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Birdlands: 'One of McGowan's best.' The Telegraph best new children's books
From Carnegie-winning author Anthony McGowan comes another thrilling and heartbreaking animal adventure
An unlikely flock. The adventure of a lifetime.
Life can be tough when you’re a bird, especially for Beaky, Herman and Pidge. With the young jackdaw’s twisted beak, the crow’s broken wing and the pigeon’s fear of flying, survival seems impossible. Until, that is, they band together.
The trio set out into the wild, leaving the city far behind. But danger lurks at every turn… Will the three birds ever find a place they can call home?
An unlikely flock. The adventure of a lifetime.
Life can be tough when you’re a bird, especially for Beaky, Herman and Pidge. With the young jackdaw’s twisted beak, the crow’s broken wing and the pigeon’s fear of flying, survival seems impossible. Until, that is, they band together.
The trio set out into the wild, leaving the city far behind. But danger lurks at every turn… Will the three birds ever find a place they can call home?
171 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 14, 2026
About the author
Anthony McGowan
98 books86 followersAnthony John McGowan is an English author of books for children, teenagers and adults. He is the winner of the 2020 CILIP Carnegie Medal for Lark. In addition to his 2020 win, he has been twice longlisted (for The Knife That Killed Me in 2008 and Brock in 2014) and once shortlisted (for Rook in 2018) for the CILIP Carnegie Medal, and is the winner of the 2006 Booktrust Teenage Prize for Henry Tumour.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Here, three hard-done-by birds, a crow with a damaged wing, a starving jackdaw and a pigeon with two gammy feet, combine on a trek overland to the mythical Dump. They're a motley crew, gathered at a remote train station (so remote the doors still have opening windows), but when they realise there's nothing there for them but a weak ending, they decide to fight for something stronger. But they'll have to fight a lot on the way, for this is not a gentle world…
This was really compelling stuff – short chapters, presented very smartly with the heading art and other illustrations dropped in, and a piece of high drama. It's somehow both really poetic and at the same time completely determined to show the dog-eat-dog nature of life, with woundings, oaths and everyone's body at risk at some point or other. "And now I will slaughter you and tear out your soft insides, and you will see them there beside you before you die." Indeed.
To me this was a lot more successful than Dogs of the Deadlands, his previous (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...), with its contrived plot and inability to focus on one age for its audience. This, as I say, is full of the wild's darkness and gore, to a certain tween-friendly extent, but also heart-warming, a found family saga that seems to nail the birds' character as strongly as any nature documentary, or Ted Hughes poem. Of course it relies on our love of the underdog, but it has a smart story, and an ending to stay with you. Four and a half stars.
This was really compelling stuff – short chapters, presented very smartly with the heading art and other illustrations dropped in, and a piece of high drama. It's somehow both really poetic and at the same time completely determined to show the dog-eat-dog nature of life, with woundings, oaths and everyone's body at risk at some point or other. "And now I will slaughter you and tear out your soft insides, and you will see them there beside you before you die." Indeed.
To me this was a lot more successful than Dogs of the Deadlands, his previous (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...), with its contrived plot and inability to focus on one age for its audience. This, as I say, is full of the wild's darkness and gore, to a certain tween-friendly extent, but also heart-warming, a found family saga that seems to nail the birds' character as strongly as any nature documentary, or Ted Hughes poem. Of course it relies on our love of the underdog, but it has a smart story, and an ending to stay with you. Four and a half stars.
May 27, 2026
Brutal, brisk and brief. Watership Down for birds.
I've loved McGowan's short novels over the last few years, he fits deep themes and harsh truths in clipped running times. Here is no different. It's nature as it really is - not happy, not fairy tale - kill or be killed, find food or die, strong prey on the weak.
Three birds, first named by a boy who takes pity on the scruffy lot and who tries to feed them, band together to make their way to the 'promised land' of The Dump.
Beaky the jackdaw has never had a straight beak. Herman the crow was once strong and proud but now can't fly with a broken wing. And who knows why Pidge is refusing to get off the ground?
With philosophical discussions, repeating jokes, some great interplay and conversations the threesome help each other over rivers, away from predators, and onward from one starvation meal to the next.
How a fictional book about three birds made me cry, I can't quite put into words. But I did. It's not all doom and gloom, I definitely laughed at Pidge, I admired the courage and friendship the three show each other, the reveal of their sad backstories, the Richard Adams-like tone of the plot.
Mature writing, it's not too graphic for upper primary readers but may upset. This title shows you don't need bells, whistles and f@rt jokes to make a compelling read for children, and it also makes you look at the birds around you with a little more compassion. Excuse me while I go and put out some mealworms.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
I've loved McGowan's short novels over the last few years, he fits deep themes and harsh truths in clipped running times. Here is no different. It's nature as it really is - not happy, not fairy tale - kill or be killed, find food or die, strong prey on the weak.
Three birds, first named by a boy who takes pity on the scruffy lot and who tries to feed them, band together to make their way to the 'promised land' of The Dump.
Beaky the jackdaw has never had a straight beak. Herman the crow was once strong and proud but now can't fly with a broken wing. And who knows why Pidge is refusing to get off the ground?
With philosophical discussions, repeating jokes, some great interplay and conversations the threesome help each other over rivers, away from predators, and onward from one starvation meal to the next.
How a fictional book about three birds made me cry, I can't quite put into words. But I did. It's not all doom and gloom, I definitely laughed at Pidge, I admired the courage and friendship the three show each other, the reveal of their sad backstories, the Richard Adams-like tone of the plot.
Mature writing, it's not too graphic for upper primary readers but may upset. This title shows you don't need bells, whistles and f@rt jokes to make a compelling read for children, and it also makes you look at the birds around you with a little more compassion. Excuse me while I go and put out some mealworms.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
May 11, 2026
Birdlands may be short but it is so full of life and emotion. The journey is a thrilling ride and I loved the connection to humans and how this was interwoven. The characters are well imagined, with pieces of art sprinkled throughout to add even more to the scene. How grief, resilience and determination pack into this story is beautiful. There’s this overarching theme of hope and how powerful this is. Overall a fantastic read about friends and the support they offer. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an e-copy. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thoroughly enjoyed this tale of friendship, bravery, and resilience of these 3 birds. It was quite an adventure, somewhat emotional at times! It also shows that having courage can get you through some tough times with support from friends.
This is the first book I've read by Anthony McGowan, which I would recommend to both children and adults.
This is the first book I've read by Anthony McGowan, which I would recommend to both children and adults.
May 1, 2026
Absolutely brilliant book for anyone aged 9 to 90. You can read my full review here: https://vsviewfromthebookshelves.home...
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews