I read The Secret Language of Birds by Lynne Kelly because I loved a previous book by Lynne, Song For a Whale. If you haven’t read Song for a Whale, run!, don’t walk to get yourself a copy before you read The Secret Language of Birds. It doesn’t say in the blurb, but the main character in Song for a Whale is also in The Secret Language of Birds. It is a bit of a cameo part, but it does describe some of what happens in the Whale book, and it would have been a spoiler for me. All that to say both books are amazing and well worth reading.

The Secret Language of Birds takes place at a Texas summer camp for kids. Nina, the main character, is 12 and has always had a hard time making friends. She finds her people at the camp, and also is able to feed her passion for learning about birds. Namely, some rare birds for Texas, that seem to be whooping cranes. But that’s impossible - or is it? Lynne Kelly has written Nina’s character development throughout the book exceptionally well. As a retired teacher, I keep thinking how great this book would be for discussing character development with learners. Especially since they would love the story, and learn some science about birds along the way! Definitely a 5-star read, for everyone!

This was a delightful book set in a summer camp for girls in Texas. They four main characters were all new to the camp so they gravitated towards each other which was wonderful because they became friends, probably for life.

Nina's aunt is the director of the summer camp and allows Nina to come for the summer. This is a new experience for Ninca, who has ever spent a long time away from her family so she is quite nervous when all the other campers arrive. Luckily, she meets the other odd ones out and they become the Oddballs. As Nina is an amateur bird watcher who discovers whooping cranes in the marsh...this cannot be as these birds have not been seen in Texas in many years.

As the book progresses, we are able to see the problem solving skills and maturity the young women employ during the summer along with the lessons learned. i really feel, as the reader, you see a group of young women who will be lifelong friends and have fond memories of camp.

I really liked the way the book started with the family at Buc-ees, a well-known spot in parts of the south and southwest. While I had never heard of it until the last couple of years, I was recently gifted a Buc-ees t-shirt. People who know the favorite travel spot will understand how the opening could easily happen.

As an educator, I am asked if I would use this in school. While it would not become a part of my curriculum, I would have no qualms about recommending this book to students to read.

Lynne Kelly's The Secret Language of Birds is an ideal summer read, with friendship, mystery, summer camp, friendships new and old, and maybe even a ghost.

Nina often feels like she doesn't fit. Not at school, where she struggles to make friends. Not at home, where she feels largely forgettable in her large family. Not at any of the day camps her mom has pushed on her over the years. This year, instead of trying another hobby-based day camp where she doesn't feel good enough, Nina decides to go to her aunt's sleepaway camp. She can continue her amateur birding there, and maybe even make some friends. A rare bird sighting sends her and her potential new friends on a new course.

Kelly captures the difficulty of making friends in middle school, especially when one feels like they're too much. Nina is such a well developed character. Her moments of awkwardness and insecurity are relatable, as is the difficulty of sharing your special interest without overwhelming others. Nina's new friends, self-dubbed the Oddball Cabin due to their odd number, create a great friend group.

The whooping crane mystery will appeal to all the animal-loving readers, and may make more than a few start learning more about birds and birding in general.

As a parent, I really appreciate seeing kids do dangerous things safely. The representation of kids exploring their environment independently is wonderful, especially as the reader learns the counselors and Nina's aunt have created a safe space for them to do so. Kids need to take risks, and they need safe places to try new skills. Aunt Audrey's camp is the perfect setting for this reason and many more.

Nina's character arc includes a beautiful redemption as she learns to make amends and practices listening to others as she repairs and builds an older friendship.

The Secret Language of Birds is sure to delight young readers and adults alike with its likable characters, gorgeous setting, and engaging plot.

Thank you to the author, Random House Children's, Delacorte Press, and NetGalley for a digital ARC such that I could share my honest opinions.

The Secret Language of Birds will be available April 9, 2024.

It’s official, Lynne Kelly is now an autobuy author for my school library. Her 2019 novel, 'Song for a Whale', is one of my favorites, and I was so excited to read her new book. I figured I’d really enjoy it but that it wouldn’t live up to her earlier book. After all, Whale is about a Deaf girl, sealife, multi-generational connections, and a trip to Alaska - some of my favorite things! There’s no way a book about a girl at camp who loves birds would be able to connect with my heart in the same way.

WRONG!

First of all, I audibly squealed when I realized that the new book is in the same world as my previous fave! One of my favorite tropes in MG lit is having a situation written from different POVs and opening the reader’s eyes to how varied our own perspectives can be, and that’s exactly what you see here. Nina was an annoying, cringey girl in the first book, but in 'Birds' we get to explore her experience and perspectives in a deep and meaningful way. I ended up adoring her and admiring so much of her character growth! This book can absolutely be read as a stand-alone, but Nina’s journey of self-awareness and empathy took on such a deeper meaning as a result of reading both books.

