Eagle Warrior

by Gill Lewis

Bobbie is thrilled that a golden eagle has settled in the forest near her family's farm. She loves to walk the hills with her granny and watch the bird soar through the sky. But not everyone shares Bobbie's awe for the spectacular bird. When her granny's beloved dog is killed by poisoned bait, it soon becomes clear that someone is out to get the eagle - and they're ready to take down anything, and anyone, that gets in their way. Bobbie is determined to save the eagle but is it worth the risk? A stunning new wildlife adventure from multi-award-winning author Gill Lewis. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant or dyslexic readers aged 8+

Genres: Animals, Fiction, Childrens

104 pages, Paperback

Published July 15, 2019

About the author

Before she could walk, Gill Lewis was discovered force-feeding bread to a sick hedgehog under the rose bushes. Now her stories reflect her passion for wild animals in wild places. She draws inspiration from many of the people she has had the fortune to meet during her work as a vet, both at home and abroad. Gill Lewis has a masters degree in Writing for Young People from Bath Spa University and won the 2009 course prize for most promising writer. Her first novel was snapped up for publication within hours of being offered to publishers. She lives in Somerset with her young family and a motley crew of pets. She writes from a shed in the garden, in the company of spiders.

Reviews

[Amelia Shepherd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eagle Warrior is written by Jill Lewis, an author who was previously nominated for awards for her novel Sky Dancer. In Eagle Warrior, 11 year old girl Bobbie lives on a Highlands farm – one day she is horrified when she is out walking her Granny’s dog who passes away after being poisoned. Bobbie then discovers with her Granny that there is a golden eagles nest nearby, and that a local gamekeeper is attempting to kill the eagles through laying down poison. One night, shots are heard and Granny and Bobbie have their mind set on one explanation. This book really depicts and enables you to visualise the natural world and conveys important messages about wildlife dangers. The characters are sympathetic and both relatable, connecting modern issues in society. Further, Uncle Fraser comes to stay for the weekend, Granny’s brother – the two contrast and initially repel one another; the poor relationship developed due to the difference in their upbringing, highlighting gender inequality. This book is an excellent read and makes the reader question some natural issues and other themes such as gender inequality. The book is fairly sensitive and therefore would be most suitable for age 9-11 year olds, who can really explore and imagine the emotions Bobbie must have gone through.

[Paula Street · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written, short and simple, middle grade book. Our 9 year old has just discovered Gill Lewis and is working her way through all of the books by this author, and I am reading them alongside her, although she is a few books ahead of me. This one was very easy for me to read, and a real pleasure to escape into for an hour or so. Beautiful descriptions of the natural world. Thoroughly recommended.

[Lucie Korang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both me and my 7 year old daughter really loved this book. It’s our third Gill Lewis book, which we’ve been enjoying reading together, at bedtime. This story is about a young girl living in the beautiful Scottish highlands and her love for an eagle. It’s captivating and takes you right there, sparks the imagination beautifully. Highly recommend, it’s harmless and heartwarming.

[BookBairn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Gill Lewis’s writing and her ability to rouse the nature warrior in her characters and readers. The setting was well-built in this and the characters all came together in the end. I really enjoyed it and would recommend reading Sky Hawk or other longer novels by Gill Lewis which take all the magic of this book and expand on it.

[Bethany Sawford · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wonderfully quick but jam-packed read, following Bobbie who lives on a farm with her parents and eccentric grandmother. One day, she is shocked to discover that Granny's dog has been poisoned, they suspect the gameskeeper of the estate is out to get rid of the eagle they have been watching. The family dynamics were really interesting, as Granny's estranged brother comes for a visit and fireworks begin. Read aloud with my 9 year old who is loving this series.

[Christina Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking forward to reading this and it did not disappoint! I first came across Gill Lewis' writing when I came across a copy of Run Wild, an earlier title that she wrote for Barrington Stoke about some young children in London who find what appears to be an injured wolf in a patch of wasteland. Since then I have been working my way through her back catalogue and have come to really appreciate how much love and care she has for the natural world. These are the kind of books that we need our kids to be reading if we want them to grow up caring about animals, nature and the damage that humankind are doing to the environment.
Eagle Warrior follows a 10/11 year-old girl Bonnie who lives in the Highlands of Scotland with her parents and grandmother, Granny Mountain who looks a bit like a mountain and knows everything there is to know about the nature surrounding them. Bonnie loves her home and is even raising her own sheep. She and her granny spot a golden eagle near their farm, but their landowner is raising grouse and his gamekeeper seems to be planning an untimely end for the young eagle. The stakes are raised when a poisoned rabbit appears on the moor, clearly intended for the eagle to eat, then shot are fired at night. Bonnie has to grapple with the sense that not everyone cane see how majestic the golden eagle is and accept that the chain of predator and prey is part of nature.
I loved the depiction of the Scottish countryside, Bonnie's relationship with her family, especially grandma and the eccentric Great Uncle who appears from Edinburgh and finally attempts to repair his relationship with his sister.
As always, the characters are sympathetic and relateable and the issues described are happening today. One thing that I feel would really have enhanced this book is an afterword about the facts surrounding golden eagles and resources for anyone wanting to find out more. In previous books by this author, there has often been a call to action at the end of the book which I think is really effective.
A great addition to any classroom library, especially with the gripping storyline, realistic characters, environmental messages all presented in dyslexia-friendly font. I know that this will be eagerly snapped up as soon as it is on the library shelves!

[Amy (Golden Books Girl) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of a girl named Bobbie, whose life changes after her gran`s dog is poisoned by mistake due to someone trying to kill an eagle in her Scottish highland home. Bobbie, in true Gill Lewis tradition, is a very easy character to sympathise with and root for, and I really liked her. I also love the way that Gill Lewis writes about nature and wildlife, because she creates such vivid and beautiful settings and really makes me think about the way some humans treat animals as though they are lesser. Something else I really enjoyed about this that I`ve not seen other reviews so far mention is the interesting relationship between Bobbie`s gran and great uncle Fraser, which touches on themes of gender inequality and was a pretty different dynamic that I enjoyed watching develop as a subplot. Overall, this was another wonderful book from Gill Lewis 4.5/5

[Grainne · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good. Short but it was so brilliant that i read it in one sitting. Gill Lewis is a genius.

[Jennifer Humphreys · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great children’s book.