What do you think?
Rate this book
The Girl with the Broken Wing
The twins are in bed when it happens. They hear a clattering on the roof tiles, followed a little later by a tapping at the window. It's a girl with a broken wing - and she's come to stay. But who is she? And where has she come from?
160 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2005
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 28, 2015
Are angels real? I am spending my Christmas holidays over at my in-law's place and I found this book on my nieces' shelf. The story is simple and lovely, with the right amount of magic and fantasy perfect for the Christmas season. I would love to see my daughter read this book sometime in the future and we'll talk about angels who live among humans. :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2019
This book was awesome!
It was really interesting to read and the pictures were so pretty.
I loved this book because it was about twins and a curious girl with wings, the girl with wings could fly.
I also thought it was enjoyable and good to read.
It is a great book for everyone and this book also has vivid pictures.
Now there is only one thing right now that will make you smarter, go read this book!
It was really interesting to read and the pictures were so pretty.
I loved this book because it was about twins and a curious girl with wings, the girl with wings could fly.
I also thought it was enjoyable and good to read.
It is a great book for everyone and this book also has vivid pictures.
Now there is only one thing right now that will make you smarter, go read this book!
August 25, 2025
Mable (age 4) and I just finished our first chapter book together! I explained the rating system of goodreads and Mable still wanted to give it 100 stars, but 5 out of 5 will have to do.
September 2, 2015
Heather Dyer’s The Fish in Room 11 narrates the captivating story of a rather neglected boy whose perspective to life changes when he discovers a mermaid and hides her identity. Similarly, The Girl with the Broken Wing, takes readers to a magical world where angels appear on Earth, in quite a relaxed manner, and full of optimism, to live the common human life. In this charming and surprising tale, the conventional and sensible twins, Amanda and James, welcome their unexpected guest who literally and quite comically, falls on their roof like “a wet cabbage hitting a wall”. She has broken her wing, is weary from flying and soon collapses on the sofa with a smile on her face. After an unsophisticated entrance follows the somewhat unrealistic techniques of accommodation that the twins adopt for the “angel” Hilary; they expect her to hide in their bedroom, cover her wings with “an old brown duffel coat” and suppress her burning curiosity about school life.
Realising that they cannot keep Hilary a secret for long, the twins introduce her to their parents. It is a comic moment when they try to justify Hilary’s background – they tell the highly responsible Mr and Mrs Mulroney that Hilary’s parents are away and she is staying with friends. Upon Mr and Mrs Mulroney’s insistence to meet her friends, they quickly conclude that her friends are away too. Their illogical explanations to protect Hilary, create laugh-out-loud moments of admirable innocence. Nevertheless, the sensible nature of the twins is not matched by Hilary who is in a rush to integrate and causes havoc, although rather entertainingly. She is a bored child-angel who is tired of continuous hymn singing and being good and wants to have fun before she returns. The impulsive and energetic angel tries to be smart and prioritise her own desires over society’s rules which becomes a nightmare for the twins. Thus the reader’s expectations of an angel are challenged as Hilary is inconsiderate rather than obedient; in contrast, the twins are more aware of the consequences of the revelation of Hilary’s true identity as well as being more considerate of her feelings. As a result, the book may highlight to young readers that humans have full capability of having angelic qualities as actions speak louder than words and identity is strongly shaped by one’s behaviour.
Children will also learn about how humans fear the power of what they cannot do themselves or what is unknown to them. Hilary sees her ability to fly as something admirable whereas the twins realise that it may make her subject to police inspection. Children will further comprehend to be kind, patient and sensitive towards others.
The book will be useful for young readers aged 6+ as the language is simple and the storyline requires readers to rely on their imagination. It also includes Peter Bailey’s cheery pen-and-ink illustrations which act as visual proof of Hilary’s ‘angelic’ physical features; they also make us sympathise with Hilary and the twins as well as depicting the different scenarios in which Hilary interferes. The most fascinating illustration shows Hilary flying high over a train which allows readers to give into unreality and admire the fictional angel.
Dyer’s creation of likeable characters and Hilary’s parting message to the twins on Christmas day, will give children reason to smile. The rebus note gives hope for the angel’s return.
Realising that they cannot keep Hilary a secret for long, the twins introduce her to their parents. It is a comic moment when they try to justify Hilary’s background – they tell the highly responsible Mr and Mrs Mulroney that Hilary’s parents are away and she is staying with friends. Upon Mr and Mrs Mulroney’s insistence to meet her friends, they quickly conclude that her friends are away too. Their illogical explanations to protect Hilary, create laugh-out-loud moments of admirable innocence. Nevertheless, the sensible nature of the twins is not matched by Hilary who is in a rush to integrate and causes havoc, although rather entertainingly. She is a bored child-angel who is tired of continuous hymn singing and being good and wants to have fun before she returns. The impulsive and energetic angel tries to be smart and prioritise her own desires over society’s rules which becomes a nightmare for the twins. Thus the reader’s expectations of an angel are challenged as Hilary is inconsiderate rather than obedient; in contrast, the twins are more aware of the consequences of the revelation of Hilary’s true identity as well as being more considerate of her feelings. As a result, the book may highlight to young readers that humans have full capability of having angelic qualities as actions speak louder than words and identity is strongly shaped by one’s behaviour.
Children will also learn about how humans fear the power of what they cannot do themselves or what is unknown to them. Hilary sees her ability to fly as something admirable whereas the twins realise that it may make her subject to police inspection. Children will further comprehend to be kind, patient and sensitive towards others.
The book will be useful for young readers aged 6+ as the language is simple and the storyline requires readers to rely on their imagination. It also includes Peter Bailey’s cheery pen-and-ink illustrations which act as visual proof of Hilary’s ‘angelic’ physical features; they also make us sympathise with Hilary and the twins as well as depicting the different scenarios in which Hilary interferes. The most fascinating illustration shows Hilary flying high over a train which allows readers to give into unreality and admire the fictional angel.
Dyer’s creation of likeable characters and Hilary’s parting message to the twins on Christmas day, will give children reason to smile. The rebus note gives hope for the angel’s return.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2010
This was an amazing book. It is very cheerful and happy. I read this book a while ago but i remember it being whimsical and fantastical but still quite realistic. I wish there were more because i would even read them now. this was one of my favorite books and i plan on rereading it soon.
May 13, 2010
A brother and sister find a young angel who is looking to do a good deed. The angel may have a broken wing and she constantly gets into trouble. Probably older 2nd to younger 4th grade so it’s a cute story, one young readers would probably enjoy.
January 20, 2013
From the 3rd grader who read it:
"I really liked it. But it wasn't as interesting as it could have been. My favorite part was the chapter about the enormous kite that made James go up in the sky. I guess I would read another book by the same author.
"I really liked it. But it wasn't as interesting as it could have been. My favorite part was the chapter about the enormous kite that made James go up in the sky. I guess I would read another book by the same author.
April 7, 2015
"The Girl with the Broken Wing" - written by Heather Dyer and published in 2005 by Chicken House. A really engaging angel story, perfect for middle grade readers with an imagination.
July 16, 2025
This was a pleasant, whimsical story to read and is a good book if you want to take a little break from the stressful things in life. It could also serve well as a novel for developing readers, for it is only 150 pages long. It has large print and pictures on many pages. It could also be good for parents to read to younger kids over a week or so, however, one character tells a tragic, violent story about a king who murdered his dog thinking he was trying to kill his son, only to discover that he was trying to SAVE his son. Younger kids might be upset by this, but it could be skipped during reading. So to sum it up, this story was short and sweet and is a good "break book" to relieve stress.
June 25, 2021
This was a super cute book about twins who befriend a girl with wings. I read this book in fourth class and I enjoyed it a lot, especially the writing style and the adorable illustrations. It was very simple and there wasn't much of a plot so it's more suited for young readers, but it's fun to read about the characters' interactions. It's a quick, light-hearted read that would be nice for Christmas time!
February 24, 2021
What a charming story. Who says guardian angels don't exist?! This one's called Hilary, which incidentally means, 'joy' and 'happiness', and she fulfills her assignment, and lives up to her name beautifully.
July 31, 2018
Carino ma niente di che
April 1, 2025
CW/TW: Animal death, Bullying, Death, Abandonment, Child death, Confinement, Assumed Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Stalking, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail
October 21, 2015
The Girl with the Broken Wing tells the story of a mysterious young angel who meets a set of twins while trying to do a good deed. She can't help but to find herself in trouble as she and the twins go on whimsical adventures. This book was a little dull but very cute and appropriate for a 3rd or possibly 4th grade reader. I could see how some young children would definitely enjoy it.
November 17, 2010
I didn't really like it because the girl with the broken wing really wanted to go some place but she couldn't because they would see her wings. She was really emotional, and I didn't really like that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2012
Children's book, very short and held me captive. Hillary ends up in the twins house and they are left to wonder, is she an angel? a fairy? What follows is frustration and adventure as Hillary tries to fit in. Cute story.
January 5, 2016
Was a cute story, but the girl remained a mystery. Still, I think young kids would like the magic. The book is well written, and clear. My daughter will probably like it a lot once she's a bit older.
I received this from the Goodreads Giveaway.
I received this from the Goodreads Giveaway.
February 21, 2017
This was read with a neighbor girl who needed to stay at our house for the day. We took turns reading to each other, talked about the parts we each liked best, but she's the one who rated it--and she's written down the author's name so that she can find another of Heather Dyer's books.
November 5, 2010
iTz a gReat book whIch i Read a feW yeaRs ago bUt sTill REmeBer thE gREat stoRy
I simPly lOved it
I simPly lOved it
April 15, 2013
Great for the age group. Some funny 'Five Children and It'-esque adventures with an angel.
Still think Dyer's mermaid story is her best though.
Still think Dyer's mermaid story is her best though.
July 18, 2013
twins
angel
odd connection to the grave site of a dog
a Christmas story comes in
favorite line: "I've had a wonderful day." page 36
angel
odd connection to the grave site of a dog
a Christmas story comes in
favorite line: "I've had a wonderful day." page 36
March 1, 2016
This is a lovely story about friendship and acceptance. Definitely for younger readers as there are logistical questions that I kept coming up with.
June 8, 2010
I read this in the fourth grade and really liked it.
April 6, 2014
My daughter rates it 4*
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews