Blue Birds

by Caroline Starr Rose

It’s 1587 and twelve-year-old Alis has made the long journey with her parents from England to help settle the New World, the land christened Virginia in honor of the Queen. And Alis couldn’t be happier. While the streets of London were crowded and dirty, this new land, with its trees and birds and sky, calls to Alis. Here she feels free. But the land, the island Roanoke, is also inhabited by the Roanoke tribe and tensions between them and the English are running high, soon turning deadly.
 
Amid the strife, Alis meets and befriends Kimi, a Roanoke girl about her age. Though the two don’t even speak the same language, these girls form a special bond as close as sisters, willing to risk everything for the other. Finally, Alis must make an impossible choice when her family resolves to leave the island and bloodshed behind.
 
A beautiful, tender story of friendship and the meaning of family, Caroline Starr Rose delivers another historical gem.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Poetry, Historical, Fiction, Novel In Verse, Friendship

393 pages, Hardcover

First published March 10, 2015

About the author

Caroline Starr Rose is a middle grade and picture book author whose books have been ALA-ALSC Notable, Junior Library Guild, ABA New Voices, Kids’ Indie Next, Amazon’s Best Books of the Month for Kids, and Bank Street College of Education Best Books selections. In addition, her books have been nominated for almost two dozen state award lists. Caroline was named a Publishers Weekly Flying Start Author for her debut novel, May B. She spent her childhood in the deserts of Saudi Arabia and New Mexico and taught social studies and English in four different states. Caroline now lives with her family in her hometown, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Reviews

[Carol Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the reason I love well-written historical fiction: It draws me into a place and time that I am barely familiar with, brushes me with information and imagery, and leaves me wanting to know more.


Enter Blue Birds by Caroline Starr Rose. Written from the points of view of two fictional characters: Alis, the daughter of one of the British colonists to settle Roanoke Island and Kimi, a Native American who lost her father and sister at the hands of the English, this novel-in-verse creates a plausible story of the British who came to be known as the Lost Colony.

Rose's excellent deep POV makes the reader feel like you can reach out and touch the protagonists; their longings, conflicts, beliefs and fears are exposed to the reader in simple, yet powerful language. The alternating viewpoints are an excellent way to show what it meant to both the English and Indians for colonists to settle the New World.

Be warned. In order to share the beauty of Rose’s free verse, but at the risk of including some spoilers, this review consists of portions of the novel. (Please note: I am quoting from an ARC which is the uncorrected text.)

The book opens with the colonists’ arrival at Roanoke and Alis remembering her uncle’s words when he give her a small carving of a bluebird. This snippet foreshadows Alis’ conflicts:

“The graceful bird
its wings rest so daintily.
This Uncle Samuel promised me:
Birds return home
no matter how they fly.
One set free might wander
but will eventually rejoin his flock." (p. 28)

Kimi watches with curiosity as Alis explores the area outside the palisade. Kimi is surprised to find a young girl in their midst; she longs for the her dead sister’s company. But she also deeply mistrusts the English. She returns to work with the other women:
“Like the corn,
a woman
spreads her roots wide,
like the bean,
a woman
settles her roots deep.

If we hope to rid ourselves of them,
push them from us
Once and for all,
We must do it
Before their roots take hold." (p.34)

Their first meeting is poignant. First from Kimi’s viewpoint:
“Her eyes fly to me,
grow wide
but do not falter,
though she wears panic on her face.

Her skin too delicate,
like a thin-barked tree;
her body bundled,
thick like a caterpillar." (p.45)

Then Alis’ viewpoint:
"Motionless
she stands.
Markings spiral up her arms,
snake down below her fringed skirt-
the only clothing she wears-
Like fine embroidery stitched into skin.
Copper flashes at her earlobes,
a rope of pearls encircles her neck.
Short hair covers her forehead,
the rest gathered behind.
She studies me." (p. 46)

Kimi finds the wooden bird when Alis accidentally drops it. Alis doesn't go anywhere without it and Kimi assumes it is a source of power to her. Here are Kimi's thoughts and observations:

"I dance her wooden bird
across my fingertips,
perch it on the back of my hand.

