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Wild Bird
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3:47 a.m. That's when they come for Wren Clemens. She's hustled out of her house and into a waiting car, then a plane, and then taken on a forced march into the desert. This is what happens to kids who've gone so far off the rails, their parents don't know what to do with them any more. This is wilderness therapy camp.
The Wren who arrives in the Utah desert is angry and b ...more
The Wren who arrives in the Utah desert is angry and b ...more
Advance Readers Copy, 311 pages
Published
by Knopf
(first published September 5th 2017)
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Mariah Bassett
I feel it is both JF and YA.
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30
3 1/2 stars.
There’s nothing more inspiring than following the adventures of someone who is set on turning their life around.
Technically, that’s not Wren’s decision—her parents forced her to this camp for kids with problems. And she’s not well there. Mostly, she’s hella angry at her parents for doing that to her.
Not that she didn’t deserve it. She knows it, but she doesn’t want to admit it. If she does admit it, she might just realize she hasn’t been someone who is worthy of her brother’s love la ...more
There’s nothing more inspiring than following the adventures of someone who is set on turning their life around.
Technically, that’s not Wren’s decision—her parents forced her to this camp for kids with problems. And she’s not well there. Mostly, she’s hella angry at her parents for doing that to her.
Not that she didn’t deserve it. She knows it, but she doesn’t want to admit it. If she does admit it, she might just realize she hasn’t been someone who is worthy of her brother’s love la ...more
Richie’s Picks: WILD BIRD by Wendelin Van Draanen, Random House/Alfred A. Knopf, September 2017, 320p., ISBN: 978-1-101-94044-0
“You got a lotta nerve
To say you are my friend”
-- Bob Dylan, “Positively 4th Street” (1965)
“We start near some green plants at the base of a rocky area and work our way up to a small pool of rainwater trapped in the rocks. ‘Since it’s rainwater and pretty fresh, you can just drink it,’ she tells me. ‘The water we’ll get from under the riverbed we have to filter and purif ...more
“You got a lotta nerve
To say you are my friend”
-- Bob Dylan, “Positively 4th Street” (1965)
“We start near some green plants at the base of a rocky area and work our way up to a small pool of rainwater trapped in the rocks. ‘Since it’s rainwater and pretty fresh, you can just drink it,’ she tells me. ‘The water we’ll get from under the riverbed we have to filter and purif ...more
"I'm blindfolded for what feels like an hour, jostled around on a dirt road, breathing in dust, feeling like I'm on a sketchy version of Disneyland's Raiders of the Lost Ark ride. Like in another turn we might go crashing down a mountain. Then I remind myself. We're in the desert. The flat, ugly desert."
I recently received an ARC for Wild Bird, and I spent three hours crying, laughing, cheering, tensing up, shouting, and saying WOW over and over again as I read this incredibly honest, powerful, ...more
I recently received an ARC for Wild Bird, and I spent three hours crying, laughing, cheering, tensing up, shouting, and saying WOW over and over again as I read this incredibly honest, powerful, ...more
I found this recommended on a Newbery blog about six months ago, and I have no idea why. Like Vincent and Theo, I don't see it fit the age bracket at all. My first two potential Newbery reads are therefore 0-2 (much like the Yankees this ALDS), and I'd be kinda depressed if not for Patina. (Patina is SO GREAT.)
Anyway, I found this to be overwritten (decent pacing, though!) but mostly, I found this spectacularly, insultingly unbelievable. Eight weeks?!
Anyway, I found this to be overwritten (decent pacing, though!) but mostly, I found this spectacularly, insultingly unbelievable. Eight weeks?!
Wren is 14 and is hanging out with friends who do drugs and shoplift. Her parents have tried everything and, as the book opens, she is dragged out of bed and taken to the airport to travel to a therapeutic wilderness program.
This book follows the same pattern as similar stories I'm familiar with (Wild by Cheryl Strayed, Dear Cassie by Lisa Burstein, and to a lesser degree, This is How it Happened by Paula Stokes) but I guess that's sort of the point. Wren went from closed and angry and blaming o ...more
This book follows the same pattern as similar stories I'm familiar with (Wild by Cheryl Strayed, Dear Cassie by Lisa Burstein, and to a lesser degree, This is How it Happened by Paula Stokes) but I guess that's sort of the point. Wren went from closed and angry and blaming o ...more
Made me cry! Loved it!
“Out here Mother Nature is my judge and jury, and no amount of objecting or redirecting or even being out of order will get me out of this. The only way to survive my sentence is to serve it.”
I truly, truly enjoyed this novel. Having been through extremely tough experiences with people who are very similar to Wren and her fellow "inmates," Wild Bird touched me in a much deeper way that I expected it to. Van Draanen crafts a story that delves deeply into what makes us hurt and angry, as well a ...more
This story resonated with me, broke my heart, and made me hopeful despite the knowledge that such endings are not always the case. A 14 year old girl who has dug herself into a hole of alcohol and drug abuse with the aberrant behaviors that often accompany those habits is sent to a wilderness therapy program in Utah. There she faces her truths and her perceptions of her relationships, while forging new relationships with others and the surrounding wilderness. I loved it.
