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Firebird
Set in a dystopian vision of the future, Firebird and her brother Ford live in a swamp on the edge of the city with their father and grandmother. They make a living by trapping eels - or so they believe until they discover that the eel smokery has been closed for a year. 'Deliverance' meets 'Brother in the Land' in this disturbing and dystopian vision of an isolated family.
176 pages, Paperback
First published July 7, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 28, 2012
Firebird and Ford live in the swamp with their father (Trapper) and grandmother. Trapper and Ford trap eels to support the family, and Firebird spends her time daydreaming and making purses out of eel skin and feathers. (That's meant to be Firebird on the cover, but she has red hair in the book. Hence the name.) Their mother has been dead for years. The family hides from the outside world in an isolated swamp, hidden from view by a huge billboard. And then the lies start surfacing, about every aspect of their lives. Including what happened to their mother.
Most of this book is quite good. The characterization of Ford and Firebird, especially their deep reluctance to believe the truths they're being faced with, is very believable. Especially given their very isolated life. (It's never put this way in the book, that I can remember, but I'd lay good money that Ford and Firebird could count on one hand the number of people outside their family that they've spoken to in their entire lives.) The family's crisis point flows naturally from everything that came before.
I only really have a couple little nitpicks. The ending is so abrupt and leaves so much story untold that it's not an ending so much as it's an arbitrary stopping point. It has exactly the same effect as walking away from a book with a chapter unread. I don't think a sequel is planned (Firebird seems to be the same book under a different title.) And there's at least one huge question left unanswered, or even speculated about. Why is this family so intent on hiding away from the world? Supposedly, they've always lived like this. But why? The closest we get to an answer is Trapper saying that there's nothing they need in the city. But that's just a reason to live in the country, not to hide so completely that nobody knows you exist.
Incidentally, some blurbs call this book dystopian. (See the one on the Firebird page.) It is so not dystopian. The setting sure looked contemporary to me, or maybe five minutes in the future. There's just nothing to justify calling it dystopian. And since that's the blurb I read before adding it to my TBR, I have to say that I was a little disappointed. Luckily, the story is good enough that I got over it, but it's still irritating.
Most of this book is quite good. The characterization of Ford and Firebird, especially their deep reluctance to believe the truths they're being faced with, is very believable. Especially given their very isolated life. (It's never put this way in the book, that I can remember, but I'd lay good money that Ford and Firebird could count on one hand the number of people outside their family that they've spoken to in their entire lives.) The family's crisis point flows naturally from everything that came before.
I only really have a couple little nitpicks. The ending is so abrupt and leaves so much story untold that it's not an ending so much as it's an arbitrary stopping point. It has exactly the same effect as walking away from a book with a chapter unread. I don't think a sequel is planned (Firebird seems to be the same book under a different title.) And there's at least one huge question left unanswered, or even speculated about. Why is this family so intent on hiding away from the world? Supposedly, they've always lived like this. But why? The closest we get to an answer is Trapper saying that there's nothing they need in the city. But that's just a reason to live in the country, not to hide so completely that nobody knows you exist.
Incidentally, some blurbs call this book dystopian. (See the one on the Firebird page.) It is so not dystopian. The setting sure looked contemporary to me, or maybe five minutes in the future. There's just nothing to justify calling it dystopian. And since that's the blurb I read before adding it to my TBR, I have to say that I was a little disappointed. Luckily, the story is good enough that I got over it, but it's still irritating.
August 20, 2020
A provocative story about two teens who live on a swamp with their Dad and Nana. They soon learn their entire life is a lie, as the city, climate change, and their supposedly dead mother encroach upon their little world.
A brilliant story that got me thinking.
I originally read this as a child and didn't pick up on the details and complex issues that were discussed in the book. Having reread it as an adult, it's very clever and eye-opening. I was very surprised. I really should read Young Adult more often.
I recommend this book.
A brilliant story that got me thinking.
I originally read this as a child and didn't pick up on the details and complex issues that were discussed in the book. Having reread it as an adult, it's very clever and eye-opening. I was very surprised. I really should read Young Adult more often.
I recommend this book.
November 29, 2013
I'm sorry to say this remained predictable up to the very last page, but there was still something likeable about it. As a book written for young readers (and certainly not my analytical mind), I'll stay neutral with 3 stars, but I only really recommend this for readers in their early teens.
January 8, 2024
This is a young adult story with two distinct themes. This is not a dystopian novel as some readers have said. The first theme is a dysfunctional family 'living' in a swamp and the lies the twin teenagers are told to keep them isolated and away from the city on their doorstep. The second theme is climate change as it has affected this wetland. More tropical flora and fauna are now living in this wetland but the father refuses to consider climate change. The adults in this story do not shine. Firebird is the girl and it's her POV we mostly follow. The feeling of the vibrant yet oppressive wetland are well described as are the twins. the adults are more cursorily patched in and difficult to relate to. The story is well presented for its target audience.
