Flightless Birds

Sometimes, I read a book and think, Well, that was pretty good. But sometimes, I read a book, then get to the end and reread it. Then, I attach sticky notes in the really good parts. And then, I simply have to tell everyone about it!

Girls Don't Fly by Kristen Chandler is such a book.

From the minute I opened the book, I was caught up in the story. Chandler takes her main character, Myra, through many twists and turns. Through it all, Myra remains a believable character, one that you just want to root for!

A fascinating aspect of the novel is Chandler's use of extended metaphor. Throughout the book, the author connects characters and action in the story to birds. Never mind that one plot focus is on Myra's study of birds. Myra's whole teenage struggle is connected to birds, bird facts, flight imagery, etc. Chandler uses neat bird-related terms at the top of each new chapter, which introduces new ideas about Myra's personal struggle as well as topic of Myra's research.

Myra is studying flightless birds of Galapogos. And often, she views herself as a flightless bird. This image crops up all through the novel. For example, Myra wonders if she will be stuck forever in her "pathetic, flightless life" (p 82), and questions whether she is "flightless, forever grounded, marooned in Landon" (p 73). Even one of her part-time jobs is as a flightless bird advertising fast food on a corner! That particular incident is heavily laden with foreshadowing!

Another neat trick Chandler uses to move the plot is Myra's storytelling. Every night, Myra makes up bedtime stories for her little brothers. The cool part of the stories is that they are really Myra working through her personal issues. (Maybe she doesn't even recognize this, herself.) Readers will understand that the "scullery maid" in Myra's tale is really herself. And Myra's sense of self, and value of herself, gradually improves in each bedtime story. My favorite moment is when Myra uses BIRDS in the bedtime story! (p 193)

I ended up with 6 sticky notes in this book. I could have put even more, but near the end, I just got caught up in the story!

I highly recommend this book! In fact, I think it would make a great book circle selection. Or maybe a novel to study in class. Any teen struggling to find herself should pick up this book. (Or anyone, frankly.) The ending of Chandler's book is powerful, poignant, and purposeful. (And unexpected.) You simply must read to the very last line! Chandler takes the bird metaphor to the last word (p 300).