The birdwatchers of Central Park were buzzing–a young red-tailed hawk had been spotted, would he stay? The bird they dubbed Pale Male not onl...
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reviews
Sep 27, 2011
Abigail
rated it: 
One of three picture-books devoted to the story of New York City's resident raptor - the other two are Jeanette Winter's The Tale of Pale Male: A True Story, and Meghan Mccarthy's City Hawk: The Story of Pale Male - Janet Schulman's Pale Male: Citizen Hawk of New York City is the most detailed of the lot, and is one I would recommend to slightly older readers. Beginning with the young red-tailed hawk's arrival in Central Park - a common stop-over for migrating birds - the narrative covers his va
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Jun 03, 2008
KT
rated it: 
My first response when I saw this book come in was "Oh, pu-leeze! Another book about that damned hawk who lives in upper Manhattan?! Note to New Yorkers: The rest of the world doesn't so much care about your stupid bird. How can publishers put out three picture books within a 12-month period about a bird in Manhattan when they can't publish one picture book in a 12-year period about a Hmong kid in the Midwest? You New York editors seriously need a reality check!"
Call me a h More...
Call me a h More...
Dec 26, 2008
Lynn
rated it:
This is a wonderful combination of science and picture book! The water color illustrations are not only beautiful but very engaging for children. The background science about red tailed hawks is wonderfully integrated in the really inspiring story. This story of blase New Yorkers who become so attached to the nesting hawks shows how deep our connection to nature goes. My grandsons were captivated by this book which includes lengthy but very lively text. Long live Pale Male!
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Jan 19, 2012
Barbara
rated it:
When a young red-tailed hawk arrives in New York City, he causes quite a stir among bird-lovers, but once he decides to build a nest on top of a Fifth Avenue high rise, all sorts of complications follow. The author has done an extraordinary job of capturing the essence of NYC and the way the hawk managed to capture the imaginations of so many. Only someone with the hardest of hearts could fail to be moved by the determination of the bird and his mate to build a nest and raise their young. The wa
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Mar 28, 2011
Kathryn
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This is my second picture book encounter with Pale Male and I'm very happy to know this illustrious bird and honorary citizen of NYC as somehow (no, I do not live under a rock) I had never heard of him before I encountered the book! For those similarly in the dark, Pale Male arrived in New York City's Central Park when he was less than two years old and, unlike the many other hawks who simply migrate on through, Pale Male decided that he could make a very nice home for himself right there in Ce
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Jun 04, 2008
GraceAnne
rated it: 
I enjoyed this a lot, and the art is beautiful. I confess, though, that I love Jeanette Winter's The Tale of Pale Male even more, with its poetic text and astonishing pictures.
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Jul 31, 2008
Christina
rated it:
Even the hardest of hearts will admire the true-story-tenacity of a red tailed hawk who dares to call an elite apartment building in New York City home.
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Apr 15, 2009
Gayle
rated it:
This is by far the best Bluebonnet nominee I've read so far. Pale Male is a nonfiction story of a red-tailed hawk who chose the top of an apartment building in NYC as his nesting place. The author draws you in and you become part of the Pale Male fan club as you experience the dangers for a red tailed hawk and his family in a steel and concrete forest.
I felt uplifted and at peace with the fact that man and animal can live together--if the one with the larger brain can adapt with the same a More...
I felt uplifted and at peace with the fact that man and animal can live together--if the one with the larger brain can adapt with the same a More...
Apr 10, 2009
Janet
rated it:
I can see why this book has received accolades. It's really a classic fairy tale. Our heroic hawk takes up residence in a strange city, falls in love, meets setbacks, wins out over impossible odds only to be foiled and to succeed once again. While telling this riveting true tale, Schulman deftly weaves in facts about hawks and their food, New York, politics, and history. The watercolor paintings are gorgeous, and there is a detailed author's note.
Dec 22, 2008
oplkids
rated it:
Pale Male is a red-tailed hawk who, with his mate, builds his nest on the ledge of an apartment building high about Fifth Avenue. Soon, the people who live in the building complain about feathers, bones and other waste falling to the sidewalk, and the nest is taken down. But after many New Yorkers protest, Pale Male is allowed to return. He and his mate raise their babies and continue to live in NYC.
Oct 04, 2011
I haven't read this but I did read the 'adult' version: "Red Tails in Love". This would be a great book for kids who have an interest in birds or nature. Pale Male lives at 927 5th Avenue near Central Park. He was first noticed in the early 1990's and still flies there today. He's had several mates through the years and raised numerous chicks. And he has his own website. Palemale.com
Oct 02, 2010
Jenny
rated it:
This is the incredible true story of how a shy red-tailed hawk and his mate thrive in bustling New York City. They struggle to keep their nest on top of a Fifth Avenue apartment building, but environmentalists and every-day New Yorkers alike rally to give them their support. The watercolor illustrations bring this story to life. This would be a great read-aloud for transitional readers.
Jun 22, 2008
Roxanne Hsu
rated it:
Note to self:
The illustrations are great with wonderful water colors and those thin lines accentuating the shapes or some details. Examples: the fledglings pages. The studies of hawks show their majestic natures and fluid flight movements. The closer one examines the pictures, the more one appreciates the art.
The text is fine and with moments of humor and sparks: examples: "The birders watched the hardworking parents ferry home pigeons, rats, and occasionally a sq More...
The illustrations are great with wonderful water colors and those thin lines accentuating the shapes or some details. Examples: the fledglings pages. The studies of hawks show their majestic natures and fluid flight movements. The closer one examines the pictures, the more one appreciates the art.
The text is fine and with moments of humor and sparks: examples: "The birders watched the hardworking parents ferry home pigeons, rats, and occasionally a sq More...
Apr 10, 2011
Debbie (Readerbuzz)
rated it:
This was a Bluebonnet last year, but I decided to reread it for my upcoming trip to New York. Pale Male is a red-tailed hawk who chose to live in the posh neighborhood next to Central Park. The owners of the property didn't appreciate Pale Male, but the bird lovers rose to his defense and Pale Male was allowed to stay.
Mar 10, 2009
Joy
rated it: 
I have come to expect more from children's nonfiction. This book just didn't cut the mustard for me. I found it to be a little preachy and over the top. It ends with the line, "Long live Pale Male!" I have always been fascinated by raptors but, really?!
Mar 09, 2009
Barbara
rated it:
I recommend this book for the water color art. Meilo So's illustrations lift the emotional core of Pale Male's story and lighten the dense boxy look of the text.
Young birders will enjoy reading about this red hawk's triumph in Central Park.
Young birders will enjoy reading about this red hawk's triumph in Central Park.
Jan 07, 2009
Leigh
rated it:
Rumor has it this title is short listed for the Caldecott. Personally, I hope it wins. I love the drawings of the urban hawk who is befriended by New Yorkers. The story is great-callous New Yorkers unite to help wild hawks breed in Central Park.
Jan 13, 2009
Molly
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This is the story of a Hawk who came to New York City and found that Central Park was the place for him. When he build his nest on the front of a expensive apartment building he gains fans who will support and dislike his home. Grades 2+
Dec 30, 2008
Sam
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This storybook is wonderfully told and beautifully illustrated. A great way for kids (and oblivious adults like me) to learn about Pale Male, New York City's official hawk.
Jan 12, 2010
Sam
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This book isnt the best and most exciting book but it has a good moral and it is true that we really need to pay attention to the wild hawks out there
Jan 12, 2012
Silas
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Our friend Dominic recommended this book, it was very good. We would have protested against the apartment building if we'd been around then.
Mar 21, 2009
Kayne
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A nice story and a good intro to bird watching. It just needs some direction into local bird watching for all the non-New Yorkers.
Jul 15, 2009
Marla
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AD880L
What a fantastic story!! Makes me want to travel to New York just to try to catch sight of him.
What a fantastic story!! Makes me want to travel to New York just to try to catch sight of him.
Dec 21, 2009
Anna
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Wonderful book. Is on the Bluebonnet list. Never knew hawks lived in Central Par
Dec 30, 2008
Nicola
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A wonderful story of raptor versus NY's hoy poloy with a happy ending.
Jan 07, 2010
Charlyn
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Pigeons are city birds; red-tailed hawks are not. Even the greenery of New York's Central Park had never enticed a hawk to nest in the city--then Pale Male arrived. The hawk and his mate chose an apartment building as the site for their nest and then the birdwatchers who first noticed the birds were joined by all sorts of citizens who became fans of the bird. With softly colored illustrations, this book details the life of a "citified" bird who became famous.
Apr 27, 2008
Krista the Krazy Kataloguer
rated it:
I first learned about Pale Male from a documentary which I got from the library. I was delighted to find that someone has written a picture book about him, which filled in some of the gaps that the film left. I understand that there is a second children's book by a different author about Pale Male--must check that out.
Aug 27, 2009
Katherine
rated it:
I liked this book-ok I admit I love the idea of Pale Male-this would be a great read aloud while doing a nature unit or a unit on what animals live in the city.
