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Free as a Bird
Rejected, abandoned. Destiny is a throw-away kid. When she is placed in foster care, things go from bad to worse, until she finds herself in a place where she becomes invested in helping injured birds heal. Then, they return the favor. This is Missy Tarantino's second young adult book. "I didn't want it to end," says Librarian Laura McFarland. Explore the power of healing through caring for animals in this touching story.
- GenresFiction
222 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2020
93 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
About the author
Missy Tarantino
20 books2 followersI am a full time teacher in Northern Colorado. I work with students who are just learning English in grades K-5. When I'm not at school or writing books, you'll find me on the race track. My husband and I are avid autocrossers.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 2, 2022
This book was absolutely wonderful I could not put it down such a beautiful story like it says redemption Love and the power of animals Hurray for Missy Tarantino and her characters ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
April 23, 2022
Best Book Read Ever !!
It was the best book ever !! I so enjoyed reading this story! It felt like I was right there watching this little girl grow !!
It was the best book ever !! I so enjoyed reading this story! It felt like I was right there watching this little girl grow !!
Read
August 5, 2020Read an Excerpt: Chapter 1
It was a few minutes before the bell rang for school to start at Pine Elementary. Students were running around in the grass playing tag or throwing a football with their friends. The equipment was crawling with younger students. The swings were moving in their arcs. A constant flow of kids came down the slide. The teachers were relaxed, chatting with each other, cupping their hands around their coffee mugs.
Suddenly, a scream cut the air. For a moment, everyone froze. Students turned toward the sound. Startled teachers ran towards the jungle gym, where cries for help mixed with animal-like sounds of fury. A first-grader was sitting on the ground, holding his arm and rocking back and forth. Tears streamed down his face. He pointed up at the top of the metal structure.
The teachers followed his gesture and saw an older girl with stringy, dirty blonde hair crouching on the top bars. She was wearing a soiled green hoodie with yellow lettering on it that was at least three sizes too big for her. Her brown eyes looked wild in her small round face. Her teeth were bared. She looked a little like a scrawny bird of prey on its perch.
The bell rang and one of the teachers helped the young boy to his feet and led him towards the nurse’s office. Another teacher used her cell phone to call the office. “Tell Mr. Roberts that Destiny kicked another student on the playground. He needs to get out here right now. She won’t come down off the jungle gym.”
Soon the playground was deserted. Mr. Roberts arrived and the teacher followed her class inside. He pushed his black-framed glasses up on his nose and squinted up at Destiny. She stared back at him, not moving a muscle. Her knuckles were white from gripping so hard.
He slowly walked around the perimeter of the jungle gym with his hands in the pockets of his grey trousers. He counted his steps, looking at the tips of his shoes, not at her. When he had completed his circuit, he stopped and glanced up at her again. He’d been here before and knew better than to rush things. He brushed one hand through his thick black hair. He stretched his arms over his head to loosen the muscles in his broad shoulders.
Judging from the crouched position and wild eyes, that she wasn’t ready to come down. No amount of cajoling, threatening or talking would bring her down when she was in this frame of mind. It was best to just wait it out. Let her calm down on her own. Give her some space.
He walked another circle around the equipment. On the third trip, he noticed that she had shifted her weight and color was returning to her knuckles. Her eyes weren’t as wide and her chest was not heaving like it had been. Body language was improving, but they weren’t out of the woods yet. Two more trips later, Destiny slid to the ground and stood there with her hands in the big pocket across the front of her hoodie.
She wouldn’t look at him, but she was calm. Mr. Roberts stopped walking and waited. Destiny was smart. She didn’t need a lecture. She didn’t need to hear how wrong it was to kick students. She didn’t need him to ask what had happened. “He climbed my tower,” she said in a gravelly voice. Mr. Roberts said nothing, just nodded. “He shouldn’t have climbed my tower. I just want to be left alone.” Her voice was quiet but forceful.
It was a few minutes before the bell rang for school to start at Pine Elementary. Students were running around in the grass playing tag or throwing a football with their friends. The equipment was crawling with younger students. The swings were moving in their arcs. A constant flow of kids came down the slide. The teachers were relaxed, chatting with each other, cupping their hands around their coffee mugs.
Suddenly, a scream cut the air. For a moment, everyone froze. Students turned toward the sound. Startled teachers ran towards the jungle gym, where cries for help mixed with animal-like sounds of fury. A first-grader was sitting on the ground, holding his arm and rocking back and forth. Tears streamed down his face. He pointed up at the top of the metal structure.
The teachers followed his gesture and saw an older girl with stringy, dirty blonde hair crouching on the top bars. She was wearing a soiled green hoodie with yellow lettering on it that was at least three sizes too big for her. Her brown eyes looked wild in her small round face. Her teeth were bared. She looked a little like a scrawny bird of prey on its perch.
The bell rang and one of the teachers helped the young boy to his feet and led him towards the nurse’s office. Another teacher used her cell phone to call the office. “Tell Mr. Roberts that Destiny kicked another student on the playground. He needs to get out here right now. She won’t come down off the jungle gym.”
Soon the playground was deserted. Mr. Roberts arrived and the teacher followed her class inside. He pushed his black-framed glasses up on his nose and squinted up at Destiny. She stared back at him, not moving a muscle. Her knuckles were white from gripping so hard.
He slowly walked around the perimeter of the jungle gym with his hands in the pockets of his grey trousers. He counted his steps, looking at the tips of his shoes, not at her. When he had completed his circuit, he stopped and glanced up at her again. He’d been here before and knew better than to rush things. He brushed one hand through his thick black hair. He stretched his arms over his head to loosen the muscles in his broad shoulders.
Judging from the crouched position and wild eyes, that she wasn’t ready to come down. No amount of cajoling, threatening or talking would bring her down when she was in this frame of mind. It was best to just wait it out. Let her calm down on her own. Give her some space.
He walked another circle around the equipment. On the third trip, he noticed that she had shifted her weight and color was returning to her knuckles. Her eyes weren’t as wide and her chest was not heaving like it had been. Body language was improving, but they weren’t out of the woods yet. Two more trips later, Destiny slid to the ground and stood there with her hands in the big pocket across the front of her hoodie.
She wouldn’t look at him, but she was calm. Mr. Roberts stopped walking and waited. Destiny was smart. She didn’t need a lecture. She didn’t need to hear how wrong it was to kick students. She didn’t need him to ask what had happened. “He climbed my tower,” she said in a gravelly voice. Mr. Roberts said nothing, just nodded. “He shouldn’t have climbed my tower. I just want to be left alone.” Her voice was quiet but forceful.
May 29, 2020
Free as a Bird by Missy Tarantino | Book Review
Free as a Bird by Missy Tarantino is a heart-wrenching look at a child caught in the throw-away society of today. We may think of it as disposable appliances, food, and other material things, but somewhere along the way, children became “disposable,” too.
Missy’s book tells the tale of Destiny, who gets lost in the foster care system and simply wants to disappear. Her notepad, pencil, and hoodie become the only source of security she has.
We follow Destiny on her journey through loving and losing so many people in her life. Until the day, she meets the owners of a local raptor refuge. Can she learn from the perseverance and resilience of these mighty birds? Please read on to discover her fantastic journey.
The author delves into the dynamics of family, the children’s welfare system, and society as a whole. Some parts of this book broke my heart, reducing me to tears. Other chapters restored my faith, and my heart soared with Destiny as she became “free as a bird.”
Free as a Bird by Missy Tarantino is a quick, touching book to read. It’s also available on Kindle Unlimited if that’s an option for you. No matter how you acquire this story, please do read it. It deserves a large, enthusiastic audience.
Free as a Bird by Missy Tarantino is a heart-wrenching look at a child caught in the throw-away society of today. We may think of it as disposable appliances, food, and other material things, but somewhere along the way, children became “disposable,” too.
Missy’s book tells the tale of Destiny, who gets lost in the foster care system and simply wants to disappear. Her notepad, pencil, and hoodie become the only source of security she has.
We follow Destiny on her journey through loving and losing so many people in her life. Until the day, she meets the owners of a local raptor refuge. Can she learn from the perseverance and resilience of these mighty birds? Please read on to discover her fantastic journey.
The author delves into the dynamics of family, the children’s welfare system, and society as a whole. Some parts of this book broke my heart, reducing me to tears. Other chapters restored my faith, and my heart soared with Destiny as she became “free as a bird.”
Free as a Bird by Missy Tarantino is a quick, touching book to read. It’s also available on Kindle Unlimited if that’s an option for you. No matter how you acquire this story, please do read it. It deserves a large, enthusiastic audience.
September 2, 2024
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I didn't find it to be the page turner others did but the story line kept me going and interested. I found much of the story boring and too much filler. I absolutely loved Destiney's adoptive family. It takes a strong person/people to bring in a troubled child and not once did they give up on her. I also love the way her previous foster family stayed in touch. Especially with how things were out of their hands. Destiny had such a troubled past and it seemed like she just couldn't get away from it. Then she found herself in the bird sanctuary and she was able to finally start opening up and become the girl she was meant to be.
April 7, 2022
free as a bird, DESTINY!!!
Tears of sadness because the last page came... I absolutely adore this personally told story from many perspectives! Love, Patience, understanding, and true unconditional love are normal behaviors of these foster parents through helping Destiny with the struggles to trust, feel safe, feel loved, and become embraced in the journey she experienced in animals verses or alongside humans!!! A must read and have a box of tissues along with a treasure box to fill with memories from this story!
Tears of sadness because the last page came... I absolutely adore this personally told story from many perspectives! Love, Patience, understanding, and true unconditional love are normal behaviors of these foster parents through helping Destiny with the struggles to trust, feel safe, feel loved, and become embraced in the journey she experienced in animals verses or alongside humans!!! A must read and have a box of tissues along with a treasure box to fill with memories from this story!
December 17, 2022
Free as a Bird
I really couldn’t put this book down once I got into it! It was so exciting to follow Destiny from her hard life as a small child and to see how she grew into a young lady who came out of her shell. And got into a better family situation than the family she was born into.
I really couldn’t put this book down once I got into it! It was so exciting to follow Destiny from her hard life as a small child and to see how she grew into a young lady who came out of her shell. And got into a better family situation than the family she was born into.
July 19, 2023
I never really expected this to be a 5 star read but there is no way it could be anything else. The writing is so beautiful and the way the author writes all of Destinys emotions and outbreaks makes it so real. I cried multiple times during this book and I don’t think I’ve ever read anything like this before.
February 26, 2024
Fantastic story☺️
This story was soooooo moving, exciting, entertaining and interesting!!!. It was so good to see that a social worker actually took the time and interest in this child to make sure she was placed in a loving, caring family that would love her and take care of her. Missy is a fantastic storyteller and is a PHENOMENAL writer!!🤗☺️.
This story was soooooo moving, exciting, entertaining and interesting!!!. It was so good to see that a social worker actually took the time and interest in this child to make sure she was placed in a loving, caring family that would love her and take care of her. Missy is a fantastic storyteller and is a PHENOMENAL writer!!🤗☺️.
July 1, 2022
Free as a Bird
This is a very good book. I hate all Destiny went through , but I love how she found two living families, the last being her last one. I'm so happy she is finally happy like a little girl should be. I shed a few tears let me tell you.
This is a very good book. I hate all Destiny went through , but I love how she found two living families, the last being her last one. I'm so happy she is finally happy like a little girl should be. I shed a few tears let me tell you.
August 6, 2022
Awesome
Read, I am not crying either but if you read this I do recommend you do it with tissues to catch the tears. I cried with this little girl many times during reading this. I am glad she found her happy..
Read, I am not crying either but if you read this I do recommend you do it with tissues to catch the tears. I cried with this little girl many times during reading this. I am glad she found her happy..
March 21, 2022
wonderful
What a wonderful book. Made me cry. My heart hurt so bad for this precious little girl. Very hard to put down until the very end
What a wonderful book. Made me cry. My heart hurt so bad for this precious little girl. Very hard to put down until the very end
June 20, 2022
Perfectly written
I absolutely loved this book. I read it in few hours it kept me wanting to see what was next for Destiny!
I absolutely loved this book. I read it in few hours it kept me wanting to see what was next for Destiny!
August 13, 2022
amazing!!!
This book has all the feels. The characters are real, the story- sadly, is real enough. It is an amazing book and very heartwarming.
This book has all the feels. The characters are real, the story- sadly, is real enough. It is an amazing book and very heartwarming.
October 30, 2022
Destiny’s life
Very good book really enjoyed it glad it had a happy ending. I would recommend this book to everyone I know
Very good book really enjoyed it glad it had a happy ending. I would recommend this book to everyone I know
January 8, 2023
Free as a bird!
Enjoyed this book. It is a sad story but has a nice ending, yet it is about true hard life experiences which many children and adults live with every day.
Enjoyed this book. It is a sad story but has a nice ending, yet it is about true hard life experiences which many children and adults live with every day.
May 23, 2023
free Bird forever
Such a wonderful ending for this little girl. When the Right people do greats things to help a little ones. That’s what Jake and Chrissy did.
Such a wonderful ending for this little girl. When the Right people do greats things to help a little ones. That’s what Jake and Chrissy did.
June 25, 2023
great story
I great story! Have the tissues handy, you will need them. Hard to put down. I’d definitely recommend this book.
I great story! Have the tissues handy, you will need them. Hard to put down. I’d definitely recommend this book.
June 30, 2023
I couldn't stop reading
This is such a well written book. I read it in one day. Have some tissues ready. I highly recommend it.
This is such a well written book. I read it in one day. Have some tissues ready. I highly recommend it.
July 5, 2023
Incredibly beautiful book. So glad I read it. <3
July 17, 2023
Best book I read in a long time!
I enjoyed reading this book, as sad as it was, and seeing how everything ended for the good! Definitely deserves a 10 in my eyes!
I enjoyed reading this book, as sad as it was, and seeing how everything ended for the good! Definitely deserves a 10 in my eyes!
April 28, 2025
Good
I liked this little book about a troubled child. Maybe because I’ve adopted 2, but it seems so realistic. Well written.
I liked this little book about a troubled child. Maybe because I’ve adopted 2, but it seems so realistic. Well written.
May 6, 2022
Awesome read
This book was great. Had me crying in the first few pages. I love the way it ended. I would recommend this book to everyone.
This book was great. Had me crying in the first few pages. I love the way it ended. I would recommend this book to everyone.
September 14, 2024
“Free as a Bird” is a heart-wrenching story about Destiny, a child who lives with her neglective single mother. She is unkempt and is always wearing the same oversized hoodie. She puts up walls to keep others out. Her teacher becomes alarmed by different things she’s witnessed and Social Services steps in and takes Destiny to live with grandparents, who she didn’t even know existed. But Destiny soon discovers that blood isn’t always thicker than water.
It read like a young adult book, but there was language in the book that suggested otherwise. I think if the author would’ve left out the cursing, this could’ve been a great book YA novel.
The best and simplest moral that people can take away from this story is just the capacity to empathize with others. Be kind, you never know what people are going through.
It read like a young adult book, but there was language in the book that suggested otherwise. I think if the author would’ve left out the cursing, this could’ve been a great book YA novel.
The best and simplest moral that people can take away from this story is just the capacity to empathize with others. Be kind, you never know what people are going through.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews