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Kestrel Takes Flight
A girl learns to stand up for herself and embrace the true meaning of home against the backdrop of the Montana wilderness in this heartfelt novel in verse by acclaimed author Joy McCullough.
A kestrel
is the smallest
bird of prey
in North America.
Kestrel doesn’t feel much like the fierce bird for which she is named. Not after being rushed away from her grandfather’s strict church community to the wilds of Montana. Her mother has gotten a job at a conservation institute, where she’ll work with a special breed of dog to help make interactions between humans and bears safer.
At first, Kes is terrified of the dogs and angry at her mother for ripping her from the only world she’s known. But with some distance from her grandfather, she starts to understand how badly his bark hurt. In this new terrain, can Kestrel discover a safe place to spread her wings and soar?
A kestrel
is the smallest
bird of prey
in North America.
Kestrel doesn’t feel much like the fierce bird for which she is named. Not after being rushed away from her grandfather’s strict church community to the wilds of Montana. Her mother has gotten a job at a conservation institute, where she’ll work with a special breed of dog to help make interactions between humans and bears safer.
At first, Kes is terrified of the dogs and angry at her mother for ripping her from the only world she’s known. But with some distance from her grandfather, she starts to understand how badly his bark hurt. In this new terrain, can Kestrel discover a safe place to spread her wings and soar?
304 pages, Hardcover
First published May 26, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
April 3, 2026
Joy McCullough (Code Red, Team Awkward series and more) brings a novel in verse to middle grade readers with a female main character who discovers a strength inside her verbally abusive and controlling grandfather never allowed her to find and with right at 200 pages, with be approachable to most in grades 4 and up.
Kestrel and her mom have lived with Grandpa since she was born and the structure and rigidity of their household is all she has ever known so when she is abruptly awakened, handed a duffel and driven to the airport to head to Montana, she is angry about leaving him and that home behind. Things get worse when mom Rebecca tells her that they will be living and working on a ranch that trains Karelian bear dogs to chase off bears that wander into human spaces to find food as well as teaches people how to prevent unintended bear encounters that often lead to euthanizing animals who are simply following their stomachs. Gradually, Kestrel begins to get over her fear of dogs and as she lives in an environment that encourages individual thought, free expression of those thoughts and is around adults who begin to love her just as she is, an awareness awakens to how unhealthy it was to live with someone who regularly dismisses your opinion, openly calls you useless for any little mistake or simply behaves like a child.
The timeline for Kestrel’s awakening to her value and the harm done to her by a man who truly believes he speaks for God and was entitled to dictate her every step and thought is compressed and would likely take longer than the month or so Kestrel lived on the ranch, but the message feels authentic regardless. The community that Doc has built on her ranch is welcoming and those who live and work there represent different ages and races with mutual respect and affection obvious. Another plus? Mixed in with the positive messages is great information about a lesser know dog species and facts about bear management and protection.
Highly recommended for personal, school and public libraries.
Target age: grades 4-8
Profanity: none
Violence: Grandpa is verbally abusive and controlling but McCullough does not get overly graphic with his behavior. Bear-human conflicts are discussed factually and without blood or death.
Sexual content: none
Representation: Kestrel, Rebecca (mom) and Doc are Caucasian; Nico, Kestrel’s friend, is Latino; Langston, a college intern, is Black; Poppy, another college intern, is South Asian; Sally, Doc’s friend and ranch employee, is Asian.
LBGTQ+: none
Thanks for eARC, NetGalley and Atheneum Books for Young Children/Simon & Schuster.
Kestrel and her mom have lived with Grandpa since she was born and the structure and rigidity of their household is all she has ever known so when she is abruptly awakened, handed a duffel and driven to the airport to head to Montana, she is angry about leaving him and that home behind. Things get worse when mom Rebecca tells her that they will be living and working on a ranch that trains Karelian bear dogs to chase off bears that wander into human spaces to find food as well as teaches people how to prevent unintended bear encounters that often lead to euthanizing animals who are simply following their stomachs. Gradually, Kestrel begins to get over her fear of dogs and as she lives in an environment that encourages individual thought, free expression of those thoughts and is around adults who begin to love her just as she is, an awareness awakens to how unhealthy it was to live with someone who regularly dismisses your opinion, openly calls you useless for any little mistake or simply behaves like a child.