The girl is not welcome here.

Her hair,
so colorless,
her eyes,
pale pools of water.

I imagine her
cowering in her village
without her power.
I want to see
her weakness.

She comes
from brutal people,
yet is as loving
with her mother as we are.

Can both things be true?" (p. 62)

The girls, both longing for a friend, are drawn together risking discovery and disapproval from their families. From Alis:

"I stay
long enough to study
the patterns on her arms,
close enough
to meet her eyes
with no urge to lower my gaze.

We are not together,
but neither are we apart.

Three times
I have come here.
Three times
we have met.

Something
fascinating, fragile
grows between us." (p. 94)

Even as they are drawn to one another, tragic events swirl around them. Their budding friendship is tested by old prejudices, present fears, and the painful consequences of their families' decisions. From Alis:

"I cannot escape the truth
that living here brings danger.

I imagine meeting Kimi
in a place we mustn't hide.

It never was expected
we'd remain on Roanoke.

If we had never journeyed here,
how much my life would lack.

We are impoverished,
desperate.

I'm most myself
when with her.

How might I find peace
when two worlds war inside?" (p. 311)

This beautifully written novel will be an excellent classroom resource for readers ages 10-14. And even if you don’t win it, I hope you will read and/or purchase it for the middle grade girl in your life. The images of friendship, loyalty, and self-sacrifice—and the blue birds themselves--will stay imprinted in your mind long after reading it.

[Hannah Mozingo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning. The poetry is so well done and the story was gripping. I was sucked into the lives of the two girls and absolutely loved how the poetry worked to show them individually and together. The plot twist at the end was super unexpected and emotional but oh how I loved it!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful piece of historical fiction. Caroline Starr Rose's novel in verse is wonderfully researched and well-crafted. This would pair beautifully with Michael Dorris' Morning Girl - another favorite.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a North Carolina girl, I was beyond thrilled to discover that Caroline Starr Rose's latest novel in verse was about the Lost Colony at Roanoke. I grew up learning about the colony, and wondering what had happened to them, and especially what had happened to the children. This incredible story asks all of those questions and more, weaving the mystery of the Lost Colony into an intimate tale of friendship and what it truly means to be family. This is a middle grade read not to be missed.

[Suze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alis has traveled from London to the New World. After a long journey by boat they arrive at the island Roanoke. It's 1587 and long distance communication isn't easy, which is why nobody on the ship knew something happened to the Englishmen who were already staying on the island. The atmosphere between the English and the Roanoke tribe on the island is tense.

Alis loves Roanoke, she's happy with the clean air, the birds and the beauty of nature. She's also befriended a girl from the Roanoke tribe, Kimi. They can't understand each other, because they don't speak the same language, but there's a deep connection that makes them very close. Both Kimi and Alis have lost someone very dear to them and their friendship brings them comfort. When the situation between the English and the Roanoke tribe becomes even worse Alis has to make a difficult choice.

Caroline Star Rose's sentences are all beautiful, they're giving the story a genuine and lively character. Kimi and Alis have their own distinct voices and I love the way the author has translated their thoughts and feelings in free-verse. The friendship almost seems impossible, but the two girls find a way to meet each other. I think it's amazing how this historical situation has been the setting of such an impressive story of kinship and family. This book teaches the reader something in such an enjoyable way. Because of the political situation the girls can't openly spend time together, but because of each other they have to find a way to work around that, there's no other choice. The friendship between the two girls is so sweet and delicate, which in my opinion is the strongest point of the story. I loved this book and will definitely read it again and again.

[Karen Arendt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I find prose more challenging to read, having to re-read text to make sure I didn't miss something; with few words, each word counts, so it is always possible I missed something. I loved the story of Alis and Kimi. The description of the English settlers at Roanoke-their confusion, misunderstandings, and even arrogance come through clearly in the text. The purity of friendship between two children of different cultures spoke volumes in the 1500s and still resonates today. Thank you to Penguin Young Readers Author Program and Netgalley for the ARC.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this aloud to my 2 daughters, 8 & 5. We loved it. The story was so compelling & it was such a fun way to learn bits of history. The characters had such distinct voices. We would highly recommend it!!!

