Birdlands - by Anthony McGowan (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A thrilling and heart-breaking animal adventure from the Carnegie-winning author of Lark.

From Carnegie-winning author Anthony McGowan comes another thrilling and heartbreaking animal adventure

'An exquisitely written novel from one of our finest writers - a story of humour and tenderness, threaded with hope and the fierce instinct to survive.' Hannah Gold

'One of the best animal stories you are likely to read for a very long time.' Piers Torday

An unlikely flock. The adventure of a lifetime.

Life can be tough when you're a bird, especially for Beaky, Herman and Pidge. With the young jackdaw's twisted beak, the crow's broken wing and the pigeon's fear of flying, survival seems impossible. Until, that is, they band together.

The trio set out into the wild, leaving the city far behind. But danger lurks at every turn... Will the three birds ever find a place they can call home?

'Only a truly great storyteller could write this book and Tony McGowan is the finest one we have.' Phil Earle

Review Quotes

'McGowan is brilliant at balancing fantasy and realism - and the birds' characters are sufficiently well-painted as to make their transformative friendship the story's most absorbing element. The simple prose will make the book accessible to children of nine-plus. But the story has an emotional intelligence that will resonate with much older readers- and after 40 or so novels, it will surely rank as one of McGowan's best.' The Telegraph

'Birdlands is an exquisitely written novel from one of our finest writers - a story of humour and tenderness, threaded with hope and the fierce instinct to survive. Think The Incredible Journey, but with birds.' Hannah Gold

'Birdlands is Anthony McGowan at his best: warm, funny, pacy, and immaculately written. I loved it.' Sarah Crossan

'A truly unforgettable story of survival against the odds. which is brim full of tragedy and loss, bravery, love and hope and which has future classic written all over it!' LoveReading4Kids

'I literally fell in love with this book! It reminded me of the classic animal tales I adored as a child ... Birdlands had me utterly in thrall and I was completely in love with Beaky, Herman and Pidge, who will stay long in my heart. Just the most beautiful, extraordinary book by a writer who just seems to get better and better!' Catherine Bruton

'In Birdlands, McGowan's deft characterisation, empathic animal portrayal, and trademark humour create an outstanding story for young readers. Beaky, Pidge and Herman's journey is unforgettable, not only in the obstacles they face, but for its quiet insistence on the value of all creatures, however small.' Gita Ralleigh

'In this beautifully simple tale about three struggling wild birds Tony McGowan has given us a story for our troubled times that is filled equally with joy, sorrow and hope.' Mark Cocker

'One of the best animal stories you are likely to read for a very long time - thrillingly red in beak and claw, with not a trace of sentimentality and yet radiant with heart, hope and joy ... its unbending admiration at the will to survive against all the odds, the whole miraculous wonder and mystery of nature [is] brought out so finely through the single journey of three brave birds that you will never ever forget.' Piers Torday

'This book is special. It's far from a difficult read, yet at the same time it is deeply profound. It is about many things; survival, friendship, abandonment, disability and love. It speaks of a deep affection for the natural world whilst recognising its uncompromising cruelty. Only a truly great storyteller could write this book and Tony McGowan is the finest one we have.' Phil Earle

'This is a very special book that tackles diverse themes: disability, love, hope, determination, survival, friendship and loyalty.' BookTrust

'Wonderful storytelling, unforgettable characters, high adventure and a depth of emotion which all add up and make it impossible to quit reading. But what else do you expect from a writer as extraordinary as Anthony McGowan? Book of the Year!' Keith Gray

Praise for Dogs of the Deadlands:

'This wonderful novel deserves to receive the literary equivalent of the starlight barking to ensure it's read by all.' The Times

'This book! It broke my heart and then splintered it back together again. Imagine Watership Down meets The Animals of Farthing Wood but fiercer.' Hannah Gold, author of The Last Bear

'A multilayered tale of loss and renewal with elements both topical and universal.' Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Anthony McGowan is one of the most widely acclaimed young adult and children's authors in the UK. His books have won numerous major awards. In 2020, he was awarded the CILIP Carnegie Medal for Lark. He was also shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal with Rook and won the Booktrust Teenage Prize and the Catalyst Award for Henry Tumour. His YA novel The Knife That Killed Me was made into a critically-lauded film in 2014. Anthony lives in London, with his wife, two children and dog.