The timeline for Kestrel’s awakening to her value and the harm done to her by a man who truly believes he speaks for God and was entitled to dictate her every step and thought is compressed and would likely take longer than the month or so Kestrel lived on the ranch, but the message feels authentic regardless. The community that Doc has built on her ranch is welcoming and those who live and work there represent different ages and races with mutual respect and affection obvious. Another plus? Mixed in with the positive messages is great information about a lesser know dog species and facts about bear management and protection.
Highly recommended for personal, school and public libraries.
Target age: grades 4-8
Profanity: none
Violence: Grandpa is verbally abusive and controlling but McCullough does not get overly graphic with his behavior. Bear-human conflicts are discussed factually and without blood or death.
Sexual content: none
Representation: Kestrel, Rebecca (mom) and Doc are Caucasian; Nico, Kestrel’s friend, is Latino; Langston, a college intern, is Black; Poppy, another college intern, is South Asian; Sally, Doc’s friend and ranch employee, is Asian.
LBGTQ+: none
Thanks for eARC, NetGalley and Atheneum Books for Young Children/Simon & Schuster.
July 9, 2026
I liked the concept and the message overall. I thought that it transitioned from her wanting to be home to suddenly not wanting to in the letter was very quick and out of nowhere. I wished that there was more thought to how she got to that point even though the reader can assume why. It might have been a good move to just not have the letters in the book at all because the letter detailing her baking the cake also felt out of nowhere. Other than that the characterization was strong for this book and I can see children zooming through this book.
May 27, 2026
Wonderful in verse novels of a child who is raised by a verbally abusive, extreme, religious and prejudiced grandfather until her mother runs away with her to a "shelter" in Montana that helps one discover themselves and feel safe. We see through Kestrel's distorted perspective of the world and thoughts on how she only knew to fear everything, to see all with suspicion, until she starts seeing the world through new eyes. Very emotional and full of awareness. I love that the dogs protected her from someone more dangerous than a bear.
I also bought a copy of the audiobook to pair with the books to reread while hiking.
I also bought a copy of the audiobook to pair with the books to reread while hiking.
July 31, 2026
I enjoyed the story and its message about the meaning of family, but felt that the outcomes arrived too quickly. Kestrel transitioned from hating where she was living to loving it in a very short time and it’s difficult to believe that her grandfather would just back down and walk away in defeat after the entire book was about his demanding and harsh ways of behavior with his family.
July 29, 2026
An affirming story of breaking away from an emotionally abusive grandfather and beginning to unlearn his efforts to keep Kestral and her mother small. I appreciate the support they experience from their “found family”.
Read
August 6, 2026I've never read a Joy McCullough book that I didn't love!!
August 13, 2026
8/12/2026 A surprisingly full rendition given the sparse writing. Full review tk at TheFrumiousConsortium.net.
8/13/2026 I think the main thing I need to get over when reading books in verse is that the poetry is never going to grab me as art in and of itself. None of these poems stand alone, at least in my initial read of the book, but they all stand together beautifully to tell a coming-of-age tale at once spare in words yet surprisingly full in emotion.
Eleven year-old Kestrel is not happy when her mom wakes her up in the middle of the night and whisks her away for an airplane ride. Mom isn't really the kind of adult who has her life together, so Kestrel is unsurprised that she has to be the responsible one, even as she's contending with the unwelcome novelty of their journey. Kestrel's never even been on a plane before but, like her namesake, she embraces flight.
What she doesn't embrace is the unexpected departure from where she and her mom lived with her grandfather in San Diego. Mom says they're going to be staying in Montana for the summer so that Mom can continue studying the dogs she'd been specializing in before her college career was cut short. Kestrel doesn't understand why their leaving had to be so abrupt, or why she isn't allowed to call Grandfather now. She doesn't like all the changes to her normal routines, and she especially doesn't like dogs, having had nothing but negative experiences with them growing up.
But the longer she stays at the Karelian bear dog ranch, the more she begins to realize that her previous life in San Diego maybe wasn't so healthy for either her or her mom. Her grandfather's love came with repressive strings. Will Kestrel be able to overcome her overly strict upbringing and give Montana a chance, or will her family's secrets prove their undoing?
This is a great book about how insidious emotional abuse can be and how hard it is to break free of it. Kestrel's struggles -- including the way she lashes out at the people around her -- are extremely normal for a kid who's never been given choices, only discipline. Some of the language of the afterword lacked nuance despite the author's own attempts to fix that, but emotional abuse is a tough subject to talk about, as it can be so slippery to pin down in and of itself. Like, being constantly ignored by someone doesn't mean that they're emotionally abusing you unless they're your caregiver or otherwise telling you that they do want a healthy intimate relationship with you. But in a world where kids' psyches are being warped by the emotional cruelty of the very people who are supposed to be guiding them lovingly towards adulthood, books like these are necessary in underlining what's acceptable parenting and what isn't. Frankly, it's great that Kestrel is learning about this at her age instead of when she's older and it's even harder to break free of the cycles of the past.
This is a somber yet hopeful story of learning to embrace love and kindness, and finding freedom from an almost invisible form of abuse. The verse format makes it a very quick but heartfelt read, perfect for shorter attention spans.
Kestrel Takes Flight by Joy McCullough was published May 26 2026 by Atheneum Books For Young Readers and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!
8/13/2026 I think the main thing I need to get over when reading books in verse is that the poetry is never going to grab me as art in and of itself. None of these poems stand alone, at least in my initial read of the book, but they all stand together beautifully to tell a coming-of-age tale at once spare in words yet surprisingly full in emotion.
Eleven year-old Kestrel is not happy when her mom wakes her up in the middle of the night and whisks her away for an airplane ride. Mom isn't really the kind of adult who has her life together, so Kestrel is unsurprised that she has to be the responsible one, even as she's contending with the unwelcome novelty of their journey. Kestrel's never even been on a plane before but, like her namesake, she embraces flight.
What she doesn't embrace is the unexpected departure from where she and her mom lived with her grandfather in San Diego. Mom says they're going to be staying in Montana for the summer so that Mom can continue studying the dogs she'd been specializing in before her college career was cut short. Kestrel doesn't understand why their leaving had to be so abrupt, or why she isn't allowed to call Grandfather now. She doesn't like all the changes to her normal routines, and she especially doesn't like dogs, having had nothing but negative experiences with them growing up.
But the longer she stays at the Karelian bear dog ranch, the more she begins to realize that her previous life in San Diego maybe wasn't so healthy for either her or her mom. Her grandfather's love came with repressive strings. Will Kestrel be able to overcome her overly strict upbringing and give Montana a chance, or will her family's secrets prove their undoing?
This is a great book about how insidious emotional abuse can be and how hard it is to break free of it. Kestrel's struggles -- including the way she lashes out at the people around her -- are extremely normal for a kid who's never been given choices, only discipline. Some of the language of the afterword lacked nuance despite the author's own attempts to fix that, but emotional abuse is a tough subject to talk about, as it can be so slippery to pin down in and of itself. Like, being constantly ignored by someone doesn't mean that they're emotionally abusing you unless they're your caregiver or otherwise telling you that they do want a healthy intimate relationship with you. But in a world where kids' psyches are being warped by the emotional cruelty of the very people who are supposed to be guiding them lovingly towards adulthood, books like these are necessary in underlining what's acceptable parenting and what isn't. Frankly, it's great that Kestrel is learning about this at her age instead of when she's older and it's even harder to break free of the cycles of the past.
This is a somber yet hopeful story of learning to embrace love and kindness, and finding freedom from an almost invisible form of abuse. The verse format makes it a very quick but heartfelt read, perfect for shorter attention spans.
Kestrel Takes Flight by Joy McCullough was published May 26 2026 by Atheneum Books For Young Readers and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I have to admit: I only picked up this book because of my 3rd-grader's absolute obsession with birds. My boys usually read adventure fantasy with battle scenes, and I was not expecting a novel in verse to be a hit.
They love it. There is something about the spare prose and the intimate way the story unfolds that draws them in. I've been reading it out loud at bedtime, and they never want to put it down. The "in verse" part, in my opinion, just makes it easier to read out loud, with natural space and calm.
The story brings up natural discussion points around fear, parental love, and honesty. I have been surprised by some of the observations and expectations my kids have, and it has been a vehicle for some new conversations.
That said, I'll add a content warning — this has a very strong theme of escaping religious authority, in the person of the. grandfather. Some parents will be uncomfortable with that, and some children would over-generalize the grandfather's actions as representing all religion. The broken family themes could be unsettling for some children as well. (I am including teens in that — young teens can be some of the most literal readers.)
Partly because the prose is so spare, the message is subtle and not didactic — which I MUCH prefer for children's literature!! — but that makes it all the more important for adults to be ready to have discussions around the subject matter. I found this book darker and more emotionally complex than what the blurb implied.
I would highly recommend this for a read-aloud with mid-elementary school children, where it is pleasant for the adult to read and provides a vehicle for discussion. I would also recommend it for readers, grades 5-7, who are struggling with some of the mechanics of reading yet still looking for a more sophisticated emotional experience; all the white space on the page makes it feel more accessible. I would also recommend for reading with children from complex or broken homes, with support to navigate the emotions and feelings that come up.
This is a beautiful book. My children can't wait to get back to it every evening. I'm glad the kestrel flew its way into our heart and brought this story to us!
They love it. There is something about the spare prose and the intimate way the story unfolds that draws them in. I've been reading it out loud at bedtime, and they never want to put it down. The "in verse" part, in my opinion, just makes it easier to read out loud, with natural space and calm.
The story brings up natural discussion points around fear, parental love, and honesty. I have been surprised by some of the observations and expectations my kids have, and it has been a vehicle for some new conversations.
That said, I'll add a content warning — this has a very strong theme of escaping religious authority, in the person of the. grandfather. Some parents will be uncomfortable with that, and some children would over-generalize the grandfather's actions as representing all religion. The broken family themes could be unsettling for some children as well. (I am including teens in that — young teens can be some of the most literal readers.)
Partly because the prose is so spare, the message is subtle and not didactic — which I MUCH prefer for children's literature!! — but that makes it all the more important for adults to be ready to have discussions around the subject matter. I found this book darker and more emotionally complex than what the blurb implied.
I would highly recommend this for a read-aloud with mid-elementary school children, where it is pleasant for the adult to read and provides a vehicle for discussion. I would also recommend it for readers, grades 5-7, who are struggling with some of the mechanics of reading yet still looking for a more sophisticated emotional experience; all the white space on the page makes it feel more accessible. I would also recommend for reading with children from complex or broken homes, with support to navigate the emotions and feelings that come up.
This is a beautiful book. My children can't wait to get back to it every evening. I'm glad the kestrel flew its way into our heart and brought this story to us!
June 2, 2026
Kestrel, named after a bird of prey, and her mother board a plane to travel to Montana. While her mother wrestles with her fear of flying, Kestrel wonders why they left in the middle of the night without telling her grandfather. As the reader hears about Kestrel's grandpa, it becomes clear why her mother took her away in the middle of the night. Having had her whole life dictated by her grandfather's strict religious (and other) beliefs, Kestrel's never done a lot of things. She's only gone to a county fair because her mother snuck her out while her grandfather was absent. Kestrel struggles to adjust to her new living situation in Montana. She's not used to having a bit of freedom to stretch her wings.
As Kestrel adapts to her new circumstances and starts to befriend and even assist those around her, she starts to appreciate her newfound freedom. But will it be enough when her grandfather comes looking to reclaim her? McCullough's free verse allows the story to flow directly from Kestrel's own mouth. The emotions are tangible, first anger and frustration, then hesitation as she doesn't know how to guide her own actions at first, and finally appreciation for her new found residence which feels more like a home than her grandfather's house. The storyline around the dogs who are trained to scare away bears adds an interesting element to the plot, especially because of Kestrel's fear of dogs. The secondary characters, other than the grandfather, provide a striking contrast to the people Kestrel's spent time around before her arrival in Montana. And the puppies, as one might expect, provide a lighter, sweet touch to the story of Kestrel spreading her wings and leaving the nest so to speak. A tender story of awakening and growth as well as facing the realities of what her life used to be, Kestrel Takes Flight provides a great read for young readers. Highly recommended.
As Kestrel adapts to her new circumstances and starts to befriend and even assist those around her, she starts to appreciate her newfound freedom. But will it be enough when her grandfather comes looking to reclaim her? McCullough's free verse allows the story to flow directly from Kestrel's own mouth. The emotions are tangible, first anger and frustration, then hesitation as she doesn't know how to guide her own actions at first, and finally appreciation for her new found residence which feels more like a home than her grandfather's house. The storyline around the dogs who are trained to scare away bears adds an interesting element to the plot, especially because of Kestrel's fear of dogs. The secondary characters, other than the grandfather, provide a striking contrast to the people Kestrel's spent time around before her arrival in Montana. And the puppies, as one might expect, provide a lighter, sweet touch to the story of Kestrel spreading her wings and leaving the nest so to speak. A tender story of awakening and growth as well as facing the realities of what her life used to be, Kestrel Takes Flight provides a great read for young readers. Highly recommended.
June 26, 2026
📚✨ What happens when a Kids book club dives into ancient pyramids, fascinating trivia, brave birds, and finding your own voice? A whole lot of great conversations!
For this month's Kids Book Club, we read Ancient Egypt by Ken Jennings and Kestrel Takes Flight by Joy McCullough, and both books sparked plenty of discussion.
I loved how Ancient Egypt made history feel fun and accessible. Packed with quirky facts, colorful illustrations, and interactive quizzes, it kept readers engaged from start to finish. The kids especially enjoyed sharing their favorite trivia with each other. There were lots of "Wait, really?!" Moments. Several readers said they loved learning about Egyptian gods, mummies, and daily life, while the quizzes made them feel like history experts.
Kestrel Takes Flight offered a completely different reading experience but was just as memorable. Through Kestrel's journey of leaving behind the only life she's ever known, the story explores courage, healing, family, and self-discovery. The kids connected with Kestrel's feelings of uncertainty and appreciated watching her grow more confident as the story progressed. Many were fascinated by the conservation dogs and wildlife elements, while others loved seeing Kestrel learn that it's okay to ask questions and find her own path.
Together, these books balance learning and storytelling beautifully. One gave us fascinating facts and plenty of laughs, while the other opened the door to meaningful conversations about resilience, change, and belonging.
⚡️Thank you, Atheneum Books, for Young Readers, Simon Kids, Ken Jennings, and Joy McCullough, for sharing these books with us!
For this month's Kids Book Club, we read Ancient Egypt by Ken Jennings and Kestrel Takes Flight by Joy McCullough, and both books sparked plenty of discussion.
I loved how Ancient Egypt made history feel fun and accessible. Packed with quirky facts, colorful illustrations, and interactive quizzes, it kept readers engaged from start to finish. The kids especially enjoyed sharing their favorite trivia with each other. There were lots of "Wait, really?!" Moments. Several readers said they loved learning about Egyptian gods, mummies, and daily life, while the quizzes made them feel like history experts.
Kestrel Takes Flight offered a completely different reading experience but was just as memorable. Through Kestrel's journey of leaving behind the only life she's ever known, the story explores courage, healing, family, and self-discovery. The kids connected with Kestrel's feelings of uncertainty and appreciated watching her grow more confident as the story progressed. Many were fascinated by the conservation dogs and wildlife elements, while others loved seeing Kestrel learn that it's okay to ask questions and find her own path.
Together, these books balance learning and storytelling beautifully. One gave us fascinating facts and plenty of laughs, while the other opened the door to meaningful conversations about resilience, change, and belonging.
⚡️Thank you, Atheneum Books, for Young Readers, Simon Kids, Ken Jennings, and Joy McCullough, for sharing these books with us!
Review of advance copy
Gr 4 & Up – Kestrel is both a girl and the name of the smallest bird of prey, and in this novel in verse the main character is woken in the middle of the night and forced to leave the only home she has ever known. Her mother takes her under cover of darkness to a ranch in Montana, far from the insular church community where Kestrel has been raised by her grandfather. At the ranch, Kestrel struggles to adjust to a new life, including the large guardian dogs raised to protect people and farms from bears. Leaving behind her grandfather and the only community she has known is confusing, even as she begins to recognize that his world was strict and emotionally controlling.
McCollough offers a tender look at a girl and her mother as they slowly begin to build a life outside the shadow of an emotionally manipulative elder. Kestrel’s relationship with her grandfather is handled thoughtfully, showing the complicated mix of love, loyalty, and fear that can exist in families. While the verse format makes the story accessible to many readers, the brevity sometimes limits how deeply the situation can be explored.
VERDICT: A secondary purchase for middle grade collections. An accessible and heartfelt story about emotional control, resilience, and finding a path forward.
McCollough offers a tender look at a girl and her mother as they slowly begin to build a life outside the shadow of an emotionally manipulative elder. Kestrel’s relationship with her grandfather is handled thoughtfully, showing the complicated mix of love, loyalty, and fear that can exist in families. While the verse format makes the story accessible to many readers, the brevity sometimes limits how deeply the situation can be explored.
VERDICT: A secondary purchase for middle grade collections. An accessible and heartfelt story about emotional control, resilience, and finding a path forward.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoy reading middle grade novels in verse and this was no exception. Kestrel and her mom secretly head to Montana, leaving behind Kestrel's grandfather who is the head of an extremely strict religious community. And it's at this research center where Kestrel begins to realize that she is stronger than she ever imagined and braver than she ever expected.
I think novels in verse are a great way to get kids reading longer novels without the intimidation of so much text on the page. I think it takes a specific level of skill to portray a character, setting, and plot with a text limitation. I also think a book like this would be a great title for a book discussion and would be easy for kids to finish and talk about. There's so much content available for discussion and honestly, I'd love for it to be even more. I wanted to dive deeper into Kestrel's world and the constraint of a novel in verse is that I was left wanting more. Overall, I think this is a beautiful story of love, complicated family relationships, and coming into your own.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atheneum Books for Young Readers for an eARC of this title.
I think novels in verse are a great way to get kids reading longer novels without the intimidation of so much text on the page. I think it takes a specific level of skill to portray a character, setting, and plot with a text limitation. I also think a book like this would be a great title for a book discussion and would be easy for kids to finish and talk about. There's so much content available for discussion and honestly, I'd love for it to be even more. I wanted to dive deeper into Kestrel's world and the constraint of a novel in verse is that I was left wanting more. Overall, I think this is a beautiful story of love, complicated family relationships, and coming into your own.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atheneum Books for Young Readers for an eARC of this title.
June 13, 2026
This is a lovely verse novel about a powerful story: an 11 year old girl and her mom are fleeing verbal abuse and controlling behavior from the girl's grandfather. The girl's mom gets a job in the western US helping at a facility to train a Russian breed of dog to keep bears and humans apart, without hurting the bears. (The story is based on a real dog training facility.) As the girl learns to advocate for the dogs and the bears, she slowly gains the strength and confidence to advocate for herself. Since this is a verse novel, it is a quick but impactful read. Highly recommend for 5th grade and up.
There is plenty of good information shared as part of the story about how helpful to the ecosystem the bears are and how difficult it is for them to find food now in our forests and lands depleted by human activity, drawing them into the human world. The book makes clear how dangerous they can be to humans, hence the need for the dogs, a way to stop bears from hurting someone without having to resort to killing them. A conservation story with a heart.
There is plenty of good information shared as part of the story about how helpful to the ecosystem the bears are and how difficult it is for them to find food now in our forests and lands depleted by human activity, drawing them into the human world. The book makes clear how dangerous they can be to humans, hence the need for the dogs, a way to stop bears from hurting someone without having to resort to killing them. A conservation story with a heart.
June 15, 2026
What a necessary story for young people! I listened to this audiobook with my children. This was a great story walking through a young girls growth and understanding that the person she loves was abusive and how that affected herself and her mother. Then how she made the hard choice to remove herself from that situation.
I was a little nervous when the book makes it clear that the grandfather is a strongly religious person using his faith and authority negatively but the story never turned hatefully against people of faith. As a Christian myself, I can recognize the truth that there are people who manipulate and twist scripture but that doesn’t make all Christians or Christianity bad.
I absolutely would recommend this book for all young people except I do think it should be noted that there are 2 times characters use words I prefer for my kids not to hear.
I was a little nervous when the book makes it clear that the grandfather is a strongly religious person using his faith and authority negatively but the story never turned hatefully against people of faith. As a Christian myself, I can recognize the truth that there are people who manipulate and twist scripture but that doesn’t make all Christians or Christianity bad.
I absolutely would recommend this book for all young people except I do think it should be noted that there are 2 times characters use words I prefer for my kids not to hear.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2026
Sometimes finding your wings means leaving everything you’ve ever known behind.
🦅
After being suddenly uprooted from her grandfather’s strict religious community, Kestrel finds herself in the Montana wilderness, where her mother is working with conservation dogs that help protect both people and bears. Angry, scared, and struggling to adjust, Kes slowly begins to gain perspective on the life she left behind. As she forms new connections and discovers her own strength, she learns what home, safety, and freedom can truly mean.
🐶
This middle grade novel-in-verse shows a girl healing from trauma she didn’t even know she had. I love how novels-in-verse can be so accessible for many readers and the message of this one was especially heartwarming and freeing.
CW: religious bigotry, emotional abuse
🦅
After being suddenly uprooted from her grandfather’s strict religious community, Kestrel finds herself in the Montana wilderness, where her mother is working with conservation dogs that help protect both people and bears. Angry, scared, and struggling to adjust, Kes slowly begins to gain perspective on the life she left behind. As she forms new connections and discovers her own strength, she learns what home, safety, and freedom can truly mean.
🐶
This middle grade novel-in-verse shows a girl healing from trauma she didn’t even know she had. I love how novels-in-verse can be so accessible for many readers and the message of this one was especially heartwarming and freeing.
CW: religious bigotry, emotional abuse
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I love verse novels, so I was excited for this book. Also, it features characters learning to be brave, about amazing animals (mainly dogs and bears), and the main character is named for a bird. So, high hopes here. And I was well rewarded. This book was powerful in many good ways. I love how a good verse novels can tell and imply so much with so few words. That power is definitely in Kestrel Takes Flight. A real winner.
The book has a central theme of escaping a restrictive life -- leaving Grandpa, the church leader, in the middle of the night. This propels the story as Kestrel copes with leaving the only home she's ever known, and gradually processing how restricted her life had been. She still loves her Grandpa, but realizes that she might not want to go back to him. There's a lot packed into the spare verses. The best kind of storytelling, IMHO.
The book has a central theme of escaping a restrictive life -- leaving Grandpa, the church leader, in the middle of the night. This propels the story as Kestrel copes with leaving the only home she's ever known, and gradually processing how restricted her life had been. She still loves her Grandpa, but realizes that she might not want to go back to him. There's a lot packed into the spare verses. The best kind of storytelling, IMHO.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Kestrel Takes Flight follows a girl whose mother has just fled the coercive control of her grandfather, taking Kestrel with her. As they work with dogs trained to drive off bears, Kestrel must work past her fear of dogs, and her fear of the outside world.
I loved watching Kestrel realize she had agency in her choices. That she could choose. That's something that's such a hard shift to make for those who've experienced extreme coercive control. And the way the author shares the pastor grandfather's use of religion to force his own will into every single crevice of his church and family rang true to some experiences I have observed.
This story was compelling and empowering in the best ways.
I loved watching Kestrel realize she had agency in her choices. That she could choose. That's something that's such a hard shift to make for those who've experienced extreme coercive control. And the way the author shares the pastor grandfather's use of religion to force his own will into every single crevice of his church and family rang true to some experiences I have observed.
This story was compelling and empowering in the best ways.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Kestrel Takes Flight is very sparsely written, even for a novel in verse. I had a hard time connecting with Kestrel as a character because we learn almost nothing about her, her likes, her dislikes, any defining personality traits. Maybe that was intentional, as her whole world had been limited to her grandfather’s strict fundamentalist community. But that still didn’t make for a very engaging read.
And although her mother did the right thing by taking her daughter out of an abusive environment, I was a little uncomfortable with the way she downplayed Kestrel’s fear of dogs. Karelian Bear Dogs may not be aggressive to humans but try telling that to a sheltered, terrified kid.
And although her mother did the right thing by taking her daughter out of an abusive environment, I was a little uncomfortable with the way she downplayed Kestrel’s fear of dogs. Karelian Bear Dogs may not be aggressive to humans but try telling that to a sheltered, terrified kid.
June 29, 2026
Oh, wow. I enjoyed this book SO MUCH. Often, after I read a novel in verse, I am left wanting more... more story, more character development... but this one was perfect. Just perfect.
The author created beautiful, full characters in so few words, and I loved them so much at the end. Kestral, her mom, Doc... wonderful people.
This book is great for middle schoolers and even upper elementary readers. I loved the author's note at the end, although I think it should be at the beginning to catch readers' attention before they even start the book. It is so validating for those experiencing emotional abuse, and I love how the author addressed it to kids specifically.
So important.
The author created beautiful, full characters in so few words, and I loved them so much at the end. Kestral, her mom, Doc... wonderful people.
This book is great for middle schoolers and even upper elementary readers. I loved the author's note at the end, although I think it should be at the beginning to catch readers' attention before they even start the book. It is so validating for those experiencing emotional abuse, and I love how the author addressed it to kids specifically.
So important.
May 26, 2026
Yet another inspiring and deeply moving book from one of my very favorite authors! Her versatility in setting, plot, and delivery keeps me excited every time I hear that a new story of hers is coming to readers. Kestrel's vulnerability, as she navigates a new way of life with her brave mother, is conveyed so well in McCullough's verse novel. With emotion, action, danger, dogs, and LOTS of heart, this is a book that should be in every classroom/library. It would be fantastic for any home collection and would make a great read-aloud for families as well.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
What a beautiful novel. There is something about reading a book written in verse that I love. It heightens the feelings somehow. Kestrel is a strong female lead character trying to make her way through a very difficult transition. I love how McCullough focuses on Kestrel's feelings while giving the reader just enough of the background to make those emotions feel disjointed from the reality of her story. This book will definitely find its way to our library's shelves.
June 23, 2026
- she is scared of dogs!
- her mom took her to a place full of dogs
- karelian bear dogs trained to scare away bears
- can the dogs protect her from someone more dangerous than a bear?
Very emotional and heartfelt novel-in-verse of a girl named Kestrel, who is raised by an emotionally abusive grandfather until her mother takes her away to Montana. Kestrel struggles to get used to her new home, but she is beginning to feel loved, valued, and not alone.
- her mom took her to a place full of dogs
- karelian bear dogs trained to scare away bears
- can the dogs protect her from someone more dangerous than a bear?
Very emotional and heartfelt novel-in-verse of a girl named Kestrel, who is raised by an emotionally abusive grandfather until her mother takes her away to Montana. Kestrel struggles to get used to her new home, but she is beginning to feel loved, valued, and not alone.
June 29, 2026
In secret, 11 yo Kestrel’s mom rushes them from his grandfather’s religious community in CA into the hills of Montana. There, her mom is working to help train dogs to keep both humans and the bears in the area safe from each other. But Kestrel is terrified of dogs and she hates living in Montana though she slowly begins to understand how controlling her grandfather was and that maybe she could become as brave as the little bird of prey after which she was named.
July 20, 2026
Beautiful story about found family after experiencing trauma. I was glad the mom found enough strength to leave the abuse they were experiencing. But I don't know why this book is novel-in-verse. It lacked all of the things that make verse books so powerful. If readers liked "The Wrong Way Home" by O'Shaughnessy, they may enjoy this one. If readers want more than this book, suggest "The Wrong Way Home."
August 11, 2026
“McCollough offers a tender look at a girl and her mother as they slowly begin to build a life outside the shadow of an emotionally manipulative elder. Kestrel’s relationship with her grandfather is handled thoughtfully, showing the complicated mix of love, loyalty, and fear that can exist in families. An accessible and heartfelt story about emotional control, resilience, and finding a path forward.” [School Library Journal]
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This shares similarities with The Wrong Way Home in that Kestrel is taken away by her mother from the abusive home she knows and she immediately wants to go back. However, because of the verse format, the pacing is much quicker here which makes this a faster read, but it also means there is not as much room for nuance.
July 1, 2026
This middle grade novel in verse deals with verbal and emotional abuse, but it is handled with care for readers that might have experienced or are experiencing this type of abuse. While reading, I learned about bears and a special breed of dog that helps with bear/human interactions. I hope to add this book to my middle school library collection.
Review of advance copy
This is a 2026 favorite! Kestrel and her mom sneak away from a controlling relative and start anew on a ranch with specialty dogs that help protect humans from bears. This was fascinating and new to me. I also enjoyed the verse format.
June 24, 2026
If we could make all dogs this useful, I'd might grow to like them. This was decent, but I'd recommend The Wrong Way Home as a book with similar themes that dives into emotions more. But this one is in verse and some will prefer that.
June 26, 2026
It was very intriguing and made me wanna keep going. I am 11 years old and was able to finish the book reading aloud with my mom in one evening. Actually, my mom fell asleep and had to finish it the next day. I really liked learning about the special dogs that can keep us safe from bears.
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