[Faith Elizabeth Hough · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story of friendship told in free verse, set in the "lost colony" of Roanoke.

[Tamara York · Rating 4 out of 5]

Books in verse have to be really great for me to like them, because this format typically isn’t my bag. This book read like prose with tons of line breaks to me, more than poetry. The format just didn’t enhance the story. That being said, I liked the duel perspective of a native girl and settler on Roanoke Island. As historical fiction, it was very good. As book in verse, it was just okay.

[Zizi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! I love all of Caroline's books, like May B. this one gave me the jey to a different time and reality!

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a middle school teacher, and I’m previewing books for the next school year. This one was recommended by a former student who loves historical fiction like I do. I also love novels in verse. I’d love to use this with a cross-curricular social studies unit and discuss the idea of choice as it relates to historical events of the English and Roanoke people and the individual character motivations of Alis and Kimi in this beautifully written novel.

[Catherine Gillespie · Rating 2 out of 5]

We also read Caroline Starr Rose’s second book, Blue Birds. Unlike May B., I couldn’t think of any reason that the book was written as a verse novel. It’s about the lost colony of Roanoke, so nothing about the setting really requires the short line free verse style. Unless the author hoped to make a point about the lack of information available about what really happened to the settlement? Again, both my daughter and I were left wondering what might have been if the book had been a fully developed novel. I heard an interview with the author that really impressed me, and I am impressed with her story concepts, but I have to confess that I think verse novels are kind of gimmicky and we probably won’t try any more. Still, it was kind of fun to try something new, and there are so few words that you can easily read either book in a very, very short time. I will continue to follow the author in hopes that she isn’t pigeonholed into verse novels for her whole career–her concepts, characters, and imagery are strong so I hope she writes a prose novel someday!

Get more recommendations for great kids chapter book read alouds on A Spirited Mind

[Akoss · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of a friendship between an English girl and a Roanoke girl, at a time when such friendship was deemed impossible and unaccepted.

Kimi lost two family members to the English settlers before Alis arrived on the island, with her family, and many other people, unaware of the danger awaiting them. Alis is afraid and unsure about these savages who could possibly be responsible for her uncle’s disappearance.

Two cultures clash, with distrust and misunderstanding running wild on both sides. I had to take a little break at times because I could feel the pain and anger the characters were experiencing so much. My favorite parts included Kimi and Alis working together to overcome the language barrier between them.

The story is beautifully written, full of heart, tension, and told from both Alis and Kimi’s perspectives. I love how the author said a lot with few, carefully picked words.

This might be a historical fiction but felt like a timeless one to me.

[Terry Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has a remarkable way of saying so much with few words. The spare use of just the perfect word makes this story shine. I loved the slow growling friendship between Alis and Kimi. I loved learning about the history. I loved the atmosphere of danger and excitement of a whole new beginning in a strange place. Caroline Starr Rose has made me love novels in verse!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel in verse tells the story of English settlers coming to the North Carolina coast, from the perspectives of both an English girl and her newfound Native American friend. Teachers of Va. (And North Carolina, I suppose!) history can really make use of this as a fabulous read-aloud which will spark great discussion about motives and decisions that were made during those difficult times.

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blue Birds is fantastic. It is a really gripping novel in verse by the author of May B. I am excited for it to come out so I can put it in my library.

[Isaac Mutumba]