July 21, 2020
This book was.. Okay. It wasn't good, it wasn't bad. It was just okay. I feel as though it could of been better, and I feel like it would have been nicer to extend the ending a bit. I felt like I wanted to see more of what would of happened to the twins.
March 30, 2018
Heart-Melting.
November 10, 2012
Reviewed by Marta Morrison for TeensReadToo.com
This book surprised me. I liked it a lot.
Firebird and Ford are thirteen-year-old twins. They have lived all of their life with their grandma and dad because their mother died in childbirth. Trapper, the dad, is in the eel business. Ford and Trapper spend all their days hunting eel in the swamp where they live. Firebird sits and looks at a billboard which hides them from the outside and dreams of seeing faraway places. She also makes purses out of eel skins and colorful feathers. Her grandma takes them and puts them in a locked cupboard.
One day, Firebird runs out of feathers and looks in the cupboard for some more. To her surprise there aren't any purses there. Her grandmother has been lying to her. Firebird then follows her into the city and finds that grandma has been selling her purses there. This floors Firebird and causes her to wonder what is true in her life.
I liked BEYOND THE BILLBOARD but at times I needed to suspend belief. I don't think that people can live so close to a big city with children and no one would know. But, if you can believe that, then the story is excellent and the mystery is interesting.
I had a hard time with the eels but the characters are great. I wanted to be Firebird's friend. I also want to know more about the twins. If you find this book then read it. It is a good one.
This book surprised me. I liked it a lot.
Firebird and Ford are thirteen-year-old twins. They have lived all of their life with their grandma and dad because their mother died in childbirth. Trapper, the dad, is in the eel business. Ford and Trapper spend all their days hunting eel in the swamp where they live. Firebird sits and looks at a billboard which hides them from the outside and dreams of seeing faraway places. She also makes purses out of eel skins and colorful feathers. Her grandma takes them and puts them in a locked cupboard.
One day, Firebird runs out of feathers and looks in the cupboard for some more. To her surprise there aren't any purses there. Her grandmother has been lying to her. Firebird then follows her into the city and finds that grandma has been selling her purses there. This floors Firebird and causes her to wonder what is true in her life.
I liked BEYOND THE BILLBOARD but at times I needed to suspend belief. I don't think that people can live so close to a big city with children and no one would know. But, if you can believe that, then the story is excellent and the mystery is interesting.
I had a hard time with the eels but the characters are great. I wanted to be Firebird's friend. I also want to know more about the twins. If you find this book then read it. It is a good one.
May 2, 2011
I had never heard anything about this book before I picked it up from the library.
First off I would say this book is aimed more at younger readers, rather than the Young Adult market. Although this did not stop me enjoying the book.
It is classed as a Dystopian novel, I would not call it that! I have read and reviewed a number of Young Adult dystopian novels, and this is certainly not one of them.
The story centres around Firebird and her brother Ford (both named after bill board adverts that were displayed around the time of their births). They live in a swap on the edge of a large city, with their father and grandmother. The family rely on eel trapping for the family's income.
However one day when their father is sick Ford decides to go eel hunting himself, when he takes his catch to the smokery to be weighed and sold he discovers why his father never let him come here before, it is shut and has been for a while now. So just how on earth is his father making money to support his family?
I did enjoy this book, it was a nice, quick and easy read which I read in one sitting in the bath.
First off I would say this book is aimed more at younger readers, rather than the Young Adult market. Although this did not stop me enjoying the book.
It is classed as a Dystopian novel, I would not call it that! I have read and reviewed a number of Young Adult dystopian novels, and this is certainly not one of them.
The story centres around Firebird and her brother Ford (both named after bill board adverts that were displayed around the time of their births). They live in a swap on the edge of a large city, with their father and grandmother. The family rely on eel trapping for the family's income.
However one day when their father is sick Ford decides to go eel hunting himself, when he takes his catch to the smokery to be weighed and sold he discovers why his father never let him come here before, it is shut and has been for a while now. So just how on earth is his father making money to support his family?
I did enjoy this book, it was a nice, quick and easy read which I read in one sitting in the bath.
December 12, 2011
I really enjoyed Firebird. In some ways it was a little predictable, but it was a good read. Thoroughly enjoyed this book.
I found it at my local library. When I checked the slip inside the cover, it had been over a year since anyone had checked it out. I assumed that was because it's an awful book, but the blurb sounded interesting, and it is only 210 pages, so it wont take me long to complete it.
I was delightfully surprised at how quickly I was hooked. And enjoyed reading this every night before I slept.
The ending wasn't what I was expecting, and as it came to a near, I found that I was able to predict what would happen a few chapters beforehand, however the actual story kept me wanting more so I over looked that minor detail. The ending could have been absolutely dire, but it finished it off pleasantly.
I've given it a four because in some areas I wish the author had touched up on them a little more. If I could it would be a 4 and a half, because I honestly really enjoyed this book. Was not a struggle to read at all.
I found it at my local library. When I checked the slip inside the cover, it had been over a year since anyone had checked it out. I assumed that was because it's an awful book, but the blurb sounded interesting, and it is only 210 pages, so it wont take me long to complete it.
I was delightfully surprised at how quickly I was hooked. And enjoyed reading this every night before I slept.
The ending wasn't what I was expecting, and as it came to a near, I found that I was able to predict what would happen a few chapters beforehand, however the actual story kept me wanting more so I over looked that minor detail. The ending could have been absolutely dire, but it finished it off pleasantly.
I've given it a four because in some areas I wish the author had touched up on them a little more. If I could it would be a 4 and a half, because I honestly really enjoyed this book. Was not a struggle to read at all.
April 20, 2012
Firebird and her twin brother Ford live w/their dad and his mother in the swamps, hunting and selling eels-beyond the billboard. Things begin to change when Firebird follows her grandmother out of the swamp and into the big city-which she and her brother have been told is evil and a place they shouldn't go. Firebird discovers her grandmother has been selling the purses Firebird has been making out of eel skins and feathers to support the family, while Ford discovers his father is dumping the eels, while pretending to sell them. A life buildt upon lies and secrets is fast unraveling for Firebird and Ford. Good
May 19, 2016
One of the most delightful novels I read in the past years. The style is easy yet compelling; I couldn't put it down. The world-building is phenomenal. You are drawn into this dystopian swamp world, and in the first chapter you wonder how this family can even survive, but keep reading, because you will find out! They are completely self-sufficient, and so isolated!
The longing of a young girl to explore what is out there, despite the warnings of the elders, and the staunch, bitter attitudes of the brother and father - YA fiction at its absolute best, and towards the end the surprises just pile on.
This is a book that really deserves to be made into a film.
The longing of a young girl to explore what is out there, despite the warnings of the elders, and the staunch, bitter attitudes of the brother and father - YA fiction at its absolute best, and towards the end the surprises just pile on.
This is a book that really deserves to be made into a film.
August 27, 2010
This book is about a girl named Firebird and her family. Nobody knows of them because they live on the other side of the billboard that is between them and the city. Firebird and her brother grew up knowing the city as a place that is horrible and that they shouldn’t ever go there. Firebird later find out that her dad and grandma are keeping secrets from her and her brother about her dead mother, the city and more. I liked this book; the only thing I didn’t really like was the end. I felt that the end was missing something.
June 13, 2012
I'm a bit half-half on this book. It's really small but interesting. Yes, I did expect more from it though. But you know what I love? The fact that it's different/ Heck, it really different. Just give it a try. It's a beautiful story that will make you smile and tear up at the same time.
So three stars I think, is just right. I didn't give it full stars because it needed something more. Not sure what. Any suggestions?
So three stars I think, is just right. I didn't give it full stars because it needed something more. Not sure what. Any suggestions?
August 8, 2012
Harcourt inc.
2005
Susan Gates
210 pages
I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed this book because it had many twists and turns to the story. I found myself making many predictions and reading to figure out if I was correct. The story moves at a good pace and would be appropriate for junior high and high school students.
Just an f.y.i. . . Firebird in the story has red hair; the girl on the front has blonde hair. Interesting.
2005
Susan Gates
210 pages
I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed this book because it had many twists and turns to the story. I found myself making many predictions and reading to figure out if I was correct. The story moves at a good pace and would be appropriate for junior high and high school students.
Just an f.y.i. . . Firebird in the story has red hair; the girl on the front has blonde hair. Interesting.
March 25, 2013
This was a good book but I kept repeating and flashing back which got quite confusing at times!
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May 20, 2014This book was ok.I thought it was a pretty decent book haha.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2014
weird book. I got this for free at a library open house. I might have to donate it to D.I.
March 19, 2015
An amazing story and goes into great depths, if there were a second book I would definitely read it!
November 10, 2015
Originally rated G by Lee Uptegraff Nichols
Letting go of their old ways and yet surviving as a family, Beyond the Billboard is a poignant story of a family’s triumph.
Letting go of their old ways and yet surviving as a family, Beyond the Billboard is a poignant story of a family’s triumph.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews