Bird Boy

by Catherine Bruton

Can you heal a broken wing? What about a broken heart?

After the tragic death of his mother, eleven year old Will is sent to temporarily stay with his uncle in the mountains. After years trapped in a high-rise flat, with only birds for company, Will doesn’t know how he’ll survive a place like this, but he soon finds solace in the woods, when he’s surrounded by birdsong.

With his new friend Omar – a refugee from Afghanistan – Will discovers an osprey nest, with two small chicks inside. He forms an unbreakable bond with the birds, especially the smallest chick, who they name Whitetip. But when tragedy almost strikes again one stormy night, and Whitetip is knocked out of the nest – breaking a wing, Will is determined to save her. Smuggling her down from the mountain, he finds a way to keep her alive.

As Will helps Whitetip to grow and to heal, he finds a strength inside himself that he never knew he had. Maybe, finally, Will can find a way to take flight too…

Genres: Middle Grade, Childrens

304 pages, Paperback

First published May 9, 2024

About the author

I live just outside Bath with my husband, Jonny, and my two children (plus two toy monkeys, six goldfish and we’re hoping to get some chickens!). I teach English two days a week at a local secondary school. I also write articles for newspapers and magazines. Oh, and I write novels too!

Reviews

[Stephen the Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the outset Bird Boy is a moving and beautiful story.

This is the story of Will; his mum has recently dies and he's been sent to live with his Uncle Ian in the countryside- a contrast from his previous life; living in a tower block and home schooled for two years as his mother developed phobias and anxieties about life in the world outside home- 'protecting ' them by isolating from wider society . However, Will's mum did give him the wonder and love of wildlife and a knowledge of the bird world with the help of a guidebook and binoculars.

The move to the countryside is traumatic for Will . He befriends Omar, a refugee from Afghanistan and also with a love of the natural world.
Their friendship leads them to an amazing discovery - a family of rare ospreys. Highly protected birds, an incident leads to the boys having to
'illegally' rescue a young bird and save it from death. Omar gives Will the name, "Bird Boy". Their covert adventure soon leads to other problems resulting a community coming together. There is recognition of Barry Hines' superb classic- Kestrel for a Knave

Catherine Bruton's professional understanding of young people's grief and loss is palpable within the pages and the descriptions about the osprey's recovery and flight are truly fantastic

This is a story about anxiety, suffering, loss and transition - but even more so this is a book about the healing power of nature, a book about friendship and understanding and ultimately a story about family and belonging.

This is a book for readers 10-14; those with a love of nature but also a book that shows how through adversity life can move forward. A book to read alone or dynamic class read.

A TV adaptation has to be considered... an absolute winning novel
Highly recommended

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This really blew me away. I was just lamenting how the majority of children's books are now about magic or superpower. They are great reads but do we really need that many of them? This one is different, so very different. This is about a boy who has just lost his mother and is now living with his uncle in the countryside. It is a story about how nature and friendship can heal a broken heart with pieces scattered on a strange new pasture.

It is a very poignant yet heartwarming story. I love the depth of emotions in the story. I will definitely try to use this in one of my courses.

[Luca · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25
just so heartfelt + the cover is so beautiful

[Katrina Clarke · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

A heartening, patient story of healing and friendship.
Will has lost his Mum, who for years was unwell and too frightened to let him out of her sight. When she dies, the shock and guilt and trauma overwhelm Will. He is sent to live in the countryside with his mountain rescue, scarred and silent uncle he didn't know anything about.
He befriends bouncy asylum seeker Omar at nature/outdoor club, and the two boys stumble across an unknown wild osprey nest. Will recognises something of his mother in one of the young chicks.
When an osprey parent disappears and Whitetip falls from the nest and breaks a wing, Will steps in. Scared that his Uncle and Omar's guardian Carrie would put the bird down, he keeps it secret. He hides the bird in an abandoned shed and Omar helps bring the chick fish and care for it.
Surprisingly, it begins to heal. That is, until an infection sets in and Will tells his uncle. Bird vet Pip is called, the bird is (just) saved. The friends and local community work together to build the aviary needed to keep Whitetip close while she heals and grows.
One night during a storm, Will panics and goes to check on the cage where Whitetip is. It is toppled and empty. Will falls and hurts himself, but before mountain rescue reaches him, Whitetip stands like a guardian over him.
Will begs his uncle before he is airlifted to safety to let him live and stay with him there, rather than go live with his grandparents in Australia.
When the bird finally fledges, Will feels it. He finds her can say goodbye to the bird and his mother in that moment.

-Refugees
-Mental health and coping mechanisms
-Friendship
-Nature therapy

[Samantha Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant storyline, couldn’t stop reading! Equally as good as her other favourite of mine, No Ballet Shoes in Syria.

However, I noticed quite a few spelling mistakes etc that really should have been edited out.

[Leesdromen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book in many ways, it’s a read I will cherish and one I will be re-reading for many reasons.

🥺🦅💛

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young boy is moved from his city apartment to live with his uncle in the fells of the Lake District following the death of his mother. He is lonely and lost but finds a friend in Omar, a young refugee from Afghanistan who is grappling with his own loss and fears. Together, they explore the natural world around them and discover a rare osprey nest. When one of the chicks is injured, they secretly take it in and care for it.

This book tackles some big meaty subjects about grief, displacement, mental health, and environmental change. It doesn't water down the story. Instead, it trusts that kids deal with and can understand these complex issues. This is a book in the tradition of Charlotte's Web and A Kestrel for a Knave. It confirms to the reader that they aren't alone in feeling these feelings, that it's a part of human existence, and that they can find ways to process such experiences. Fiction is one of them.

I appreciate this story as a 40-something and would have loved it as a 10-year-old.

[Tracy Lander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness. I loved No Ballet Shoes in Syria so this was definitely one I had to beg Nosy Crow for a copy of (thanks Sîan). Was I disappointed? Absolutely not. The fact that Catherine Bruton is a teacher, and still has time to research and write books of this calibre is amazing.

Bird Boy is in fact Will. He lived with his mother, who is clearly suffering with her mental health, in a high rise flat, until the accident. When his mother dies, he meets her brother for the first time. Ian Oakley's life is far removed from Will's city home, but he has to stay here until his Grandparents in Australia can collect him. Ian lives in rural Scotland, by a lake and mountains. And Ian is not exactly talkative, although to be fair neither is Will. Will has hardly ventured outside in two years, now he has to join a Nature Club while his uncle is at work, he works for Mountain rescue.
At Nature Club Will meets Omar, a refugee from Afghanistan. Omar quickly notices Will's tapping and counting, but he isn't bothered - he says they're all different he can't keep still. Omar lives with Carrie-Ann who runs the Nature Club.
When the boys see something that can't possibly be they go up the mountain to investigate. It is an Osprey - in fact it is a pair with two chicks, and one looks straight at Will - his mother always said that everyone comes back as a bird. Will and Omar watch the, but one day the male doesn't return and the boys decide to help. Will takes it one step further when the female chick falls from the nest. He takes it back and hides it in Ian's barn. It is against teh law to touch an osprey but he couldn't leave her to die. The boys feed her, hiding her from Carrie-Ann and Ian. Until the day Will has no choice he has to ask for help....
Can Will overcome his grief? Will Omar find out about his family? Will has to go to Australia soon, how can he do this with the chick in the barn? As she grows, so does Will's confidence but can he ask Ian that question?

This book has themes of mental health, loss, grief, immigration and refugees plus the obvious need for the healing touch that nature gives when we look after it. I totally loved this and will be placing it straight into the hands of one of the year 5 girls who came to my reading group as I think she will love it. This will appeal also to all those fans of Gill Lewis's nature based books. Again, thanks to Nosy Crow for this early copy. Out 9th May, this should fly off the shelves! (sorry couldn't resist)

[Nic · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read. As soon as I finished, I started to think about how I could fit in reading it to my class! Bird Boy is definitely not an easy read but in showing the impact of trauma on children, and their potential to heal, it is an important one. Whereas the themes are tough, the prose is effortless to read.

