Nighthawk!

Gr 5–8—As a Plebian nighthawk, Wisp is expected to navigate during the Colony's migration by using the stars. But he is hiding a secret: he isn't able to read the stars, and without that ability, there is little reason to keep him around. Separated from his family during a fire in the Northwest Territories, Wisp arrives in the nighthawks' winter home in Ecuador after learning from different bird species he meets along the way. Frustrated by the stifling existence in the Refugium, he escapes to pursue his dream of reaching the tundra. His sister Willo follows him and they are soon joined by Gonzo, a raven who agrees not to eat them if they lead him to the tundra as well. Pursued by Guardians desperate to maintain control over the Colony, Wisp and his companions face obstacles at every turn as they make their way farther north than any nighthawk has dared to fly. The present-tense narration gives immediacy to the action, and the short chapters will keep fans of animal adventure stories turning the pages. There's too little development of life in the Refugium and of Willo, and the phonetic spelling of Gonzo's stereotypical Hispanic accent quickly grows tiresome. However, Wisp is a compelling protagonist. Fiercely independent, he bucks convention for a chance at true freedom and in the process becomes a reluctant leader.—Amanda Raklovits, Champaign Public Library, IL