Birdland

by Tracy Mack

Swirling riffs of language and a propulsive beat set this gritty, transcendent novel in motion.

Amid the sparkle and hum of a New York City winter, Jed and his best friend, Flyer, are filming a documentary of their neighborhood. All around them are images that Jed's older brother Zeke wrote about: drummers, drunks, dog walkers, and the beautiful water towers that dot the city's skyline. But what Jed is really in search of is Zeke, a poet who loved jazzman Charlie "Bird" Parker and who left behind his CDs, a notebook, and a lot of unanswered questions.

When Jed encounters a mysterious homeless girl he thinks holds the key to connecting him to Zeke, it could be his only way to unlock his deepest sorrow and discover how to be--who to be--on his own.

Genres: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, New York, Fiction, Audiobook, Middle Grade

4 pages, Audio CD

First published October 1, 2003

About the author

Tracy Mack is an award-winning and bestselling children’s author. She has written dozens of books, most notably the World Fantasy Award-nominated Shadow Magic series, the Kate McGrath Adventures, and the illustrated Ripple and Flow series. She has degrees in both writing and children’s literature, and when she isn’t writing, she is usually out exploring the world. A traveler at heart, she’s been all across North America, Europe, and parts of Asia. She loves camping, rock-climbing, and anything with animals.

Reviews

[Hector aledo]

the live in new york and the are going trought alot of problems

[Jennie Louwes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is meant for a high school audience. It covers such things as cutting oneself to release pain, smoking (both cigarettes and pot), alcohol, diabetes, suicide, mental health issues, death, and grief. For a high schooler, especially a freshmen at 14, this would be a heavy read.

As an adult, who lives far from city life, the books context, coupled with its New York City setting, was swirls of chaos. It was depressing and bleak. The ending the bright side of hope; life can still move forward as we remember, and find ways of honoring, those we've lost.

In grief there can be isolation, a pulling away, a pulling apart; there can also be new found purpose of heart. It takes people noticing. A teacher with special words and a gift can make all the difference.

As an adult reading this book I would have rated it as two stars. It was just okay. However, knowing the intended audience is for a younger age bracket, and realizing the books relevance and importance for those living within a similar scope of life as the characters within "Birdland", I gave it a three star rating.

Life is far from simple and sometimes the under belly of the world needs to be exposed. Sometimes, the under belly is what kids are forced to find their way through. Sink or swim. It's only those kids who have great love of family bestowed on them, the keen eye and encouragement of a mentor or teacher turned towards them; kids who find a purpose greater than themselves to pursue or are given the help from a "Good Samaritan" that are able to find their way through to life.

It's a cruel, cruel world...

What are you doing to make it better?

May you be the stranger always ready with a kind word and a smile. Ready to take action when necessary and sticking up for the underdog. May you do your part to help others; even if it's just one person, you have it within you to make that someone's life better.

Lift burdens from shoulders and bring light to the world one person at a time. Love in action multiplies. You'll find yourself changed for the better too.

[Adam Wong · Rating 2 out of 5]

Birdland by Tracy Mack is a fictional book that left me disinterested the whole time. The whole plot of the book is about the main character and his best friend, Flyer trying to make a documentary. They go around their town to make their documentary but Joseph, the main character is constantly distracted by his brothers death. The book revolves around the documentary Joseph wants to make about his town and is generally pretty boring because there is no suspense or emotions that will convey any feelings to the readers.
Birdland is best suited for kids in middle school because it is an easy read, and could be an introduction into books with a more serious plot like murder. Joseph is clearly scarred by his brother’s death and this is shown by how almost everything reminds him of his brother, Zeke. While going around making his documentary he spots a girl that he thinks his brother wrote about in his journal.'"It is crazy, I guess, thinking that this homeless girl has Zeke's comb." This makes him want to find her and talk to her. He doesn’t find her right away but over the course of the book he eventually does and in the final parts of the book his family takes her in and cares for her like she is their own blood. The ending of the book is tied up by the girl that was formerly homeless being taken in and cared for, and then presenting the documentary with Joseph and Flyer.
In conclusion this book was not suited for me because it was too low of a reading skill level. The book is a low skill level likely targeted for younger kids, and might just be one of the reasons that kids don't like to read. It is the reading level of a kid in middle school, but this book is best suited for somebody who has a low reading level and is in need of an easy read.

[Seema M. Fazil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read, I really enjoyed it!
It was definitely my type. :)
I really liked how the author described the settings.
There were some problems I had with this book, though.
I didn't get what was with this girl, Kiki that was the key to Zeke (I didn't get why she cut herself, either). Also, in one part, when Flyer's dad, Mr. Gray wraps Jedi in a hug, he felt "my body collapses into the memory of that feeling. My eyes start to well up, which is so stupid." I didn't get why the main character suddenly felt this way. What was the memory? If only the author was a little clearer.
Other than that, it was an awesome book.
Deserves four stars.

[LeeAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow.

Such a powerhouse of a little gem.

All the feels.

Jed is such a fabulous character. And seeing New York through his eyes (and the eyes of his brother's poetry) is indeed a precious gift.

Highly recommended holiday reading.

"I once told her that Alice in Wonderland was my favorite book when I was a kid. Turns out it was her favorite too." (29)

"If you listen
You can hear the street angels
Singing softly
In the deep" (197)

[Ann Yanchura · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoughtful story that honestly examines the terrible (and mixed) emotions that follow the loss of a family member told from a younger brother's perspective. Quick read that treats some of the subjects on a surface level, but one that ultimately touches your heart.

[Cait · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a really interesting book to discuss with students and we loved the themes of family, connection and grief. This being said, we wished there was more depth to these themes instead of a quick wrap-up ending.