Another solid read from Wendelin Van Draanen. As with The Running Dream, there's no profanity or sex in this book, which means despite the difficult subject matter (drug abuse), I wouldn't have any qualms about allowing my just-turned-thirteen-year-old to read it. Wren is a compelling character, and her journey toward maturity and recovery feels real, and yet is hopeful and inspiring.
I was really not expecting to like this book as much as I did and still do. wow. review to come
Wild Bird is a fascinating and powerful read that grips you from the first page, when the kidnapping happens. Even though Wren has her own richly detailed story, I kept identifying with her again and again - the writing in this book leads us through one genuinely eye-opening scene after another, using many moments I have never had in real life but found thrilling to experience through Wren. And though there are great, searingly insightful lessons to learn in this book, it is never preachy - Wild
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I'm about halfway through my reading of the 2020 list of Rebecca Caudill nominees and I had previously thought I had already read the eventual winner. But upon reading Wild Bird, I think I might have to re-evaluate!
Wren is a troubled teen who has gotten mixed up in drinking and drugs. When her parents have finally had enough, they send her to a desert rehabilitation camp. At first Wren is angry, very sad, and resistant to any of they help they try to give her. Only through time might it be possi ...more
Wren is a troubled teen who has gotten mixed up in drinking and drugs. When her parents have finally had enough, they send her to a desert rehabilitation camp. At first Wren is angry, very sad, and resistant to any of they help they try to give her. Only through time might it be possi ...more
The Utah desert setting was easy to visualize. Wren's high school story reminded me of a couple of students I've taught and I wonder if they were able to find an answer to "Who Am I?"
I would recommend this book to students who enjoy books about troubled teens and teen life. No suicide, no sexual abuse, but lots of anger, hatred, and blame.
I would recommend this book to students who enjoy books about troubled teens and teen life. No suicide, no sexual abuse, but lots of anger, hatred, and blame.
Super short teen book. It was pretty juvenile but I like the overall message. It reminded me a little of “Wild”, and I liked the growth she experienced. I kinda feel like all teens should go through this experience even if they aren’t “trouble” children.
💜💜💜
This book was my second tough read in a row, but this time for all the good reasons. My heart really felt for Wren and her struggles, yet it was difficult to like her for a big chunk of the book because of some of the choices she made. But she was flawed and hurting and written like a very real person.
This book is a tale of Wren's quiet transformation from an angry, spiteful, out-of-control stoner to someone who wants to turn their life around and is accountable for their actions. Though Wren ma ...more
This book is a tale of Wren's quiet transformation from an angry, spiteful, out-of-control stoner to someone who wants to turn their life around and is accountable for their actions. Though Wren ma ...more
This way a really great book, it was thrilling and I couldn't put it down!
This book touched me deeply, and I think it is an important book for teens to read. It realistically explores the importance of choices, big and small, and the consequences that come from them. The author somehow makes us care about a 14 year old girl who is completely out of control and very unlikable. But I started reading Wren's story and couldn't stop until it was over. It is a harsh, heartbreaking story of survival and redemption. Last year I read the book Connect the Stars, and was put off
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⭐⭐⭐⭐💫/5 for Wild Bird by @wendelinvan; I received this book to review for the MA YA services blog; all opinions are my own.
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It's 3 am when 14 year old Wren is yanked from her bed, taken from her family and taken to a wilderness survival program for eight weeks. She isn't too surprised--she's been smoking weed, drinking alcohol, lying, stealing and wreaking havoc on her family for a long time with the help of her "friends" Meadow and Nico. Her family has tried everything to help her, bu ...more
_*_*_*_*_*
It's 3 am when 14 year old Wren is yanked from her bed, taken from her family and taken to a wilderness survival program for eight weeks. She isn't too surprised--she's been smoking weed, drinking alcohol, lying, stealing and wreaking havoc on her family for a long time with the help of her "friends" Meadow and Nico. Her family has tried everything to help her, bu ...more
This would make an amazing HS or high middle school read as an all-read book. Wren is 14 and awoken in the middle of the night to be "kidnapped" from her home and placed in a desert survival camp. She is one angry teen and has done a lot of very bad and risky things. The reader will fight his/her own feelings as to Wren's behavior and discontent with her punishment.
My favorite part of the story is the role that storytelling plays in it. (Not lies.)
My favorite part of the story is the role that storytelling plays in it. (Not lies.)
