“It was a miracle to live as birds do, except for one thing: anyone seen in flight would surely be captured, perhaps even shot down like a crow flying above a cornfield. It’s always dangerous to be different, to appear as a monster in most people’s eyes, even from a distance.”
Nightbird by Alice Hoffman is about a town named Sidwell meant for ages 10-13. In Sidwell, people believe in fairy tales. Well, to be more specific, they believe in a monster, the Sidwell monster. Also, 200 years ago, a curse was put on Twig’s family that was supposed to last forever. But will it? Because this summer, Twig is trying to break it.
I liked this book. It is magical realism, and has a pretty good plot (even though this book is on the shorter end). It has interesting, relatable characters and a good magical component. I also liked the parts about the Sidwell owls and I really want some pink apple pie right now! Also, the chapter titles are really good. My favorite is probably “at the interesction of the past, the present, and the future.” I mean, that title just seems so interesting and captivating.
Overall, I would give this book 4 stars because it is a great book with a sweet and nice plot. It is a spellbinding book, and in it friendship and love are truly magical. It had almost all of the things I liked in a book. Curses, friendship, blood moons, pie, animals. This was a good book, and I would defenitely read it again.