If someone asked me why I love Middle Grade books so much, this is a book I would hand over instead of trying to explain how powerful this genre is. This story explores family dynamics, new friendships, damaged relationships, mystery, nature, science, wonder, and technology, while telling an entertaining and emotional story. I loved this book so much, and I will be raving about it for a while!

Read this with my 14 year old. It was a big hit. It took a bit for her to warm up with some of the characters but overall she loved it. I asked her to let me know what she thought too.

The Secret Language of Birds was a neat little story I really enjoyed it. At first I did not like Nina ( the main charter) but I think it’s just because I didn’t like her in Lynne Kelly’s other book “Song for a whale” but she got better. Until she went off saying how alone she it and she doesn’t belong any were. That was just a little annoying, however she found her flock at the end. I really liked how the story played out, I thought it was neat that she named the baby whooping crane Josephine, after the girl who redecorated the whooping crane, the same ones that were almost close to exists hon and haven’t been to Texas in more than a hundred years! Over all I liked The Secret Language of Birds it was a good book.

I loved getting this story for the character who played a side role in Song For a Whale. Having Iris cross over here made for some interesting character growth for Nina as well. While I think some aspects of this book would be a little "mature" for my fourth grade students (there is mention of a bra and boobs, so leaning a little more middle grade), I think this would be a really nice read for middle schoolers. The characters demonstrate testing boundaries (not in unsafe ways), finding their own paths, and staying true to themselves. Great message overall and great story!

The Secret Language of Birds is one of the best books I’ve read this year! It is the sweetest story and kept me reading when I should have been up doing other things. I couldn’t wait to finish camp with the Oddballs and their birds! I haven’t read Kelly’s book, Song of a Whale, but I am pretty sure there is a little tie in going on here so I can’t wait to go read it and I hope that we have another book about these girls. The beginning has a perfect start and introduces one of the themes of each of us having value/significance. There is so much about friendship and these girls helping each other as they discover an understanding of emotions, especially sadness (fossil sadness). There were so many wonderful takeaways, like being true to you and also that the little things we do can make a difference to someone else (if not to ourselves). This is one of the great middle great books that kids and adults can enjoy whether read to themselves or as a read aloud.

Thank you Random House/Delacorte Press, NetGalley, and Lynne Kelly for the opportunity to review this amazing book. The story is about a young girl, Nina, who goes to camp and in a secluded area finds a pair of Whooping Cranes that are rare in that part of the country. In no time she and her friends are taking turns keeping an eye on the birds who have an egg they are sitting on. Following clues they find out who the male crane is by getting a picture of his tracking band and letting the wildlife department know about him. However, the female crane has no band and is a complete mystery and they must try to figure out who she is. The answer is quite awesome and heartwarming. I recommend this book to anyone that loves birds, the outdoors and a happy ending 🥰

Following my love for Lynne Kelly's work after "Song for a Whale," I eagerly dove into "The Secret Language of Birds." Nina, struggling to fit in, finds solace in her newfound love for birdwatching. A summer at her aunt's camp seems like the perfect escape to connect with nature. There, Nina befriends a group of girls, and during an exploration, they stumble upon a rare sight: whooping cranes building a nest! Nina's knowledge sparks a thrilling mystery – who is the unidentified female bird? Join Nina and her friends as they become bird detectives, unraveling the secret while forming a special bond. Kelly's characters, including a delightful return from "Song for a Whale," come alive alongside fascinating bird facts. "The Secret Language of Birds" is a heartwarming middle-grade read, perfect for anyone who needs a reminder to spread their wings and find their passion.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Nina is the middle child in a family of five and she is used to being over-looked in her busy household. Her mother is a planner who typically maps out Nina's whole summer with random activities but this time her eldest sister encourages Nina to find a camp where she can focus on her newfound passion for bird-watching. Luckily she is able to get a spot at a nature camp run by her somewhat estranged aunt. Nina doesn't have the best track records with making friends but she is able to find a niche with a small group of self-proclaimed "Oddballs." While on a midnight excursion with some other campers Nina spots what she thinks may be a very rare and special bird. The plot unfolds from there with rich themes including protecting nature and second chances.

The Secret Language of Birds was the first book that I've read by Lynne Kelly but it certainly won't be a the last. This was a lovely story from start to finish, with an authentic central character. Many thank to NetGalley for the advance copy of this wonderful middle grade novel.

Great middle grades book! The beginning of the story drew me in right away and made me laugh. The majority of the story takes place at a summer camp. Would be a great club for a classroom book club. Topics that could be discussed include appreciation of and respect for nature, friendship, individuality, and more!

Fans of Kelly's "Song for a Whale" will love this new book. Nina doesn't feel she really fits in anywhere, even with her family. That is until she develops a love for bird watching. When the opportunity to go to her aunt's summer camp is offered, Nina haltingly agrees. While trying to navigate not being a camper and not being on staff, Nina works on making friends, watching birds, and helping her aunt at the camp. When the older girls convince her to visit the haunted cabin in the woods, Nina has a mystery to solve and maybe make a new discovery along the way.

The story kept me interested in what was happening and hoping for a great ending which was delivered. I enjoyed seeing Iris from "Song for a Whale" and learning what has happened to her. This is a great novel for middle grade.

The Secret Language of Birds, by Lynne Kelly, is a lovely middle-grade novel. The beautiful cover draws the reader in and the heartwarming story about friendship keeps you interested. Thanks, NetGalley and the publisher, for providing me with the ARC ebook I read and reviewed. All opinions are my own.

I have to say that I absolutely adored this book. It is the epitome of what middle grade fiction is to me. We have our main character Nina who feels like she just doesn't feel seen or fits in. Just an "oddball", who falls in love with birds and bird calling. She ends up going to summer camp with her aunt whom she hasn't heard the greatest things about. At this camp she finds her people and ends up on an adventure that helps her to find a bird that is one for the books. This book brings back Iris, a character from the author's previous book, and her and the main character patch things up. Nina finds her place and I loved it!!

Lynne Kelly has written another beautiful book about a girl finding her place in this world. As the story begins Nina feels like an oddball. She ends up going to an all girls summer camp that her aunt runs that is focused on nature. She feel out of place at the camp as well until she finds a group of girls that are oddballs too.

At camp, Nina stumbles on a bird that she thinks is a whooping crane, but that can’t be right because they haven’t been seen in that part of the state for years. I liked the mystery behind what the bird was and about how the oddballs helped solved it.

Ultimately, this book is a heartwarming story about finding friendship and becoming yourself with the perfect amount of nostalgic summer camp vibes.

4/5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children’s for an eARC of this book.

I was hooked from the cover and description and so glad I got to read this, it had a great children's fiction element and I loved the use of birds. The characters were everything that I wanted from this type of book and enjoyed how strong the world was. Lynne Kelly has a great writing style and I was invested in what was happening. It had a great coming-of-age element to it and I loved that we were trying to hatch a rare bird.

The Secret Language of Birds is a fantastic coming-of-age story about a 13 year old girl named Nina. Nina's story begins when she accidentally gets left behind by her large family at a Buc-Ee's of all places! All turns out okay but this event kicks off Nina's obsession with birds!

Nina doesn't quite fit in with her family--she's an "odd duck" like her Aunt Audrey who runs a nature sleep away camp. Zugunruhe is a German word that tells birds it's time to migrate. And Nina does just that when she leaves home to spend the summer at camp with Aunt Audrey.

Nina is a character I think kids will relate to. She's smart and loves birds but struggles with fitting in and making friends. At camp, Nina meets other "oddball" kids like her--yes that's what they call themselves! Nina has an experience she'll never forget! She discovers a pair of nesting whooping cranes which turns out to be a very big deal as whooping cranes are an endangered species and haven't been spotted in Nina's native Texas in a long time. This is a story about friendship and family and taking chances. My 10 year old is loving this story too!

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

There are so many wonderful things I can say about this book. It made me smile and laugh, but it also made me tear up.
I loved shy Nina, and how being at camp for the summer with her Aunt Audrey brought her out of her shell.
I loved that she made friends and they called themselves the Oddballs.
And the bird discovery and everything thing it led to, it was a really beautiful story.
I loved that emotions are talked about too and Nina knows that it's okay to cry and be sad sometimes but that there are still plenty of happy moments in the world.
I liked that we got to see Iris also, from Lynne Kelly's first book. I liked how she was able to help and I learned even more about animal calls!
I can't wait to recommend this book to do many students and families.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

I loved this book!
Nina doesn’t feel like she really fits in anywhere. Not at school, nor with her large family, with whom she sometimes gets literally overlooked. Nina’s great passion is birdwatching, and her enthusiasm for it sometimes gets her in trouble with people who don’t understand when she gets excited. When Nina is offered a chance to spend the summer at her Aunt Audrey’s camp for girls, she jumps at it. Birdwatching to her heart’s content! Her experiences lead her to some wonderful surprises, and also to discoveries about herself and her place in the world…
A must-read for anyone who has ever felt like a “cuckoo chick in the wrong nest”, and wondered if they will ever really fit in, anywhere.
*Loved the shout-out to Buc-ee’s , a haven that any true Texan is familiar with!*

I can totally relate to Nina as I too was that child. Thirteen year old Nina feels like she never quite fits in. She tries too hard to make friends and always seems to say or do the wrong thing. Her only “friends” are the numerous birds she watches and learns to identify with the bird watching app on her phone. Until she goes to a summer camp run by her Aunt Audrey. At camp Nina soon discovers “the Oddballs” and finds her tribe. Following up on a “ghost” sighting at the camp’s abandoned infirmary Nina discovers a pair of nesting whooping cranes – a bird species that has not been seen in that part of Texas for over 100 years. With the help of Odetta, a wildlife specialist and her three new friends, Nina sets out to learn more about the cranes and how they ended up in the marsh on the outskirts of camp. While the mystery of the cranes takes up the bulk of the story it is at its heart a coming of age story about friendship and finding one’s place in the world. Recommended middle grade read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.