Two children from massively different backgrounds, both dealing with huge amounts of trauma, come to live in a valley in the Lakes.

Will’s mother has recently died in an accident. She was suffering terribly with mental ill health before her accident and Will, removed from school and isolated from everyone, was in a very vulnerable and difficult position- not wanting to let his mum down but not getting his needs met.
Omar is a refugee from the conflict in Afghanistan. He made a dangerous journey to the UK and does not know the status of his loved ones.


The boys are brought together and bond over their appreciation of birds. For both boys, birds represent a connection to a happier past and to family.
Life in the valley takes a surpising turn when they happen upon a family of osprey. One of the baby birds is thrown from her nest during a storm leading the boys into a battle to keep her alive.

Parallels are drawn between the baby bird, Whitetip, in the hands of her would-be saviours and Will and Omar’s lives in the British countryside, learning to trust, learning to hope again.

When the baby bird becomes ill in their captivity, Will begins to experience flashbacks to his mum when she was critically ill in hospital- it’s at this point we learn more about the horrors he has experienced and the thoughts he is harbouring.

In Bird Boy, we see the healing potential of nature; storytelling as catharsis; and the need for consistent, patient, trustworthy adults who give children with trauma time and the tools to heal. Will’s mother’s mental ill-health is dealt with sensitively and with empathy but it is also a stark depiction of how children can become very vunerable, where a lone parent becomes seriously ill in this way. Catherine Bruton is keen to foreground stories of refugees and the story of Omar here is another brilliant counter-narrative to the newspaper headlines.
Anyone should consider the themes of the book ahead of reading or recommending to children.

[Selina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bird Boy is a book that explores the theme of trauma and healing in children. I must admit, I found the first part of the book a bit boring; it felt slow and didn’t quite draw me in. However, the second half picked up significantly and became far more engaging.

The story introduces us to two boys—Will and Omar—who come from vastly different backgrounds yet face similar struggles. Will's mother has recently died in an accident, and before that, she battled severe mental health issues. This left Will isolated from his peers and feeling vulnerable, afraid of letting his mother down, while his own needs went unmet. On the other hand, Omar is a refugee from Afghanistan, who has endured a harrowing journey to seek safety and faces uncertainty regarding the fate of his loved ones. Following Will’s mother’s death he ends up relocating and living with his uncle Ian. Uncle Ian is someone he only recently found out about. Ian lives in the wild part of the Lake District which is very different from the city tower block Will was used to.

Will and Omar bond over their mutual appreciation for birds, a symbol of their longing for a happier past and family connections. A pivotal moment occurs when they stumble upon a family of ospreys, leading them to rescue a baby bird they name Whitetip after she is thrown from her nest during a storm.

One of the most poignant scenes comes when Whitetip falls ill in their care. Will has flashbacks to his mother’s time in the hospital, revealing the depths of his trauma and the weight of the memories he's been carrying. It’s during these moments that the narrative demonstrates the parallels between the baby bird and the boys' lives—both needing care, love, and time to heal. Will does a lot of counting and tapping when he has negative thoughts about the past.

Bird Boy beautifully captures the potential for healing found in nature. The book also emphasizes the importance of having consistent, trustworthy adults who can provide the tools for children dealing with trauma. While the pacing could have been better in the beginning, the emotional weight and depth of the second half made the read worthwhile.

[Daisy May Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really appreciated what Bruton did in No Ballet Shoes in Syria so was delighted when the publisher sent me a copy of her new title, Bird Boy. The first thing to note is that this is a breathtakingly beautiful cover and one that I genuinely loved from the moment that I saw it. I'm always here for books that have their identity stamped into every inch of what they do and this is something that Nosy Crow really do very well.

