Giveaway: Swordbird by Nancy Yi Fan

I admit it, the cover sucked me in to this book. There was just something about little sword-wielding warrior birds that was appealing. This is a kids book, and so, knowing it would be probably a quick and easy read, I chose it as my first book for Dewey's Read-a-thon that I participated in back in April this year. I'm already making a mental list of what books I may want to read for the next 'thon in October, but I digress (oh look, a butterfly!)

We learn in the author's note that Nancy was just a young teenager herself when she wrote and published this book, inspired by a dream of warring birds, and trying to deal with the terrorism of September 11th. This is a book about finding the truth, not letting evil have it's way, and restoring peace. I felt that it was a very solid story, and do recommend it. It is targeted towards the 8-12 year old range.

The Cardinals and the Blue Jays have been fighting each other, each side believing the other guilty of stealing their eggs. In actuality, it is the predator birds, led by Turnatt the hawk, who are stealing the eggs, turning the two sides against each other and enslaving the smaller woodland birds to build a fortress. Once this truth is known, the Cardinals and Blue Jays band together to stop the evil by working to summon Swordbird, a legendary warrior bird who has taken on near diety status to them.

I do love the illustrations, I think my favorite is of the cardinal carrying his bow and arrows, I just love the imagery!

I'm ready to pass along my copy of Swordbird to make a new friend. This is a gently used, Bookcrossing labeled copy, and while I would love a journal entry from the winner (which can be done anonymously if you decide that Bookcrossing is not for you) the book is yours to do with as you choose. To enter, leave a comment on this post telling me what your favorite type of bird is, with an e-mail address to contact you. No favorite bird, no entry! I will choose a winner on July 31st.