Nightbird

Reviewed by: Kristin Taylor - Biddeford High School, Biddeford, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: May 8, 2016

Review

Alice Hoffman has created another beautiful and bewitching tale of family, friendship and hope for the future. In the Berkshires of Massachusetts, Twig and her mother sell the most scrumptious baked goods in town, but their lives are as secret as secret can be. All of sudden, the town is talking about a mysterious monster that seems to bothering the quiet small town when Twig realizes that it is her family they are indirectly talking about.

There is romance, curses and magic in this wonderful tale about how friendship and determination can heal wounds, even though those wounds were created a century ago. Self-realization and discovery are the abounding themes throughout and the climax to the story proves its worth with an ending that pulls all the meanings together. Recommended for grades 4-9.

Overall Book Score: excellent