Birdgirl

by Mya-Rose Craig

Discover Mya-Rose Craig's moving and life-affirming memoir about family, searching for rare birds, and the power of our natural world.

'Lyrical, poignant and insightful' MARGARET ATWOOD (on Twitter)
'Filled with hope and energy' Guardian

In her memoir, Mya-Rose Craig and her family travel the world in search of rare birds and astonishing landscapes. But a shadow moves with them, too - her mother's deepening mental health crisis. In the face of this struggle, the Craigs turn to nature again and again, and every time it offers joy and stillness.

On these journeys, Mya-Rose also witnesses the inequality and destruction we are inflicting on our fragile planet. And so, through the simple, mindful act of looking for birds, she becomes ever more determined to campaign for all our survival.

'A delightful account of a young life devoted to birding - and the fight to save birds and the places they live' Stephen Moss

* Winner of a Somerset Maugham Award *
* Longlisted for the Wainwright Prize for Conservation Writing *
* Longlisted for the Jhalak Prize *

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Nature, Birds, Animals, Science, Biography

305 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 30, 2022

Reviews

[Lisa of Troy · Rating 1 out of 5]

This review makes me uncomfortable so let’s off with the bandage.

In the fall, I saw a “Lost Cat” poster tacked up right outside my house, and I knew the owner of this cat: a little boy whose father passed away from cancer about a year ago. The boy’s father couldn’t search for this cat so I took it upon myself to take up this challenge.

Even though I was searching incredibly familiar territory, I saw my surroundings with fresh eyes, scanning every last little detail. I spent hours searching for this cat, inspiring me to get outside and enjoy some fresh air.

Normally, I tend to keep to myself. However, a cat’s fate was on the line so I asked every single person that came cross my path if they had seen the cat. I even convinced some of the neighbors to join in the search.

Birdgirl: Looking To The Skies In Search of A Better Future is a memoir about the author, a young woman, who travels the world, to all seven continents, observing birds, and weaving in the tale of her mother’s battle with mental illness.

Although I am not a birder or twitcher, I believe in the power of nature and consider myself to be an environmentalist. I even have a flier from Extinction Rebellion!

But…..

This book bored me to tears. Although I loved the illustrations at the beginning of the chapters, this book needed some pictures as I found myself constantly looking up birds.

Mya-Rose Craig is clearly competent, and she has even given speeches with Greta Thunberg. However, the storytelling needed sharpening. It read like a high school journal lest the teenage angst. The paragraphs were too long, and there was v. little dialogue and no suspense. At times, the book was also overly preachy. Instead, Craig should have put a list of eco-tourism lodges at the end of the book for those interested.

Not too long ago, I read The Book of Hope by Jane Goodall. It was phenomenal. But guess what? She co-wrote her book with not one but two other authors. Ms. Goodall has been working on her storytelling for decades, and she still utilized the skills of two other writers. Her book (or rather their book) is amazing!

Now for the gut punch: Jane Goodall has the same publisher as Mya-Rose Craig! So why didn’t they give Ms. Craig a co-author?

What makes me so sad is that there is enough here to make a good story, and Ms. Craig is probably the next Jane Goodall. But the tale wasn’t told in a compelling way.

Best of luck to you, Ms. Craig. Keep on birding! Keep on exploring the world and speaking up!

*Thanks, NetGalley and Celadon, for a free copy of this book in exchange for my fair and unbiased opinion.

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[Jemima Pett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I find it strange that, when so much of Birdgirl is concerned with how to include people outside the dominant ‘white male’ domain of both extreme bird-watching and environmentalism, that the blurb makes no mention of Mya-Rose’s Bangladeshi heritage, because she certainly does! With ‘diversity’ being a ‘big issue’ it’s good to know that people like Mya are welcomed by nature organisations. But it is down to Mya herself that they realised they actually have to change to involve people of different cultural backgrounds. Mya herself uses VME – visual minority ethnic – as a catch-all term, eschewing BAME (Black, Asian, and minority ethnic) as she feels it segments the problem incorrectly.

Like Mya-Rose, birdwatching has always felt part of me. But not like Mya’s family does it! I know people who go everywhere in search of the next bird, who drop everything to see a rarity arrived on a British rock, but that’s not me. You don’t have to be a twitcher to enjoy this book. But it does open your eyes to the immense variety of our avian wildlife, and the threats they are under because of demands on their habitats. Her description of Rwanda is particularly vivid.

I was astounded and enthralled by Mya’s activity and devotion to the cause. Admittedly she was enabled to do some of her community awareness-raising by several dynamic aunties and her parents, but it was her own ideas and passion that got people involved in climate change and wildlife action. All this while trying to keep a low profile among her schoolmates!

The third strand of this extraordinary memoir is the relationship with her parents, and especially the struggle with her mother’s mental health. Eventually diagnosed as bipolar, Mum’s swings from mania to depression sound horrific, as they undoubtedly were.

Birds, and birding, came to the rescue. I already know that when I’m birdwatching, I don’t think of anything else. For this family, going birding – twitching- brought them closer together, dropping all the other stresses apart from how to get the next bird on their list. The British Trust for Ornithology knows how important birds are to our mental health, and encouraged many new people to become birders during lockdown, watching and noting the birds from their windows. I hope more young people, and especially those with a VME background, find connecting with birds and their local wildlife an enjoyable and healing experience, as a result of reading Mya-Rose’s book – or her blog, Birdgirl.

I’m not sure that many readers will enjoy the frenetic chase from country to country after different birds, but I did. The scope of Mya-Rose’s attention to the environmental problems she found and the insight into the role of indigenous people in solving climate change prompted me to give this five stars. She’s inspirational.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

An incredibly inspiring and honest memoir from Muslim environmental activist and avid birder, Mya-Rose Craig. In her book Mya shares about how she grew up birding with her family, traveling all across the globe searching for rare birds as well as how difficult it was having a bipolar mother with serious mental health issues.

While her family life was often challenging, she was able to do amazing work at a young age as a climate change activist who focused particularly on supporting other BIPOC youth in the fight against racism.

With over 5000 bird sightings (roughly half the global bird population!), Mya's 'Birdgirl' persona is no joke and she easily ranks up there with Greta as one of the mega global environmental activists!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for early copies of this memoir in exchange for my honest review!

[kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Equal parts emotional and educational, Birdgirl is a beautifully and accessibly written story of nature, mental health, family, environmentalism and, of course, birds.

[Maggie's Book Collection · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

When I was given the opportunity to read this book I had great expectations. The book's subject was fascinating, but I found the narrative, not to my taste in some places. At times, it was written as more of a list than descriptive prose. I also hope the published book has photos of the birds described because I spent a lot of time looking up the avian subjects observed on the internet, which detracted from the flow of the text.  

Mya-Rose Craig is a young environmentalist with a great future ahead of her. She has overcome many difficulties and challenges in her life so far, which she describes, with compassion in her text and I applaud her for her tenacity and empathy.

This book has a lot going for it and as a first work is laudable.  I am sure Mya-Rose Craig has a great future and her voice will grow into a force within the environmental movement.

#Birdgirl #Netgalley

[Margot McCuaig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely breathtaking. I read this book in a day. I found it incredibly engaging, powerful, empowering and beautiful. A story of birds, nature, adversity, racial inequality and climate catastrophe, it is also a story of hope and love; the love of a family enduring crisis as they each deal with the impact of mental illness. It is astonishing that Mya-Rose has achieved so much at such a young age but it is her youth that is so inspiring. We need to listen to voices like hers and work alongside passionate young activists as they fight to save the planet, people, birds and environment that we all share. I urge you to read this.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written memoir about a girls love of birds and her family and how their shared passion for birds and twitching brings them together. Since starting it I have found myself stopping and looking up to the skies more and love Maya’s words in the epilogue which are lessons for nudging but life more generally which encourage us all to stop, listen and be patient. Mya’s work around challenging inclusivity and access in nature spaces and groups is also a timely reminder that more needs to be done.

[Anya Keiller · Rating 1 out of 5]

I liked her activism talk in the last chapter but honestly I couldn’t get into this book, it just didn’t resonate with me
or really impress me as much as other reviews seem to suggest.

As someone who loves being in nature I disappointingly found this book incredibly unrelatable mostly due to the privileged point of view that the writer seems to be coming from a family that sees driving constantly around the country and later the world as normal, which comes across as out of touch. Travelling to every continent before 15, constantly on the go and to places that most people would
never afford.

At one point she states our money went towards experiences other than items, when talking about travelling around then world unlike most people have bills and mortgages. I do realise what she is trying to say but I can’t help but find it unrelatable. Even with her charity there are contradictions - she wants to get VME working class kids to get into nature yet also sees her Bristol city classmates as mean and more judgemental from her peers.

I also found that her narration (I am reading via audio book) is also quite badly paced in places.

[Sarah Spaulding Avento · Rating 2 out of 5]

No denying she is a remarkable young woman, and I did enjoy her points on climate activism and indigenous justice, but the book itself lacked any real significant depth for me. She does something I think young people are prone to do—bring up a very complex problem but then explain it away with “I got over myself” or “life is a journey.” There’s just not a depth of wisdom to the narrative, which comes from being so young (imo). While she had some pretty descriptions, the writing itself was nothing particularly remarkable. Give me Birdgirl in about 20 years, and I think we will have something more substantial.

[b.andherbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

less about birding, or in UK parlance "twitching" and more about the activity as a way to bring a messy family together even during huge upheaval and struggle, along with a young person's concerns about their future in this warming planet.

The writing was excellent and kept me interested in this hyper specific world of "international birders" along with both the sheer joy and jealousy that can come with it, and the mindfullness it can bring as an activity. Mya-Rose's relationship with her mentally ill mother was also lovingly AND forthrightly discussed, and I only wish their family had more answers, sooner.

Definitely one to pick up.

[Nancy Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This reads more like journal entries than a memoir so each birding trip sounds a lot like the previous one with only the place names and bird species that change. But Ms Craig is already doing great things out there, and I look forward to seeing what else she can do.

[Nursebookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

TITLE: BIRD GIRL: Looking to the Skies in Search of a Better Future
AUTHOR: Mya-Rose Craig
PUB DATE: 03.28.2023 Now Available

AGE 14 Founded an organization to engage teens of color with nature

AGE 17 Received an honorary Doctorate from Bristol University; Shared a stage with Greta Thunberg speaking to 40,000 protestors

AGE 18 Held a Youth Strike against melting pack ice of the high Arctic as Greenpeace’s Ocean’s Ambassador

AGE 20 Published her memoir, Birdgirl

I am in awe of Dr Mya- Rose Craig who at the young age of 20 has accomplished more than any of us could in a lifetime. Her honorary doctorate received at 17 for being the youngest person to see half the world’s bird species. Her fight for the environment’s climate crisis, along with racism informed by her life long love of birds, and the many foundations she supports such as Greenpeace and The Wildlife Trust just to name a few.

Poignant
Informative

This memoir about her family, her love of birds, and of course how she gives back to support people, the land, and the world. What an amazing woman Dr Craig is - truly an inspiration to us all.

[Lauryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think 21 is too young an age to write a memoir at. While I found the birding adventures interesting, they got repetitive very quickly and this book lacked much storytelling or overarching theme, relying on the straightforward chronological telling to be good enough.
I was also a bit disappointed with the lack of reckoning with the obvious privilege this family has. There was depth there to be explored but it was never even acknowledged. I was especially shocked by the lack of discussion around the ethics of Rose-Craig’s Antarctic tourism, something that I’m surprised she would do as a climate activist.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this book. it picked me from the shelf of the bookstore, and i am so grateful.

[Laurel · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up.

[Merel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Biografie? Reisverslag? Coming of age? Natuur- en vogelfeitjes? 'Vogelmeisje' heeft het allemaal.

[Mary Gael · Rating 4 out of 5]

to be so young and accomplished and to have seen so many birds!! i enjoyed the way this narrative wove between birding, her mother’s struggles with bipolar disorder, and the ways in which those things intersected

[Kelly {SpaceOnTheBookcase] · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I was gifted a physical copy of the book and while I enjoyed the bird pictures at the start of each chapter, I struggled to get into it. That is why I requested the audio version and this is a case where the audio version saves the book.

I didn't know much about Mya-Rose Craig before reading her memoir and I know virtually nothing about twitching. Learning about her life, her experiences twitching and her dysfunctional yet functional family was interesting though the novel is a bit all over the place.

I finished it and I enjoyed it, but I think this is going to be very polarizing. I also think lovers of nature and birds will deeply invest in this novel.

Thank you to Celadon books for gifting me a copy to review.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before reading Mya-Rose Craig’s excellent ‘Birdgirl’ book I had the impression that her young life was simply dominated by numbers be it the thousands of birds sighted or the numbers of countries and continents visited. If that had been the case, she would remain a footnote in birding annuals simply for these feats. Now I know there is far more depth to her story.
‘Birdgirl' is both courageous and entertaining. She has shown great courage in opening up about the illness her mother suffers from and the affects it has had on the family. This illness and the families utter love of birds and wildlife in general are intertwined and central to the book's narrative.
Her courage continues when it comes to voicing her concerns and convictions on a number of subjects. On top of this she has taken positive action to tackle a number of the issues raised in the book.
I learnt so much about birds encountered, like the Harpy Eagle which appears on the book’s cover, that I have never heard of let alone seen. Even the first bird covered at length, the Golden Pheasant sounds like a mythical bird plucked from the pages of a Harry Potter book or, maybe ‘Lord of the Rings’. The Albatross is a better-known bird but beforehand I knew little about it as a living species.
The many wonderful stories, e.g., visiting Bolivia and combating altitude sickness and camping on the Antarctic, leap of the page.
Mya-Rose has travelled ‘far and wide’ but she also writes engagingly about her ‘local patch’ around the north Somerset Chew Lake and with huge respect when it comes to her fellow bird ringers at the Chew Lake Ringing Station.
During Mya-Rose’s first twenty years she has suffered more than her share of mental bruises but overall, this is a life that so far has been extremely well lived.
I never thought Dara McAnulty’s ‘Diary of a Young Naturalist would be matched. That is not the case now.
What next Mya-Rose?

Andrew Harrison

[Emma Blackford · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book, but ultimately felt myself having to drag myself along in order to finish it. The writing read like a teenager wrote it (which is true) but also like it could have used some heavy editing by the publisher - which it didn’t appear to have received. I also felt myself getting frustrated with the explanations given for the importance of fighting against the climate crisis while also saying that their privileged world-traveling was acceptable. And the endless tails of birding successes - when, as a fellow birder, I know how frequently bird hunts end without finding a target species or individual - made the book feel inauthentic and fake.

Good idea - good real-life work - just wish it was written and shared in a better way.

[Shalini · Rating 5 out of 5]

What better way to end a year’s reading list than a book about birds and birdwatching? It is the story of Mya-Rose and her family’s birding adventures while battling life and mental illness. This birding family came to my attention about a decade ago when a well known birder talked the pointless discussion on whether the year list of a 8 year old is valid- wasn’t this family’s hobby a reason celebrate? I have been following Mya-Rose on social media for sometime now and this book takes us through her journey. She is not just an accomplished birder but a passionate champion for the planet and a social justice warrior. So proud of her and all that she has achieved. Keep going Mya!

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wavered between 3 and 4 stars, ultimately deciding on 4 based on the age this young woman wrote her book. She is a shining star that shares the first 20 years of her life and how birding has shaped her family and her coming-of-age story. At times the details of Mya-Rose’s family birding expeditions were a bit tedious (for nonbirders), they are relevant to unfolding story. Stick with it, skim here and there to continue. The last two chapters really standout in her development and where we can all learn from her experiences.

[Srikari Punyamurtula · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had all the right components to make it enjoyable: beautiful descriptions of birds (would have liked more pictures so I didn’t have to Google every bird though), descriptions of landscapes across the world to induce wanderlust in anyone, and I liked seeing how Mya’s connections/ experiences in each of the places she visited helped influence her activism trajectory. But what was really lacking here was the storytelling- it was often abrupt (or maybe I just haven’t read enough memoirs) and the narrative didn’t really pull me in. 20 years is just too young to write a memoir

[Eliza Sheasby · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book!

I found it so engaging. Mya's descriptions of birds read like poetry. I learnt a lot about the climate, racial inequality, mental health and, of course, birds!

A fantastic read, I would really recommend this to any nature lover.

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading memoirs, and this one exceeded expectations. Having read that the author had birded in all the continents and sighted over 5,000 species of birds (half the world total), I was expecting the story of a young woman of privilege, albite one who uses it to create awareness about climate justice and the need to conserve biodiversity. Her story, however, is more complex.
While she certainly enjoys the privilege of being from a family that has the means to undertake frequent birding expeditions (and the willingness to prioritise them), she also has to deal with being the daughter of a mother who has bipolar depression. Not knowing when her mother might enter a manic or a depressive stage, and having to deal differently with both, makes her vulnerable to panic attacks. Additionally, she is of mixed heritage- her mother is the British born daughter of Bangladeshi immigrants- and a Muslim woman trying to hold her own in a community predominantly made up of white, Christian men. Her activism also extends to pushing for greater inclusion, and her background makes her particularly vulnerable to troll attacks on social media.
The book reads almost like a journal (which it is perhaps based on), which enables us to experience her own frustration at not being able to find the birds she hoped to find, and her excitement at a rare sighting. It was also wonderful reading her personal evolution from a passionate birder to someone who advocates for climate justice. The book had me looking up many of the birds she talks about- while I still struggle to identify more than a couple of dozen birds, reading about avian biodiversity is always joyful.

[Nel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always love to tout books that highlight the importance of saving our environment, not only for the benefit of the human race, but also for the rest of this world's inhabitants. Mya-Rose Craig has written her story in these pages - a personal story "uplifted" by the birds she has found on all seven continents she has visited, and a story about the effect climate change is having on these special feathered creatures.

This young environmental activist includes personal stories about her upbringing, including her mother's battle with mental illness. It is a detailed account of her life and the guidance she has received along the way.

I would say this book is best suited for birdwatchers and environmentalists. There are many technical details of birdwatching included in these pages that would appeal to those whose hobby or passion includes naturalism.

I must also add how impressed I am by this young lady's wisdom at such a young age. And she's only just getting started. Watch out, world - Birdgirl is here!

Many thanks to Celadon Books for this enlightening book.

For more of my reviews, please check out my blog at www.mamasgottaread.blogspot.com or follow me on Instagram at www.instagram.com/mamasgottaread.

[maddie ⋆ | thecozybookshelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Birder, environmentalist and activist Mya-Rose Craig is an international force. In her moving memoir, Birdgirl, she chronicles her mother’s struggle with mental illness, and shares her passion for social justice and fierce dedication to preserving our planet.

Thank you to Celadon Books for the opportunity to read and review an advanced readers copy of this book. This in no way affects my review, all opinions are my own.

I have to admit I wasn't really excited to read this book. I mean, a book about bird-watching just didn't really seem like something that would be particularly interesting (for me). However, I did actually enjoy this one! Craig's stories of her travels were fascinating and I appreciated her candid reflections on her mom's mental health and their resulting family dynamic.

It did get pretty slow towards the end, even though this book was short I feel like it could've been even shorter like a novella. The last few family trips she wrote about had me skimming towards the end. Craig however is an admirable woman in her fight for social justice and environmental conservation, and I am glad that I was able to read her story!

[Rachel ✨]

I did not realize that Mya-Rose Craig was only 20 years old when I started this book, and that had me 😳😳 when I looked back at this book with that context. Part memoir and part climate activism, this book was such an interesting look into a science I wasn’t super familiar with previously: birdwatching. Craig chronicles her life both as a birdwatcher, but also her mother’s struggles with mental illness. As mental illness is still not something openly talked about in desi families, I loved how she and her mother have chosen to be open about it.

In awe of what Craig has already accomplished, both as a birdwatcher and as a climate activist. This book was fun, eye-opening, and so interesting. I would highly recommend, especially as a starter nonfiction to those who don’t usually read it.

(Thanks to #MacmillanAudio for the audio arc)

[Dr. des. Siobhán · Rating 5 out of 5]

Birdwatching creeps up on you - at least that was the case for me. For Mya-Rose Craig "twitching" was part of her family and has become part of her identity. While I enjoy watching birds on hikes, I do not specifically travel anywhere to go birdwatching, it was nevertheless fascinating to read about all her travels and the various birds she encountered. The book is not only about coming of age and birds though, it is also about Craig's family, especially how her family struggles with her mother's bipolar disorder. I wish all them the best and I'm absolutely amazed what a wonderful activist and outspoken person Mya-Rose has become against all odds. As a person with a mentally ill parent, I know all too well how hard it is to do your own thing while still feeling responsible for your parent.

[Lara Irvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading the hardback version a year ago and put it down after the first few pages. When I decided to give it another shot, I also downloaded the Audible edition, narrated by the author. Okay, I know that sounds redundant but I like to fill in idle time when I can’t actually read, drive time or housework, with the audio version. I fell in love instantly! Maya’s passionate and personal narration really made this story come to life. I could hear her voice even when I returned to the print version. I’m amazed she is only 21 years old!

Maya Rose Craig tells a very personal story of what it is like growing up with a mentally ill parent. Her account highlights the shortcomings or our medical community to address the issue and how social stigma often stands in the way of proper treatment. Birdwatching was the passion that her family used as a type of holistic medicine to deal with her mother’s illness. As a result, by the time Maya was 18, she had traveled every continent and discovered her life’s calling, environmentalism. I was impressed by the detail with which she recalled certain events from her early childhood. Some reviewers have criticized her writing, saying it sounds like a teenager wrote it. Um, guess what. A teenager did write it! And, as a high school teacher, I’m here to tell you that this is one remarkable teenager! Okay, she’s in her 20’s now but she did and wrote as a teen is incredible. I admit that she is idealistic, but her activism has resulted in programs that connect youth with nature. I recommend this book to anyone who loves the outdoors and to young people wondering if they can make a difference. The audio version is definitely worth it.