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A Bird, a Girl, and a Rescue

(The Rwendigo Tales #2)

J.A. Myhre (Goodreads Author)

4.28 · Rating details · 61 ratings · 17 reviews

Eleven-year-old Kiisa had no idea why her parents would send her away to boarding school. She wondered why they couldn t all stay together in their beautiful African valley home. But no matter what she said they were firm: she must go, and she must go to this school.

As she said a tearful goodbye to her father, he whispered, For such a time as this. . . . Remember that phra ...more

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Paperback, 133 pages

Published September 13th 2016 by New Growth Press

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Oct 15, 2016 Bluerose's Heart rated it it was amazing

Several months ago, I read and loved A Chameleon, a Boy, and a Quest. I was greatly looking forward to A Bird, a Girl, and a Rescue, and I wasn't disappointed. I'm also excited to read the final two books in the series. There's no worries about cliff hangers. Each story has an ending(so far), but there are connections. I would recommend reading the first book before picking up this one. The leading lady in this story is the sister of the leading guy in the first one. They are separate stories, b Several months ago, I read and loved A Chameleon, a Boy, and a Quest. I was greatly looking forward to A Bird, a Girl, and a Rescue, and I wasn't disappointed. I'm also excited to read the final two books in the series. There's no worries about cliff hangers. Each story has an ending(so far), but there are connections. I would recommend reading the first book before picking up this one. The leading lady in this story is the sister of the leading guy in the first one. They are separate stories, but there are connections that will be better understood with knowing the first story.

I especially like the fact that a mother wrote these books for her children. For 4 years, a new story was given to them at Christmas, and that makes these books more special to me. The lessons hidden in the story and the story itself are things that this mother wanted her children to tuck away inside their minds. I just love that!

I enjoyed the details of life in Africa. The first one had a focus more on home life, but this one is more on school life, though both move away from home and school during part of the stories. Giving my children books that open their own worlds to the worlds of others that live very different lifestyles has become more and more important to me as they've gotten older. This series has proven to be excellent choices so far. There are also animals from the area discussed, which will most likely promote a little extra interest led learning. Aside from life in Africa, there are things within the book that children anywhere can appreciate. Courage and dealing with the mean folks in life are a couple of things included in the story.

Overall, I've greatly enjoyed this series so far. It's a pleasure to tuck these lovely stories away on our shelf for my boys! As a side note, I've also loved the beautiful covers, and I'm thrilled that they go together so nicely! It's always even more pleasurable to add beautiful stories to our shelves when they have beautiful covers.

*I was given a free copy of this book. ...more

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Oct 10, 2018 Rebecca rated it really liked it

"My name is Njili, because I am one of the Messengers, though a small one. I have been sent to assist you with the Rescue."

With the Rescue?

Eleven year old Kiisa supposes that the little wagtail will eventually give her more details; in the meantime, she is struggling mightily to adjust to life in a boarding school, for she would much rather be at home with her parents. When circumstances do indeed turn ugly, and lives are at risk, just how courageous can a girl and her bird become?

Enjoy this s ...more

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Oct 05, 2016 Chrys Jones rated it really liked it

The folks at New Growth Press have been really impressive lately with their new books for adults, so it was with great joy and delight that I got to read "A Bird, a Girl, and a Rescue" by Dr. J.A. Myhre. This book is the second in a series called "The Rwendigo Tales". After reading this action-packed story, I look forward to reading Myhre's first book in the series called "A Chameleon, a Boy, and a Quest". "A Bird, a Girl, and a Rescue" is a thrilling book that will take children (and their pare The folks at New Growth Press have been really impressive lately with their new books for adults, so it was with great joy and delight that I got to read "A Bird, a Girl, and a Rescue" by Dr. J.A. Myhre. This book is the second in a series called "The Rwendigo Tales". After reading this action-packed story, I look forward to reading Myhre's first book in the series called "A Chameleon, a Boy, and a Quest". "A Bird, a Girl, and a Rescue" is a thrilling book that will take children (and their parents) on a wild, gospel-laden rescue mission deep in the wilderness of the Rwendigo Mountain range in Africa.

Kiisa, the story's main character, is a young girl with a grandiose task at hand. As she navigates the challenges of moving away from home, making new friends, dealing with bullies, and battling her struggles with school, Kiisa finds out that she did not end up at the school by accident. Her father's parting words, “For such a time as this" would mean much more to her in a few short weeks after her first day at school. She and her bird, Njili, would find themselves on a rescue mission which would be a monumental task for any adult, and yet she is only 11 years old. Her bravery, wit, and resilience make Kiisa an admirable young lady, but she exhibits even deeper and more exemplary character traits as the story moves along.

"A Bird, a Girl, and a Rescue" carries with it numerous aspects of the Christian life and the Gospel. Elements such as selflessness, sacrifice, forgiveness, and mercy pervade this entire story. Discussions about messengers from "the people of the wounded heel” who will “crush the enemy Abbadon ( a cobra)", and the other helpers who sometimes take mortal form to fight the Enemy give children some biblical context clues to remind them of biblical themes. Myhre does an excellent job of weaving biblical theme in and out of the unfolding drama, and these themes will provide excellent teaching points for parents and children as they read through this story together.

This story has some realistic themes which will be important for shaping the worldview of its readers. There are discussions of deforestation and the environmental impacts of illegal logging. The brutal reality of child kidnapping enters the story as African rebels attempt to steal girls known by Kiisa. "A Bird, a Girl, and a Rescue" presents the truly fearful situation many African children find themselves in on a daily basis. For some, this may be considered too intense or unnecessary for a children’s book, but Myhre felt that it was important for these realities to be portrayed in her writing, and I am thankful that she did. As 21st century Americans, our children need to see that all of the world isn’t like the United States. They need to see the injustices that take place around the globe and develop a biblical worldview which seeks to bring the gospel and justice to children like Kiisa and her friends.

"A Bird, a Girl, and a Rescue" was written first and foremost to J.A. Myhre's own children as a Christmas present. This makes her writing personal and deeply impactful. Myhre is telling the story which became her reality as she moved to Africa to help children, and she does an excellent job of taking that story to the world. Myhre truly lives to help children like Kiisa as she gives away half of the royalties of this book toward a fund to help orphans in Africa rise above the life circumstances to rewrite the stories of their lives.

I received a free copy of this book and willingly wrote a review for Cross Focused Reviews. ...more

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Oct 16, 2016 James Korsmo rated it it was amazing

In this captivating novel, Kiisa, an eleven-year-old girl, finds herself in boarding school. The transition is a difficult one for her, but it is also filled with wonder, as she discovers a talking bird in her trunk among her things. This Messenger, Njili, relays news from home but also hints of a "rescue," and of interesting events to come.

Kiisa learns to navigate the new world of the school and begins coming into her own as a young woman, but events are turned upside down when rebels attack. ...more

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Jun 24, 2019 Lara Lleverino rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-2017

Great story that further reveals a culture not often written about in English. Great story that has a strong female lead who has to be brave and step out of her comfort zone. Also a great story that shows compassion for a bully.

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Jul 10, 2017 Katelyn Bolds rated it it was amazing

Very fast read for YA, but the themes present definitely make it ages 12 and up. Excellent international literature and highly recommend for introducing diverse cultural ideas to younger readers. Well written and vibrant story telling.

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Sep 04, 2017 Joel rated it it was amazing

Lovely tale in a magical setting.

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May 28, 2019 Dustin rated it liked it

Shelves: children-s-books, christian-family, read-aloud-chapter-book

I thought the first book was a little better, but we enjoyed this one too.

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Oct 11, 2016 David Steele rated it liked it

Shelves: fiction

Fiction is a creative way to convey truth and spark the imagination. This genre is especially helpful with young readers who are impressed with a good story and intrigued by interesting characters. J.A. Myhre captures the imagination of young readers in her novel, A Bird, a Girl, and a Rescue.

Myhre's work takes young readers to the African jungle where a school-aged girl is dropped off by her father for a season of education. The lead character, Kiisa is met by new friends and is challenged by f ...more

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Oct 12, 2016 Aaron rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2016, fiction, publisher-review

I don't usually review fiction. It isn't that I don't enjoy it, but there is so little written today that I would consider to be good fiction. A Bird, A Girl, and a Rescue by J.A. Myhre is an exception. When I first received this book in the mail I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy it. That changed after the first few pages. Myhre is an engaging author and she has a way of drawing the reader into the story as all good authors do. A Bird, A Girl, and a Rescue is a story about an eleven year old I don't usually review fiction. It isn't that I don't enjoy it, but there is so little written today that I would consider to be good fiction. A Bird, A Girl, and a Rescue by J.A. Myhre is an exception. When I first received this book in the mail I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy it. That changed after the first few pages. Myhre is an engaging author and she has a way of drawing the reader into the story as all good authors do. A Bird, A Girl, and a Rescue is a story about an eleven year old African girl Kiisa who is sent away to boarding school om East Africa. As she adjusts to being away from her father for the first time and living in a dormitory, she is faced with many life altering and character building challenges.

There are many things that impressed me about this book that go well beyond the engaging storyline. Too many books today depict an estranged relationship between parent and child and in this book, we get to see the refreshing perspective of a strong parent/child relationship. The importance of this should not be underestimated. All too often the sassy child and clueless father are depicted as the norm. In this book, we see the effects of a redeemed relationship; a relationship built on love and respect. This is praiseworthy. Secondly, we get to actually see the dynamic characterization of Kiisa as she grows in her sanctification.Lastly, this book contains gospel goodness through and through. Sadly, this is rare even in Christian books.

A Bird, A Girl, and a Rescue is a book that children will enjoy reading and one which parents should rush to read to their children. There are many teachable moments and the storyline (based on events which happen to real people) will encourage your children to take an interest in atrocities which are foreign to their experience, but a stark reality in many places around the world. This was a wonderful book and I can't wait to reads it to my children.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from New Growth Press in exchange for an online review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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Oct 23, 2016 Hannah Christmas rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: Young readers ages 8-14

Shelves: 2016, books-i-own, children-s-books, christianity, fantasy, fast-reads, less-than-300-pages

As an adult, I enjoyed this book very much. I can imagine that I would have enjoyed it 10-15 years ago just as much. There are not a lot of books out there for children to read about something so different and interesting as an African girl going to boarding school in an underprivileged area with the threat of violent rebels nearby. But to also include fantastical features such as talking animals who appear as messengers to offer help in times of trouble makes this short novel what it is - a gam ...more

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Oct 03, 2016 Jalynn Patterson rated it it was amazing

About the Book:

Eleven-year-old Kiisa had no idea why her father and mother would send her to boarding school in a remote village. She wondered why they couldn't all stay together in their beautiful valley home. But no matter what she said they were firm. She must go to school, and not any school, this particular boarding school.

My Review:

Kiisa's first time away from home and it proves not to seem like it will be for fun. She gets the chance to stay in a boarding school and see what it's like to ...more

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Oct 06, 2016 Jimmy Reagan rated it it was amazing

Here’s a children’s book that will be loved in any Christian home. The plot is set in Africa and has the unique thrills of that continent. The author, J. A. Myhre, is a doctor in Africa. Her 20 years in Africa makes her able to visualize accurately situations there. The stories here began as stories for her own children and it’s a blessing that they are available for children everywhere.

The story transports us to the life of an amazing girl named Kiisa. She is dropped by her father at a school w ...more

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Oct 05, 2016 Oak rated it it was amazing

A Bird, a Girl, and a Rescue by J. A. Myhre is a middle grade fiction novel, which focuses on Kiisa, a clever and courageous 11-year-old girl. The story is set against an enchanting African backdrop.

Summary: When Kiisa is sent to boarding school, little does she know the adventure that awaits her. After opening a trunk her father gave her, Kiisa finds a magical wagtail bird named Njili…and together, Kiisa and Njili end up on a rescue mission involving African rebels, stolen girls, illegal loggin ...more

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Nov 08, 2016 Sydney rated it it was amazing

When I first found out about A Bird, a Girl, and a Rescue, I was super excited. J.A. Myhre’s A Chameleon, a Boy, and a Quest was such a fun book and I was thrilled about the sequal. Myhre’s story of a young African girl comes to life from page one. This exciting and fun fantasy, adventure story is one that children will absolutely enjoy. Not only is it a enjoyable read, it shares some of Africa with those that have never been there. I would recommend this story to children that enjoy fantasy and ...more

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