This book is about Wren Clemens, a girl who gets in with the wrong crowd and that crowd starts influencing her in terrible ways. This book is supposed to go back and forth between when Wren was on drugs and making bad choices to when she was in a wilderness camp for troubled teens. I felt like the author didn't give enough background information about any other characters, besides Wren. There was so many characters revolving around Wren, including Meadow and Niko who partially got her into drugs
...more
#mystrangereading Wild Bird by Wendelin Van Draanen ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I loved loved loved this book. Wren goes through such an incredibly powerful journey of growth, healing and forgiveness. I love the honesty of her journey; I love the Native American influences, and I really enjoyed listening to this on @audible_com because I felt like it added to the story-telling aspect of her journey. If you enjoy realistic fiction and like stories of healing and empowerment, this read should be on your list! #bookstag
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This book was beyond amazing. I love the style of writing plus it has a heart breaking story. The character growth is remarkable and I absolutely love the ending; it made me cry tears of joy.
I definitely recommend this book and I will be reading more of this author in the near future.
I definitely recommend this book and I will be reading more of this author in the near future.
The trope of the mysterious Native American - in touch with the land, tells folksy legends and leads people on desert quests to find themselves - soured this one for me.
Wren finds herself woken early in the morning and taken from her home by a stranger - with the blessing of her parents. She is taken to the middle of the desert, where she must learn to survive the harshness of nature and deal with whatever issues have pushed her parents to send her away: drugs, alcohol, shoplifting, property damage, and more.
Wren's anger is explosive, and through a set of long flashbacks the reader learns what lead her to this point in her young life. It is easy to feel no sym ...more
Wren's anger is explosive, and through a set of long flashbacks the reader learns what lead her to this point in her young life. It is easy to feel no sym ...more
Wren's only fourteen but she's already done enough to land herself in bootcamp. She's smoking and drinking. She's stealing, keeping secrets--and even selling drugs.
She's angry and acting out. Her parents have had enough and they sign her
up for a wilderness boot camp for misbehaving teens. It's there that she discovers the root of her anger--and truly finds her self.
This was a pretty decent coming of age story--one that wasn't necessarily compelling but was fairly interesting.
Wren is fairly lika ...more
She's angry and acting out. Her parents have had enough and they sign her
up for a wilderness boot camp for misbehaving teens. It's there that she discovers the root of her anger--and truly finds her self.
This was a pretty decent coming of age story--one that wasn't necessarily compelling but was fairly interesting.
Wren is fairly lika ...more
This turned out to be a surprisingly uplifting story. Wren is a highschool student spiraling down hard and fast towards a crash landing that might be deadly. It all started small, when - lonely and unhappy in a new school - she made a single bad choice and accepted drugs (just this once!) from a new 'friend'. Fast forward three years, and Wren is still lonely and unbalanced. But now she's also addicted, shoplifting with her friend, running errands for what is essentially a teenage drug ring, and
...more
This book's gripping first chapter has 14-year-old Wren getting "kidnapped" at 3:47 a.m. (still under the influence of alcohol) and forced to fly to Utah for an eight-week therapy program in the desert wilderness with other troubled teens.
At only 14 years old, Wren has already led a wild life of drinking, stealing, smoking marijuana, and serving as a drug runner. This leads to problems at home, especially with her older sister Annabelle who is constantly acting as a narc with her parents.
She's ...more
At only 14 years old, Wren has already led a wild life of drinking, stealing, smoking marijuana, and serving as a drug runner. This leads to problems at home, especially with her older sister Annabelle who is constantly acting as a narc with her parents.
She's ...more
Author Wendelin Van Draanen has a way of creating authentic characters that are believable and identifiable. She just flat gets in the head of teens and makes her characters and writing come alive. I always feel like I know these characters personally and have been part of their lives and stories when I finish one of her books! She creates characters that are unique and yet with universal struggles. Her characters are flawed yet always show growth, albeit generally painful growth, which makes th
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You can find the full review on YAWednesdays.com.
A 3.5 rounded down to a 3. In a downward spiral and caught off guard by a family that can’t take her antics any longer, Wren is shipped to the Utah desert for an eight week wilderness therapy camp. She has a terrible attitude and tries to run away from the get go. Constantly frustrated and making excuses for herself, the story of what brought her to camp slowly unravels as she unwittingly begins to participate in the wilderness that surrounds her. ...more
A 3.5 rounded down to a 3. In a downward spiral and caught off guard by a family that can’t take her antics any longer, Wren is shipped to the Utah desert for an eight week wilderness therapy camp. She has a terrible attitude and tries to run away from the get go. Constantly frustrated and making excuses for herself, the story of what brought her to camp slowly unravels as she unwittingly begins to participate in the wilderness that surrounds her. ...more
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Wendelin Van Draanen has written more than thirty novels for young readers and teens. She is the author of the 18-book Edgar-winning Sammy Keyes series, and wrote Flipped which was named a Top 100 Children’s Novel for the 21st Century by SLJ, and became a Warner Brothers feature film with Rob Reiner directing. Her novel The Running Dream was awarded ALA’s Schneider Family Award for its portrayal o
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“... if we walk far but are angry as we journey, we travel nowhere. If we hold grudges as we scale mountains, our view remains the same.”
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