What do you think?
Rate this book
Birdy
Not yet published
Expected 17 Feb 26After the death of their mother, Birdy and Mouse are forced to start over in this debut novel about discovering where you belong—for fans of Forever This Summer and The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise.
Eleven-year-old Birdy and her younger brother, Mouse, have always looked out for each other. They make the perfect Birdy is realistic and practical, while Mouse is affable and trusting. After their mother dies of cancer, Birdy and Mouse are forced to move out of the city to the country with relatives they’ve never met. Aunt Mitzie and Uncle Shadow’s house is full of organized chaos, and it takes Birdy time to adjust to having adults around. But the kitchen is always stocked, and both kids are allowed to play outside as often as they want. There’s only one it’s all temporary. Their social worker has promised to find them a permanent home by the next school year, whether they want to leave or not. As the summer unfolds, Mouse starts to feel attached to their new life. But Birdy knows better—adults have never been reliable. When Birdy’s fears get the best of her, she makes a big mistake that could jeopardize their future.
Heartfelt and emotionally resonant, this literary coming-of-age novel explores the unbreakable bond between siblings—and how family can be found in the most unexpected places.
Eleven-year-old Birdy and her younger brother, Mouse, have always looked out for each other. They make the perfect Birdy is realistic and practical, while Mouse is affable and trusting. After their mother dies of cancer, Birdy and Mouse are forced to move out of the city to the country with relatives they’ve never met. Aunt Mitzie and Uncle Shadow’s house is full of organized chaos, and it takes Birdy time to adjust to having adults around. But the kitchen is always stocked, and both kids are allowed to play outside as often as they want. There’s only one it’s all temporary. Their social worker has promised to find them a permanent home by the next school year, whether they want to leave or not. As the summer unfolds, Mouse starts to feel attached to their new life. But Birdy knows better—adults have never been reliable. When Birdy’s fears get the best of her, she makes a big mistake that could jeopardize their future.
Heartfelt and emotionally resonant, this literary coming-of-age novel explores the unbreakable bond between siblings—and how family can be found in the most unexpected places.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 17, 2026
3115 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 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 18, 2025
“From the start, Birdy grabs our hearts, and we’re invested in the pursuit that her and her little brother, Mouse will find the right home.” (Kimberly Willis Holt)
This heartfelt, beautifully written debut novel would make a great read aloud. It describes the unbreakable bond between siblings and discovering where you belong.
“I can alter my life by altering my attitude.”- Henry David Thoreau
This heartfelt, beautifully written debut novel would make a great read aloud. It describes the unbreakable bond between siblings and discovering where you belong.
“I can alter my life by altering my attitude.”- Henry David Thoreau
December 31, 2025
Book Report: Birdy by N. West Moss
This is one of those middle grade books that quietly burrows into your heart and stays there. 💛
After losing their mother…eleven year old Birdy and her younger brother Mouse are sent to live in the country with relatives they barely know. The house is chaotic but warm…the pantry is full and the days stretch out with animals…summer camp and the kind of freedom that comes from being told to go outside and play. But everything feels temporary and Birdy…fiercely protective and wary of adults…can’t bring herself to believe this life will last.
If you loved The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise or Firefly Summer…this is very much that book. IYKYK🌲✨
Tackling grief at a middle grade level is no small feat but Birdy does it effortlessly. Layering loss…love and hope through characters that are quirky…tender and painfully real. The almost timeless setting (barely a hint of technology) gives it that nostalgic barefoot summer feeling I think so many of us are craving right now. Add animals…sibling bonds and a week at summer camp and it honestly delivers everything I want when I reach for a middle grade novel🐾🏕️
Thank you Little Brown Books for Young Readers for the advanced digital copy!
Releases 2/17
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...
This is one of those middle grade books that quietly burrows into your heart and stays there. 💛
After losing their mother…eleven year old Birdy and her younger brother Mouse are sent to live in the country with relatives they barely know. The house is chaotic but warm…the pantry is full and the days stretch out with animals…summer camp and the kind of freedom that comes from being told to go outside and play. But everything feels temporary and Birdy…fiercely protective and wary of adults…can’t bring herself to believe this life will last.
If you loved The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise or Firefly Summer…this is very much that book. IYKYK🌲✨
Tackling grief at a middle grade level is no small feat but Birdy does it effortlessly. Layering loss…love and hope through characters that are quirky…tender and painfully real. The almost timeless setting (barely a hint of technology) gives it that nostalgic barefoot summer feeling I think so many of us are craving right now. Add animals…sibling bonds and a week at summer camp and it honestly delivers everything I want when I reach for a middle grade novel🐾🏕️
Thank you Little Brown Books for Young Readers for the advanced digital copy!
Releases 2/17
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...
October 17, 2025
So I’m not really sure about this one. It had some really good ideas and it could have been great but it was off.
Language:
Holy moly, jeez, fool, jerk, Good Lord, shut up, loser, dang.
A mother is said to have screamed in a child’s face and called him stupid.
A girl called her father a jerk.
A bully tells a girl that she is unloveable.
Romance:
A 11 year old girl has a crush on a 15 year old boy and she thinks he likes her back.
Several mentions of wine.
Girl stole money multiple times
A guy was joking and a girl thinks she wants to kill him.
A girl is thought to be a boy in a book and she doesn’t correct them
A animal is injured and it is described.
Mother died and wasn’t really the best mother.
Several mentions of the kids randomly being abandoned places.
The main girl says multiple time how she hates everyone, in her mind and on paper.
So I thought this could be a very good book. The idea behind it was good and it could have taught a lots of good lessons. It deals with trauma of a parent dying and how Birdy was always worried something was going to happen and her and her brother would be thrown out.
But what ruined for me was Birdy. That girl was a brat, I understand she’s had a hard life but literally all she would think about was how she hated everyone and she would be a bully to her younger brother. I did like uncle Clay and how he would listen to the kids and be there for them but the way she treated him in the beginning was not right. Also Fingers was adorable.
I didn’t like the fact she had a crush on a 15 year old and how many times she would be thinking about him.
So while this could have been good, I can’t recommend this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc of this book.
Language:
Holy moly, jeez, fool, jerk, Good Lord, shut up, loser, dang.
A mother is said to have screamed in a child’s face and called him stupid.
A girl called her father a jerk.
A bully tells a girl that she is unloveable.
Romance:
A 11 year old girl has a crush on a 15 year old boy and she thinks he likes her back.
Several mentions of wine.
Girl stole money multiple times
A guy was joking and a girl thinks she wants to kill him.
A girl is thought to be a boy in a book and she doesn’t correct them
A animal is injured and it is described.
Mother died and wasn’t really the best mother.
Several mentions of the kids randomly being abandoned places.
The main girl says multiple time how she hates everyone, in her mind and on paper.
So I thought this could be a very good book. The idea behind it was good and it could have taught a lots of good lessons. It deals with trauma of a parent dying and how Birdy was always worried something was going to happen and her and her brother would be thrown out.
But what ruined for me was Birdy. That girl was a brat, I understand she’s had a hard life but literally all she would think about was how she hated everyone and she would be a bully to her younger brother. I did like uncle Clay and how he would listen to the kids and be there for them but the way she treated him in the beginning was not right. Also Fingers was adorable.
I didn’t like the fact she had a crush on a 15 year old and how many times she would be thinking about him.
So while this could have been good, I can’t recommend this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc of this book.
October 9, 2025
What a poignant coming-of-age book about loss, belonging, family, and changes when Birdy and Mouse have to live with their aunt, Mitzie, and uncle, Shadow, (fourth cousins) after their mom dies. Birdy likes being alone but worries about having to leave and go back to New York City so she begins to steal money from Mitzie. One day they find out Birdy and Mouse’s mom had a half brother, Clay, and he’s coming to visit for two weeks. Birdy doesn’t want to get close to Clay because she knows he’ll be leaving soon. They all have fun and decide to look at Aunt Alma’s abandoned house. Birdy is sad when Clay leaves, but he writes her a letter and says he’d like to buy Aunt Alma’s house and would she and Mouse like that? Yes! she says. The social worker comes and wants to know if Birdy and Mouse want to stay forever with Mitzie and Shadow. They say yes and then Mitzie finds out about the money. What happens now?
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2025
Must read! Would be an excellent read aloud!
November 17, 2025
ARC review: Beautiful story about found family and second chances.
November 19, 2025
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Birdy (May) and her younger brother Mouse (Michael), have had a hard life in Hell's Kitchen, New York City, with their mother. It seems she was at first a bit neglectful and prone to anger, and then passed away from cancer. With no father in the picture, the two children are sent to live with their "Aunt" Mitzi, a distant cousin, and her artist husband, Shadow, in upstate New York. Both are in their 70s, and Shadow has just fallen and broken his ankle. Mitzi is unsure about how to care for the children, but treats them gently, is quietly supportive, and allows them a lot of free time to do what they would like. There are a few rules, as well as light chores like cleaning up after themselves. Birdy is amazed at the amount of food in the house, since her mother often had none, and is concerned that she should have some money in case she and Mouse need to flee. She steals small amounts from Mitz's coffee can to bolster her reserves. Social services manages to locate Clay, a half brother of the mother's, and he comes to visit. He is a naturalist who works for a Maine parks department, and brings a goat and tame racoon with him. He, too, is very gentle with the children. Mouse takes to him right away, willingly leaving Birdy's side to sleep on the porch with Clay and the animals, and even Birdy reluctantly likes him. The children are sent to the Mighty Oak Day camp where they can interact with other children. Birdy, who bore the brunt of her mother's neglect and had to struggle to take care of Mouse, would prefer not to talk to anyone, and finds constantly being around people taxing. She frequently lashes out in her diary, and is standoffish with most people. She does develop a crush on an older counselor in training at the camp, and manages to make a friend. Clay decides that he will move to the area if it's okay with the children, and buys a run down property in which Shadow had been interested. After a social worker's visit, plans for a permanent placement are started. Birdy is relieved, but when her theft is finally realized, she worries that everything will fall through. Is there a happy ending for Birdy and Mouse?
Strengths: One of my favorite books as a child was Julie Andrews Edwards' 1974 Mandy, about a girl in an English orphanage who eventually gets placed in a loving family. Mitzi and Shadow's house in the country is very appealing, and Birdy is suddenly surrounded by nature (which she doesn't like), space, and adequate food and supervision. Understandably fearful, she is not pressed for interaction and given plenty of time to settle in. Uncle Clay brings another fun element to the story, with his animals and love of the outdoors. There are realistic scenes of Birdy having to interact with other children at camp. Her inner thoughts, expressed in her diary, are realistic; aren't there days when all of us hate EVERYONE? There's something oddly comforting about this story. Maybe I just want to hang out with Mitzi while she bakes in the kitchen.
Weaknesses: I wish that there had been more information about how Birdy and Mouse lived when they were with their mother. It's sketched in briefly, but the comfort of Birdy's new situation would have been even more of a relief if we had seen how bad her life was. Think about a book like Fipps' And Then Boom, where most of the book is about the neglect the character suffers; this is oddly appealing and comforting to my students. While I appreciate Birdy reading Voigt's 1981 Tillerman Cycle, I'm not sure how many people will understand this reference, since it's old enough that even most of our teachers would have missed it.
What I really think: This made me think of Fisher's Understood Betsy, and I enjoyed the gentle new situation in which Birday and Mouse found themselves. It has some similarities to other books about foster placements, including O'Shaughnessy's Lasagna Means I Love You, Farr's Pavi Sharma's Guide to Going Home, Little's Mostly the Honest Truth and Choldenko's The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman. I have a number of books like this that aren't getting read, so I may not buy this, although I would probably purchase this for an elementary school.