Bird Boy tells the story of Will who, following the sudden death of his mother, goes to temporarily stay with his Uncle Ian in the Lakes with the intent for him to ultimately move to Australia with his grandparents. Will and Ian barely know each other and their relationship is distant at best. As Will settles into his new life in the Lakes and discovers the glories of the natural world about him, he must also come to terms with his grief and somehow, learn to live again.

There's some points of connection here to things like Kes and also, for me, people like Joyce Stranger and I think a little bit of Richard Adams as well. Bird Boy is a story of humanity and hope and aching, deep sadness at how awful the world can show such a dark side and an utter faith in the people and things who bring back the light. It's all awfully good stuff and, I felt, grounded on such a precise and acute knowledge of the issues facing young people in a variety of circumstances. Bruton is such a kind, sympathetic and genuine writer.

I cried. I found much of Bird Boy deeply moving. The ending, in particular, is a tumble of emotional chapters that just kind of wrap you in this great, overwhelming tumble of loveliness and riches.

My thanks to the publisher for a review copy.

[ellie ⋆ ˚｡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

the third of four books my english teacher gave me to read. she said this one was her favourite when she read them, so i knew i wouldn’t like it much. i was right, i didn’t.
i considered dnf-ing it at many points, but then i was 60 pages away from finishing and just wanted to see how it’d end. eeeeeehhhh
i collected quotes i could use for an essay or something here, but now i can’t be bothered! i didn’t enjoy this book enough to want to think about it for too long, sorry!!!! this book drained me

“bursts of infectious energy that lasted for days [..]. then afterwards she would crash, take her to bed, cry all day”
“on those long days in the flat when there was nothing else to do but read, and look out of the window and dream of flying out to join the winged creatures in the sky.”
“after a while, he had stopped missing friends and all the other stuff. and then as mum got more sick, more sad, it became impossible to say he wanted to go back to school, because he didn’t want to do anything that would upset her.”
“but he heard mum’s voice in his head. “you don’t know who you can trust, will. people let you down. they hurt you. it’s just you and me, will, against the world.””
“it’s you and me. whitetip and will– together against the world.”
“and he knew that had been mum’s illness talking. but it was hard not to see the world that way now too.”
“he should wait for help. that’s what he’d learned from everything that happened. that he didn’t need to do it alone. that there were people he could trust.”

[Claire Hatcher-Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

When 12 year=old Will's mum dies in a accident, he is sent far away from his high-rise home in the city, to stay in a remote Lake District village with an uncle he's never met, while he waits for a permanent home with his grandparents in Australia.

With echoes of The Secret Garden and A Kestrel for a Knave, Birdboy has the feel of a timeless classic. Perhaps what is referred to these days as a quiet book, it never feels quiet. Will's beautifully rendered story pulses with a sense of place, vivid characters and a perfectly-paced revelation of his traumatic past, as it collides with his current quest to save an injured osprey chick and nurse it (and himself) back to health.

By turns heart-rending and joyful, Catherine Bruton's deceptively simple prose provides a tender exploration of mental illness, grief and the role nature and human connection can play in recovery.

A book which will linger in my heart.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing the chance to listen to the audiobook version of this title.

[Bookgirl888 · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an emotional book!
Imagine losing your mum, thinking it's your fault, being sent to live with a relative you didn't know you had before being sent to another country to live with family you hardly know. Well, that's the start of the story for Will. He's lived with his mum for years, and she has gradually declined healthwise until it was just the 2 of them living in the flat, not seeing anyone. One day, something tragic happens, and Will has to move away to his uncle's.
Throughout the story, you find out about his life and what happened to make him move. The backstory is drip fed in, and you have to piece it all together until there's a final blowout, and he explains it all.
It's really cleverly written, and the parallels between Will, the birds, and his new friend Omar are lovely.
There are some tough themes and conversations in here, but this is a story that should be read by children, especially those who are in similar situations or know people like Will.

[Denise Forrest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous story about the uplifting power of nature.

When Will’s mum dies & he has to go & live in the country with his uncle, he thinks that life will never be the same again & he can’t forgive himself for letting his mum down.

When he meets Omar, a refugee from Afghanistan, he realises that everyone carries scars from their past.

Caring for a baby osprey changes everything for Will, as he comes to terms with his past & begins to see hope for the future.

Although I’m not generally a great fan of animal books, I loved this author’s previous book, so decided to give it a try & I’m so pleased I did. It works as both a good story in its own right but also has a powerful message about forgiveness & healing. Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Farah G · Rating 4 out of 5]

When young Will's mother dies in an accident that he blames himself for, the burden of his grief and guilt renders the boy almost dysfunctional. Waiting to travel to his paternal grandparents overseas, Will is temporarily sent to live with his mother's brother, his unknown uncle Ian.

There, he finds unexpected solace - in the wild mountainous beauty of nature, in the friendship of a young refugee from Afghanistan, and in the forbidden rescue of an osprey chick.

Bad Boy is a charming story that tackles some pretty serious themes - loss of a parent, mental health issues, refugee and asylum seekers' lives, and the challenges of nature conservation.

The author flawlessly weaves together these diverse themes into a pitch perfect narrative. This is a book everyone should read!

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[IvyZuzu · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly touching story about a young boy who tragically lost his mum unexpectedly. When eleven year old Will finds out he has lost his mum, he is overcome with grief. He has to live with his uncle and resume his daily life. Over time, he gets used to life without his mother, but he will never forget her. He adjusts to school life and makes a new friend, Omar. Will finds that he likes spending time alone around nature, like the forest. He also loves birds, and when one breaks its wing, Will immediately rushes to its aid. I personally enjoyed this touching story an I think it would be most suitable for 10 year olds and above as the story may be confronting, but the vocab and story is easy to understand.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is just stunning - a beautifully written and compelling story for younger (and older) readers themes of nature, grief, friendship and family, and love. I felt all the emotions reading this, and it took me back to my love of nature and classics such as A Kestral for a Knave, but with a much better ending. This is definitely a classic in the making, and a story with characters I adored and know I'll want to reread and lose myself in the beautiful connections between the characters and nature.

[Raheel Shaharyar · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the surface a heartwarming book about friendships, new connections and the healing power of nature. Beneath the surface so much more!! Trauma, PTSD, displacement, asylum seekers, and mental health. These themes are discussed with such beauty and grace that younger readers just take things matter of fact. A child going through any of the above things will be able to recognize themselves and find comfort in this book.

The secondary characters were flushed out really well and this author just might be a new favorite of mine!

[Alice Visser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and deeply empathetic book delving into grief, mental health and trauma. After his mother's tragic death, 11 year old Will is sent to live with a gruff uncle he has never met. He finds birds, friendships and love helping him to come to terms with his psychological scars. I cried twice. Age appropriate for Year 6+

[Sinéad O'Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely stunning, heartbreaking, uplifting, transporting novel from the brilliant Catherine Bruton. I lived every word of this! A gripping story coupled with characters you really root for, this book is just extraordinary.

[Simon Packham · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first Catherine Bruton, but definitely not my last. Beautifully drawn characters (and setting) and a subtle exploration of childhood grief. Plus it also references one of my favourite films of all time!

[Foghorn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful story of friendship, family and community.
Omar is my favourite person. Younger than Will, he has gone through the trauma of war and separation. He is resilient, funny and wise, and a great friend.

[Lydia Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the bird called Whitetip because she sounds quite cute.

[Claire Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully and tenderly written- I absolutely loved it.

[Hannah Fazakerley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional, honest and profound. Deals with issues of parental mental health and migration of birds and people. Evocative of Kes and Sky Hawk. Beautiful and touching.

[Ciara · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important book for children and adults alike.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully crafted book

The book was beautifully written for middle grade readers and over. The bird is everything to the boy and vice versa. It is a novel that warms the heart.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book for young people.
Deals with the loss of a parent, mental health, nature and friendship. In a way that isn't preaching.

[Ulrika · Rating 4 out of 5]

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