[Carol Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dealing with some mature issues, this book handles the situations in an understanding way. Upper middle school level due to subject content.

[Brooklynne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought it would be different than it was. it just wasn't my type.

[Ms W · Rating 2 out of 5]

MsW: Just finished, more to come...

[JenniferL_D1 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Birdland by Tracy Mack is a realistic fiction book. Jed the main character works on a project for school. While filming his neighborhood Jed finds a homeless girl that he thinks may help him find a connection with Zeke his older brother. I recommend this book to people who normally don't read realistic fiction. This book is short so you can try something new.

[Luis Madrid · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jed Diamond is a young, and depressed teen. He has a speech problem and he stutters when he talks. When he tries talking he speaks no more than 3 or 4 words. He can barely put syllabals together to form a word. He wasn't always like this until a tragedy occurred. His poetic older brother Zeke died. Jed and his rebel best friend Flyer were assinged,by their teacher, to film a documentary of their neighborhood. They visited many places but not the usual attractions people travel to new york city to see. Instead they visit sites zeke wrote about in his journals. Along the way Jed Films and befriends a few of the Big Apple's friendly inhabitants.One friend in particular whom Jed frequently talks to, about his troubles, ultimatley helps Jed find happiness, his voice, and the meaning of family.

[Ron Arden]

Enjoyable story about a boy and how he and his family deals with the death of his brother. Joseph Diamond and his friend Flyer make a documentary of thier east village (NYC) neighborhood for a school project over winter break. Jospeh or Jed meet a great group of people including a homeless girl who helps him understand more about Jed's brother Zeke. The imagery is very realistic and puts you right in the city. Zeke is a big fan of Charlie Parker and Jed begins to understand his brother through Bird's music and the poetry that Zeke writes. Did Zeke know Kiki the homeless girl? Is Zeke trying to communicate to Jed through her? The last chapter is a telling of the documentary that Jed created for school. Great way to end the story and very uplifting.

[Toni · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book packed with issues. Boy whose older brother died from diabetic shock after drinking half a bottle of vodka. Was is suicide? It's a year and a bit after the 9/11 attacks and the city is still rebuilding after that. A homeless girl who cuts herself... We are looking for a book with a Jewish main character that doesn't deal with the holocaust, just normal life issues. This is a great book, but might be too full of stuff to unpack for the sixth grade curriculum we are trying to build.

[Devon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emery sent me this book for Christmas (and I didn't get it until weeks later, because God forbid I ever check the mail) and I just got around to reading it during the show on Friday night. Well, it was amazing. Seriously. I read it in about two hours. I enjoyed the story of the whole family coping with Zeke's death. I didn't really understand the connection (if there was one) between Kiki & everything though, except that she was using Zeke's stuff. Anyway, I really enjoyed it.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be a very moving book about relationships. I enjoyed the way the explanations came a little bit at time, it really felt like the information was being pulled out of Jed who didn't want to let go. Every character in the book deals with loss in a different way and learning with Jed that all of those ways are okay but that you also need to speak up if you need support. Theo with the toy ambulance broke my heart.

[Carson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amid the sparkle and hum of a New York City winter, Jed and his best friend, Flyer, are filming a documentary about their neighborhood. But what Jed is really in search of is his big brother, Zeke, an inspiring soul who loved jazzman Charlie "Bird" Parker, wrote electrifying poetry, and died too young. When Jed encounters a mysterious homeless girl he thinks holds the key to connecting him to Zeke, it could be the only way to unlock his deepest sorrow and discover how to be on his own

[Barbara Schultz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was another audio that I download to listen to while I do my morning yoga stretches. I developed Piriformis Syndrome a few months ago and slow stretches are the cure. I am doing much better plus have gotten to listen to some great stories.
This is a short but moving story about family, relationships and loss. Jed is seeking why his brother Zeke died. Title is after jazzman Charlie "Bird" Parker whom Zeke loved and who also died young. Love the cover!!!

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been looking at this one for four years in my library and never realized it's really a winter holiday story. Jed and his friend Flyer manage to create the perfect video elegy for Jed's brother while filming their New York City neighborhood for a class project. This story is so rich; it deserves a more compelling cover.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, I listened to this last year before moving, while commuting. I enjoyed it since it was a little older (YA)than my usual elementary selection (and not appropriate for an elementary library). It had a homeless girl who was a cutter, and almost died (suicide?). But the main story was about a boy hoping to learn more about his brother.

[C&C Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kid films his neighborhood for school project while coming to grips with brother’s death. Gritty voice… pretty interesting. Saves homeless, free- spirited girl and in process comes together with father, who’s been distant. Family relationships, dealing with grief in different ways.

[Abbey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one has been on my shelf for at least ten years (I'm terrible), but I knew I would want to read it and refused to dump it.

It is really well written and is a very unique story about a young boy dealing with grief and relationships.

[Cassidy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one of my favorite New Yorker books. A truly stunning novel. The gritty, lean, prose and excellent characters make Birdland an extraordinary book.

[Joe · Rating 2 out of 5]

A novella that reads like a jazz sonata; sweet, moody and multi-directional: a kid's ode to his late older brother.

[Alison Schultz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story about family dynamics and reaching out to others. I enjoyed it.

[Laura]

Audiobook.
Same narrator as Heartbreaking work of staggering genius...which threw me off at first, but I tried hard to look or listen past it to hear the rest of the story.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story about a young man whose brother died of complications due to juvenile diabetes and how it affected the whole family.

[Tressa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I lost interest in Birdland and stopped listening.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Setting New York. It's about family loss, and reaching out to help.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

a good story and a nice snapshot of NYC.