and outsmarting a pair of wannabe YouTubers. Middle grade modern folklore featuring wonderful cross-generational relationships, reflection on native culture and history, and a bit of magic, make this a road trip not to be missed!

[Lauren Bayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This modern folklore tale is filled with so much goodness: sports, history, and a deep respect for animals. Indigenous kids will particularly appreciate the representation, and non-Indigenous kids will learn a lot without being talked down to. The third-person omniscient POV takes a moment to get used to, but it's an interesting method for telling this road-trip story.

This book is a Reader Selector for the Mark Twain Award in Missouri. While this novel is not as flashy as some of the other reader selectors, I think it makes a really good story, and I think it should have a spot on the list :)

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Edelweiss+ for granting me access to this ARC. This is another gem by Cynthia Leitich Smith. I love her "extended universe" with shared characters and stories throughout her books. This one was really fun, basically combining a realistic fiction road trip saga with an animal fantasy story (more folk tale than fantasy though, as CLS writes in her author's note). Her writing is always so earnest and heartfelt, and her devotion to promoting not just her own writing but other Indigenous authors as well is sorely needed in the current landscape of children's literature. Highest of recommendations, in addition to all her other children's books.

[Chris G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great-Grandfather Bat needs to travel from Chicago to the southeast to participate in a Birds v. Animals rematch of a historic game from the past. An injured wing leaves the Bat in need of some human help and he’s been recuperating in a tree next to the home of Ray, his Grandpa Halfmoon, and friends Mel and her mom who are sharing housing with them. Grandpa, the kids, and the animals set off on an epic road trip with some madcap adventure and lots of loving and helpful support from family along the way. Muskogee and Cherokee history are seamlessly incorporated. EARC from Edelweiss.

[Yapha · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Great Grandfather Bat needs to get to the rematch of the Animals vs Birds game but has a tear in his wing, Ray and Grandpa Charlie (from Indian Shoes) jump right in to help. Joining them on the roadtrip is Ray's friend Mel and Gray Squirrel. As they travel across the country they stop to see family and friends, have a few mishaps, and meet some helpful (and not so helpful) strangers. This was a great road trip novel exploring family, heritage, and how we fit in the world. Highly recommended for grades 4 & up.

eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss & NetGalley

[Deena Lipomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

When an injured Bat asks for help getting to an annual animal baseball game, humans Mel, Ray, and Grampa Charlie Halfmoon spend spring break driving them -- and Grey Squirrel -- from Chicago to Georgia. I love a good road trip book, and those who also enjoy talking animals and folktale vibes will like this book. The writing feels a bit dry in places, possibly bc of the omniscient narrator that doesn't get into any one character too deeply. Plus the caper is not that gripping. But it is a nice story.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Animals and Birds are having a rematch of their great tournament. Great-grandfather Bat needs to be their for it as he is an all star player for the Animals. However, he is recovering from a wing injury after a run-in with a chain link fence. He convinces Mel, Ray, and their grandfather Charlie to take him on the road trip from Chicago to the southwest for the big game. Unfortunately at one point Bat is kidnapped and needs to be rescued so he can still make it to the game in time! Love the seamless incorporation of Cherokee and Muskogee history.

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

No surprise, this is yet another terrific read for middle grade from Cynthia Leitich Smith, one that weaves Native Nation information and bits of indigenous language throughout a thoroughly entertaining and important story. The author note at the back reveals the many layers of teachable patterns within the various lives portrayed. There is humor and suspense and ... A ROAD TRIP!
The magical elements involves animals, but the quirky, fun narrative voice addresses readers rdirectly about that (and other issues) in ways that bring a smile and a knowing wink.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story with magical qualities as the "wing" literally is Grandpa Bat, but there's also a squirrel and a car of several others who are trying to make it to a baseball game. During that time, with all of the travails that await a road trip with animals and humans, there is plenty of goofy humor, serious talk about their Indigenous heritage (past, present, and future), and a hope that all will be a positive bonding adventure.

It's a curious but fun one.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great-Grandfather Bat has been challenged to defend his win at the Great Ball Game between animals and birds. Alas, he has injured his wing and while he will be healed in time for the rematch, he doesn’t have the strength to fly to the game. He asks Ray Halfmoon and Ray’s friend/housemate Mel to ask Grandfather Halfmoon to drive him to the game. They set off on a road trip from Chicago to Georgia by way of Iowa, Kansas, and Oklahoma and end up having to evade would-be batnappers along the way.

[Jame_EReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

👦🏻review: My sister read the author’s previous book, The Harvest House, thus she recommended that I read this one. Well?!?! I enjoyed this indigenous folktale about roadtrip, baseball, parental abandonment and death, adventures and life. The fascinating thing is that the story included different points of different indigenous tribes being represented and shared into the book. What made it special is how the book is quite engaging and interesting to read.