Reading the poems from Blue Birds, put me in a series of emotions, each line was heartfelt and carried a deep meaning in the story. In this book two girls, Alis, who is an English settler, and Kimi, a Roanoke girl. These girls formed a secret friendship during England's attempt to colonize Roanoke Island. During all of this the girls try understanding each other despite the language barrier and violent backgrounds. The verse style gave the story a fragile edge which had me engaged throughout the whole story. The major themes in this book were friendship across differences and ethnic conflict. The way Ali's and Kimi’s relationship is portrayed shows how they are aware of the risk they’re taking but despite that, they’re still trying to connect with one another. The main genre of this book is novel in verse, or poetry, because the story is told through free verse poems instead of the traditional chapters and paragraph formats of books. Children that read this book could learn about empathy and to not judge a book by its cover. The two protagonists came from opposing sides of conflict however, they still put that difference aside to understand one another. This is a reason why this is a WOW book to me, I like how the author used poetry to tell the story of the two girls. The friendship between Alis and Kimi felt so real and the emotions felt genuine.
The author used multiple literary devices and other forms of writing crafts in this book. The first writing craft technique I saw was imagery, an example from the book would be when Alis describes the “stretch of blue water between Roanoke and home” and compares the waves to something constantly pulling her away from everything familiar. The second writing craft technique I saw was dual perspective. In the book, each poem is labeled either Alis or Kimi, which gives the reader the perspective of both girls which I feel enhances the book's quality. I would consider this book to be an anti-bias book because it's centered around cultural assumptions and it perfectly describes how easily different groups can misunderstand one another. By showing Kimi’s pain and mistrust after losing her sister, in addition to showing Alis’s yearn for peace and connection. Their friendship became a symbol of how empathy can grow even being on opposite ends of conflict.

[Katherine Szerdy · Rating 5 out of 5]

BLUE BIRDS by Carolyn Starr Rose
This historical fiction YA novel revolves around the story of two young girls, Alis, the daughter of parents from England who traversed the Atlantic over 400 years ago to settle in the Chesapeake Bay region, and Kimi, a young Roanoke Indian girl. The story is told in free verse and as I read, I could “hear” the cadence of an English speaker centuries ago and the lilting tongue of a native speaker. As they are learning each other’s languages, and both speaking in first person, sometimes the two voices intertwine. I found it to be a fun read! Once their secret meetings we’re found out, they were forbidden to meet as tensions were escalating between the Roanoke people and the white settlers. All I am going to say is the ending will surprise you! I did not expect it! A MUST READ for all ages!
RECOMMENDED FOR: Middle grade social studies classrooms who study early American history and middle grades English classes who are studying voice, point of view, poetry.
Discussion questions:
1. Who had the right to settle on this island? Why?
2. How would history have changed if the indigenous people had maintained ownership of the island?
3. What happened to Alis’s uncle?
4. Was Alis’s punishment by her parents too harsh? Why or why not?
5. It took awhile for Alis and Kimi to decide they could trust each other. What did each girl do to prove their trustworthiness?
6. Were you surprised by the ending?

[Judi Paradis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alis arrives on Roanoke Island as the only young girl in a large party of settlers from London. While she loves the natural beauty of the new colony, she is lonely, and she's aware that not all is well within her community--there have been serious issues with local Native people, the captain who brought them to Virginia left them in the wrong place, and they cannot locate the settlers who preceded them--though they can see bleached bones. When Alis encounters Kimi, a Native girl, who comes from the Roanoke people who've experienced danger from prior settlers, they form an odd friendship based in curiosity and shared loneliness. The girls model the respect and friendship that their adult counterparts cannot manage, and this leads to a surprising and satisfying ending to the story. The novel is told in free verse from the vantage point of each girl, and while it mostly works, this could be confusing for readers who are not entirely clear on the history of the early colony. There is a helpful author's note at the end of the book, and it might be useful to read this WHILE reading the novel. Students studying early US settlement will find this book brings this period to life.

[Summer Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really good. I loved the style of writing--its very unusual for a middle grade book to be written like prose. It reminded me of the book Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse also a really good book.

I love hearing stories about the lost Roanoke Colony and Virginia Dare. This book doesn't go too deeply into the Native American Story, which was a bit of a disappointment, but I loved the voice of the two girls and their friendship. It was beautiful and sweet. Very well written--It could have done a bit of a better job capturing fort life and native american life.

I would say this would be an excellent book for 5th to 6th grade. I'll have Caroline read it this summer, and maybe Abby in another year.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

July 1587-Aug 1590 Roanoke Island
This is a fictionalized account of the lost colony of Roanoke featuring a 12 yr old female English MC who meets a Roanoke girl and continually sneaks out to meet her. They each save each other from the anger of their respective people and in the end the 12 yr old leaves the English to live as one of the Roanoke deserting her mother, father, and newborn brother. Any possible good character traits were drowned out in the undesirable choices of the characters in the story.

pgs 5, 51, 263 English call Indians “savage”
pg 56 talk of a man “breaking wind”
pgs 35, 59, 123, 141, 191 stealing away/leaving without permission
pgs 60, 140, 191, 208, 323 lying
pgs 77, 116, 134, 140, 267 secrets from parents and other adults.

