REVIEW + GIVEAWAY starring...Rare Birds by Jeff Miller

Hello bookish friends!

Today, I am beyond thrilled to be hosting a spot on the RARE BIRDS by Jeff Miller Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. I need to warn you though... like any good scout, explorer, or bird watcher, you need to be prepared; in this case, bring tissues. No questions! Just listen.  Now, let's check out my review post, make sure you enter the giveaway, and then swan off to check out the other sites participating in the tour!

 

RARE BIRDS

By Jeff Miller

Pub. Date: January 31, 2023

Publisher: Union Square Kids

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 288

Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/RARE-BIRDS   

Jeff Miller’s heartbreaking, coming-of-age middle-grade novel—inspired by his personal experience living through his own parent’s heart transplant—invites readers into the world of a twelve-year-old birdwatcher looking for a place to call home and a way to save his mother, even if it means venturing deep into Florida swampland.
 
Twelve-year-old Graham Dodds is no stranger to hospital waiting rooms. Sometimes, he feels like his entire life is one big waiting room. Waiting for the next doctor to tell them what’s wrong with his mom. Waiting to find out what city they’re moving to next. Waiting to see if they will finally get their miracle—a heart transplant to save his mom’s life.
 
When Graham gets stuck in Florida for the summer, he meets a girl named Lou at the hospital, and he finds a friend who needs a distraction as much as he does. She tells him about a contest to find the endangered Snail Kite, which resides in the local gator-filled swamps. Together they embark on an adventure, searching for the rare bird . . . and along the way, Graham might just find something else—himself.
 
Jeff Miller crafts a heartfelt story about what it means to live in this unforgettable middle-grade novel. Rare Birds is a rare find that will resonate with fans of the Carl Hiassen’s Hoot and Melissa Savage’s Lemon. For readers looking for novels with literary appeal and classic themes of family, friendship, and the meaning of life, Rare Birds is a perfect pick.  

 

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OMG.

This book was a rare bird indeed!

Graham is a boy looking for normalcy in a world that makes it harder and harder to find. His mom has longterm health issues, so he's constantly in and out of the hospital, but they make things work.  Lou is a girl looking for a chance to make her mark in a world that doesn't always appreciate the rare things in its midst. Her family's trials means she gets Graham's struggles like no other, which makes them even faster friends than most. Together, they'll set out to accomplish his mom's long held dream... but, in the end, cement something so much more, so much bigger than any rare bird sighting could ever possibly be. 

Guys, this book has so much going for it. From Graham's trials with his mom to dealing with feelings of being a burden, issues of bullying, and simply trying to fit in wherever he landed, while helping his mom any way he could. Lou, where do I even start! As much as I loved Graham, she definitely holds a special place in my heart. Her spunky nature, her willingness to help a friend, her fast way of making friends, her "never give up" attitude... all combined, she was a force to be reckoned with and with SUCH a big heart! Nick, Dom's son - friend of Mom, was certainly a character that needed growth, not in the writing sense, but in the HUMAN sense, but that being said, even he was used to convey more. Even a bully can learn from their mistakes, especially when the source of their transition to the darker side is remedied. 

All in all, this was a magnificent work showing the many facets of humankind, the resilience of our spirits, and just how far love, kindness, and determination can truly take us. 

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About the author...

Jeff Miller is a middle-grade author and former camp counselor originally from Kent, Ohio. He loves snow, coffee, and visiting schools to connect with young readers. His mom, a 2018 heart transplant recipient, has always inspired him to face life with humor and heart. He currently lives in Chicago, where he keeps asking his cats for writing advice.

Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

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~~~   GIVEAWAY  ~~~

1 winner will receive a finished copy of RARE BIRDS, US Only.

Ends February 7th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Special thanks to the Rockstar Book Tours team for the chance to bring this tour to you and to the publisher for the copy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, the publisher, this tour, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is available January 31st, 2023, so mark your calendar or preorder your copy today! Catch the rest of the tour for more!

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

1/23/2023	YA Books Central	Guest Post/IG Post
1/24/2023	Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers	Review/IG Post
1/25/2023	Wanderingwitchreads	Review/IG Post
1/26/2023	A Blue Box Full of Books	Review/IG Post
1/27/2023	@carlysunshinebooks	Review/IG Post

Week Two:

1/30/2023	@jael_and_jenessa_reads	Review/IG Post
1/31/2023	hodophile_z	Review/IG Post
2/1/2023	OneMoreExclamation	Review/IG Post
2/2/2023	@froggyreadteach	Review/IG Post
2/3/2023	Nerdophiles	Review/IG Post

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!