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
Birdy (May) and her younger brother Mouse (Michael), have had a hard life in Hell's Kitchen, New York City, with their mother. It seems she was at first a bit neglectful and prone to anger, and then passed away from cancer. With no father in the picture, the two children are sent to live with their "Aunt" Mitzi, a distant cousin, and her artist husband, Shadow, in upstate New York. Both are in their 70s, and Shadow has just fallen and broken his ankle. Mitzi is unsure about how to care for the children, but treats them gently, is quietly supportive, and allows them a lot of free time to do what they would like. There are a few rules, as well as light chores like cleaning up after themselves. Birdy is amazed at the amount of food in the house, since her mother often had none, and is concerned that she should have some money in case she and Mouse need to flee. She steals small amounts from Mitz's coffee can to bolster her reserves. Social services manages to locate Clay, a half brother of the mother's, and he comes to visit. He is a naturalist who works for a Maine parks department, and brings a goat and tame racoon with him. He, too, is very gentle with the children. Mouse takes to him right away, willingly leaving Birdy's side to sleep on the porch with Clay and the animals, and even Birdy reluctantly likes him. The children are sent to the Mighty Oak Day camp where they can interact with other children. Birdy, who bore the brunt of her mother's neglect and had to struggle to take care of Mouse, would prefer not to talk to anyone, and finds constantly being around people taxing. She frequently lashes out in her diary, and is standoffish with most people. She does develop a crush on an older counselor in training at the camp, and manages to make a friend. Clay decides that he will move to the area if it's okay with the children, and buys a run down property in which Shadow had been interested. After a social worker's visit, plans for a permanent placement are started. Birdy is relieved, but when her theft is finally realized, she worries that everything will fall through. Is there a happy ending for Birdy and Mouse?
Strengths: One of my favorite books as a child was Julie Andrews Edwards' 1974 Mandy, about a girl in an English orphanage who eventually gets placed in a loving family. Mitzi and Shadow's house in the country is very appealing, and Birdy is suddenly surrounded by nature (which she doesn't like), space, and adequate food and supervision. Understandably fearful, she is not pressed for interaction and given plenty of time to settle in. Uncle Clay brings another fun element to the story, with his animals and love of the outdoors. There are realistic scenes of Birdy having to interact with other children at camp. Her inner thoughts, expressed in her diary, are realistic; aren't there days when all of us hate EVERYONE? There's something oddly comforting about this story. Maybe I just want to hang out with Mitzi while she bakes in the kitchen.
Weaknesses: I wish that there had been more information about how Birdy and Mouse lived when they were with their mother. It's sketched in briefly, but the comfort of Birdy's new situation would have been even more of a relief if we had seen how bad her life was. Think about a book like Fipps' And Then Boom, where most of the book is about the neglect the character suffers; this is oddly appealing and comforting to my students. While I appreciate Birdy reading Voigt's 1981 Tillerman Cycle, I'm not sure how many people will understand this reference, since it's old enough that even most of our teachers would have missed it.
What I really think: This made me think of Fisher's Understood Betsy, and I enjoyed the gentle new situation in which Birday and Mouse found themselves. It has some similarities to other books about foster placements, including O'Shaughnessy's Lasagna Means I Love You, Farr's Pavi Sharma's Guide to Going Home, Little's Mostly the Honest Truth and Choldenko's The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman. I have a number of books like this that aren't getting read, so I may not buy this, although I would probably purchase this for an elementary school.
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Birdy and her brother Mouse are siblings (May and Michael). Their mother had died and they've been going from home to home in NYC. When they are sent to Constable, NY to live with an older couple. Birdy is nervous that after six months with them, they won't want them. She is not used to the countryside and learns about peeper toads, swimming, and more.
While there, they also connect with a family member they didn't know about at all. It stirs up a lot of feelings to meet that person.
Throughout the book, Birdy is struggling to feel like she has a voice. She wants to feel loved and wanted. She wants to be asked for her opinion on things. The couple they stay with seem so kind and wonderful to her, but she is afraid to get attached. She is afraid of hurting more.