[Tirzah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second verse novel and my third Caroline Starr Rose book. Blue Birds is written as movingly as May B. with the seriousness of life interwoven with life’s beauty. It is based in 1587 when the Lost Colony land on Roanoke. Despite the division between the English and Indians, two lonely girls form a forbidden friendship. The ending was upsetting, yet I understand why it ended that way. Through Alis and Kimi's actions and thoughts, readers are reminded of how family, trust, and sacrifice are important. I recommend to those who enjoy books written in verse and/or historical fiction.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel in verse is written from two perspectives...a young English girl, Alis, whose family has just landed in Roanoke and a young girl, Kimi, from the Roanoke tribe. There are tensions between the English and the Roanoke...both feel angry and distrustful toward the other (with reason on both sides). But Alis and Kimi develop an unexpected and forbidden friendship and must try to help and protect the other.

This drew me right in. I loved reading the two perspectives and loved seeing the two girls' friendship blossom. I also loved the historical aspects of the tale. The ending surprised me. I'd love to read this aloud to children to see their response.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a sweet book of an unlikely friendship between two girls, one from the Roanoke colony and one from the Indians in the area. They way they manage to communicate and the way they sweetly worry for each other was touching. I found the ending an interesting choice and not exactly believable though I know it did happen, but still, to an uninformed middle grade crowd and one still mightily attached to their parents, the concept was a little odd I thought. I do love a good novel in verse and this one is very well done. Add it to your list if you're interested in historical fiction and verse novels- it's a fun combination for sure!

[CaitlinTobin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the accurate historic information about the colonists who arrived in Roanoke, and their interaction with the nearby Native groups. The format of the book is written in verse and is told from the point of view of two young girls-- an English colonist and a Roanoke Indian-- who develop a forbidden friendship. I would recommend for upper elementary+ because the style of writing can be hard to follow for younger readers. It is a great supplemental read to a study of the early English colonies in North America.

[Susie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy. This was the second book in a row that I read that did not use quotation marks, which at times caused me to re-read to be sure which character was speaking; I'd like to think I could also tell from the context, but not always. Even though different type faces were used for Kimi and Alis, it was not always easy. Perhaps that will be resolved in the final edition.
I think I prefer non-fiction to historical fiction with conjecture; This is a topic and time period that has always fascinated me.

[Nicole Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Copyright Year: 2015
Theme(s): Historical America, indigenous Americans, conflict, friendship

Colonial Virginians on the island of Roanoke come into conflict with the indigenous Roanoke people. Two young girls, Alis and Kimi, form a close bond despite the conflicts between their people. Blue Birds would be a good read aloud book at the beginning or end of the class period. The chapters are short passages of poetry. The historical aspect of this book can really lend to a deeper discussion of colonist interactions with indigenous populations.

[Joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this to see if it would work as a read-aloud for my kids, one of whom is studying this era of history. But free verse is hard to read-aloud. Do I attempt different voices for each character? Could maybe do that. Do I just read their names at their entries? Sounds exhausting. Am I just so biased toward prose that free verse is usually only ho-hum for me? Probably. All to say, the story is worth reading, but I'm more likely to hand it to my kids to read on their own when they're a little older.

[Ms. Heres · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel in verse is about an unusual friendship between two girls who should be enemies. As the English arrive at the Roanoke settlement with their families, the Natives are baffled about why they would come back to this country when so much has gone wrong in the past. As she settles in with her family, Alis meets and makes friends with Kimi, a native girl her age. As the story unfolds, their friendship grows.

[Kristiana Sfirlea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book on a whim, as is usually the case with me and historical fiction, and I just adored it. The story, relationships, history, ending, and unique format were all top notch. Even if historical fiction isn't your usual cup of tea, if you enjoy the life-changing qualities of an amazing friendship, this is the story for you!