A Bird Will Soar

Axel, an autistic boy, lives with his mom and a collection of found family members since his father moved out. Axel loves birds and spends a lot time watching a young eaglet in a nest near his home. A tornado strikes that destroys the family home and knocks down the nest and injures the eaglet. When Axel’s father comes to help repair the damage Axel struggles to learn the truth about his father’s departure while he works with an ornithologist to save the eaglet. This engaging novel, suitable for independent reading, literature circles, novel study, or read-aloud, deals with topics of communication, abilities, families, relationships, and alcoholism, and has cross-curricular opportunities.