I thought it was a cute middle grade story and it had lovely art at the start of every chapter. I did find the friendship of an 11-year-old and a 15-year-old to feel unnatural and odd. Bruce was a nice person though and gave good advice to Birdy.
This story had lots of cute animals too! A tame raccoon, a goat, and a dog. The stories around the animals were darling.
What felt strange is that Clay mentioned his father, but did his father still live and wouldn't he have wanted to visit Birdy and Mouse too? It never comes up though where the kids ask about him.
content: talk about death, bullying, theft, name calling (stupid, and such).
While there, they also connect with a family member they didn't know about at all. It stirs up a lot of feelings to meet that person.
Throughout the book, Birdy is struggling to feel like she has a voice. She wants to feel loved and wanted. She wants to be asked for her opinion on things. The couple they stay with seem so kind and wonderful to her, but she is afraid to get attached. She is afraid of hurting more.
I thought it was a cute middle grade story and it had lovely art at the start of every chapter. I did find the friendship of an 11-year-old and a 15-year-old to feel unnatural and odd. Bruce was a nice person though and gave good advice to Birdy.
This story had lots of cute animals too! A tame raccoon, a goat, and a dog. The stories around the animals were darling.
What felt strange is that Clay mentioned his father, but did his father still live and wouldn't he have wanted to visit Birdy and Mouse too? It never comes up though where the kids ask about him.
content: talk about death, bullying, theft, name calling (stupid, and such).
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Loved the characters in this middle-grade story of belongings. Birdy and her little brother Mouse have been in limbo since the death of their mother to cancer. They've stayed with neighbours, but now are on a semi-permanent tryout with some older relatives they've never met - never even heard of. Birdy has a tough exterior and works to protect Mouse at all costs. Settling into this new, probably-not-permanent home is hard on the two of them, and mistakes are made. Birdy learns to deal with her pent-up emotions through writing, and talking with her new "family" and friends from summer camp. But is it in time?
Great writing and great characters. I would have liked the build-up to the big "mistake" made by Birdy to be a bit more tense, but kids will appreciate the realness of Birdy. Recommend for grades 5+. Thanks to NetGalley, the publishers and the author for the advanced reading copy.
Great writing and great characters. I would have liked the build-up to the big "mistake" made by Birdy to be a bit more tense, but kids will appreciate the realness of Birdy. Recommend for grades 5+. Thanks to NetGalley, the publishers and the author for the advanced reading copy.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Thanks to Little Brown for the ARC copy of this book. I enjoyed this book very much. It is the story of 11 year old, Birdy, who has to look after her younger brother after their mother has passed away from cancer. She feels a deep sense of responsibility and fears that she can't protect him enough. She has a sense of insecurity that the people they are sent to live with won't think she is good enough to be wanted. It is hard for her to trust people; afraid that they won't find a permanent home and family. It is a truly moving story of all her thoughts and feelings in her struggles. It is a book that is definitely worth reading.
November 2, 2025
This was a sweet story of Birdy and Mouse who have to relocate out of New York City to a quiet country home after the death of their mother. They get placed with Shadow and Mitzie, older distant relatives, who are giving them a six month trial. Both pairs, the siblings and their guardians, have to learn how to adjust to this new living arrangement. Birdy isn't used to not being responsible for herself and her brother. Mitzie isn't used to making rules. Shadow becomes the one who shows all of them how to live together as a new family.
I enjoyed the peace that was created by the rural setting. Connecting with nature was definitely a part of Birdy's healing process. She was gently led to trust people, make new friends, and be content with the family who wanted her. This was a lovely hopeful story about love and found family. I recommend it to any reader, young and old.
This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed the peace that was created by the rural setting. Connecting with nature was definitely a part of Birdy's healing process. She was gently led to trust people, make new friends, and be content with the family who wanted her. This was a lovely hopeful story about love and found family. I recommend it to any reader, young and old.
This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy
School Library Journal will be publishing my official review.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews