The Secret Language of Birds
By: Lynne Kelly
Genre: Middle Grade
Number of Pages: 240
Published: April 9, 2024
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Dates Read: May 22, 2024 - May 24, 2024
Format: Library Book / Hardcover

Nina has always felt like the odd one out, both at school and with her family. When she goes to the summer camp her aunt runs, Nina expects it to be exactly the same – but then she meets the Oddballs, a group of three girls from the last cabin at camp. One night, while sneaking out to see a ghost with her fellow campers, Nina discovers what appears to be two whooping cranes who built a nest behind an abandoned infirmary – which is impossible since this species of birds haven’t nested in Texas for over a hundred years.

When Nina reports the sighting to wildlife officials, more questions arise. These birds are all tagged and tracked, but they can’t identify the female bird. With the help of the Oddballs, Nina sets out to discover who the mystery bird is and along the way, maybe she’ll find her own flock.

I really enjoyed Nina’s journey in finding her group of friends who enjoyed each other’s company and were supportive of each other. The reconnection of Nina and Iris was realistic and wholesome as well and their conversations felt genuine, especially when Iris was telling Nina how she felt. Lynne Kelly really has a way of writing with empathy, care, and gentleness. Even when Nina was having anxiety over her new friends and situations, she wasn’t ever written as being over the top or anything.

I haven’t read A Song for a Whale (yet) but this gave me more of a reason to get that moved up on my TBR. I wanted to read this one because of Nina’s love for birds and being an amateur bird watcher. It was fun finding out the ways Nina would discover birds and how she talked or thought about them.

This was aimed at Middle Grade readers, but I feel like quite a few audiences can enjoy it. It’s sweet and gentle. Without ruining anything, there’s stuff at stake but it’s not really a high stakes type of book. This will take you on an adventure with a young girl at summer camp watching over a pair of birds with her friends and in the end, watch Nina change the way she not only views others, but herself as well.

Thank you Delacorte Press and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review