What do you think?
Rate this book
A Many Feathered Thing
Eleven-year-old Clara is known as the girl who draws, but she's not tortured enough to become a real artist. Her only suffering, besides embarrassment over her real name Clarity Kartoffel, German for Clarity Potato, is a crippling inability to speak in public.
When Clara and her oldest friend, Orion break their neighbor's glass gazing ball, Clara decides that in order to suffer like a true artist, she will do every hard thing in her path . . . starting with knocking on scary old Mr. Vogelman's door. That's when she meets Birdman. That's when she sees his swirling painting. And that's when everything changes.
To pay for the broken glass ball, Clara begins working for Birdman in his atelier. He challenges her to throw away her eraser and draw what she sees, not what she wants to see. But as Clara discovers, seeing, really seeing, is hard. Almost as difficult as befriending the new girl at school, or navigating awkward feelings for Orion or finding the courage to speak in front of the entire class.
But little does Clara know, the biggest challenges are yet to come. To cope with tragedy, she will have to do more than be brave. As Birdman teaches her, she will have to bring the hope.
When Clara and her oldest friend, Orion break their neighbor's glass gazing ball, Clara decides that in order to suffer like a true artist, she will do every hard thing in her path . . . starting with knocking on scary old Mr. Vogelman's door. That's when she meets Birdman. That's when she sees his swirling painting. And that's when everything changes.
To pay for the broken glass ball, Clara begins working for Birdman in his atelier. He challenges her to throw away her eraser and draw what she sees, not what she wants to see. But as Clara discovers, seeing, really seeing, is hard. Almost as difficult as befriending the new girl at school, or navigating awkward feelings for Orion or finding the courage to speak in front of the entire class.
But little does Clara know, the biggest challenges are yet to come. To cope with tragedy, she will have to do more than be brave. As Birdman teaches her, she will have to bring the hope.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2020
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
February 26, 2020
I would have talked about the wings. His and mine and everybody’s.In order to become tortured enough to consider herself to be a real artist Clara decides she needs to do hard things. She begins by doing the hardest thing she can imagine, talking to a stranger, Mr Vogelman, who is rumoured to collect teeth.
Knocking on Mr Vogelman’s door isn’t the only scary thing Clara needs to face. There’s a new girl in her class, her friendship with Orion (who she’s known her entire life) is changing and, possibly scariest of all, she needs to find her voice so she can deliver a presentation at school.
Drawing had saved me where my voice failed.I had planned on reading this book sooner but put it off for several weeks. From the first sentence I knew that no matter what else I found in this book, an ugly cry was certain and I wasn’t in the right head space at the time. Now I’m on the other side of my ugly cry and I can say that although there were several times where it hurt to read this book, hope was also threaded through it.
I loved Clara’s best friend, Orion. His integrity and loyalty endeared him to me and I wanted to watch him as he focused on making things and worked on his intricate knots. I liked Clara most of the time but was anxious for her to pay more attention to other peoples’ struggles and be a better friend. I’d like to spend more time with Elise, the new girl in Clara’s class, who sometimes behaved as though she was much older than eleven.
“You’ve got to have something inside you that no one can take away”Birdman, as we come to know Mr Vogelman as, teaches Clara about much more than art.
“Every effort is valuable. We must not rub out our failures. They are most important to our success.”Although I managed to catch a few glimpses of his life outside of his friendship with Clara, I would have liked to have learned more about him. He had a complexity that I wanted to be explored further.
While I understood why this was the case, Frouke’s character felt two dimensional until very near the end of the story. Even now I’m not entirely sure what her relationship was to Birdman … Housekeeper? Friend?
At its heart this is a book about friendships and having the courage to face the hard things. It’s also about finding ways to connect with people, even if it’s through failed knock-knock jokes. It’s about tying knots and unravelling them. It’s about seeing, truly seeing, by looking deeper and continuing to look even when you think you’ve understood all there is to see. It’s about hope and love.
“Love is not one shape. It is not always a red heart. Sometimes it is a tree. Or a bird. Or a bicycle bell.”I’m always drawn to books where children connect with and learn from older people. I’m especially keen when I get the opportunity to peek into the lives of the people who live in the neighbourhood’s scary house. You know the one. It’s the house that children avoid on Halloween. There are rumours about the horrors that may befall you if you wind up on the wrong side of the door. The outcasts, the recluses, the mysterious. Birdman is one of those people. I dare you not to fall in love with him.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Capstone Editions, an imprint of Capstone, for the opportunity to read this book.
March 2, 2020
Though this is not labeled an adult book, it drew me in almost immediately. And it wasn’t just the story, but the believable, unique characters. Not one or two, but all of them stood apart yet felt true to their age, and surroundings. Their relationships with each other melted my heart. And the author had a way of lacing this beautiful story. with inspirational thoughts, but at no time did the story ever feel didactic.
It is a journey of growth and understanding for all of the characters.
And for teachers who are studying Anne Frank in classrooms, consider reading this book aloud to the class. There is so much to be gained by it since the life of Anne Frank is included in this book.
I would easily recommend this to adults. In my opinion, it’s not just for 9 – 14 year-olds.
This is a story that will touch your heart in so many ways. If you are like me, the characters will remain in your thoughts long after you close the book. This is a story of growth, death, friendship, pride, anger, forgiveness, and much more.
My thanks to Capstone and NetGalley for this ARC and the ability to express my true feelings regarding this book.
What Concerned Me
Nothing at all.
What I Liked Most
I was extremely impressed with the author’s insight into each character’s actions and emotions.
Full reviews at https://pickagoodbook.com
It is a journey of growth and understanding for all of the characters.
And for teachers who are studying Anne Frank in classrooms, consider reading this book aloud to the class. There is so much to be gained by it since the life of Anne Frank is included in this book.
I would easily recommend this to adults. In my opinion, it’s not just for 9 – 14 year-olds.
This is a story that will touch your heart in so many ways. If you are like me, the characters will remain in your thoughts long after you close the book. This is a story of growth, death, friendship, pride, anger, forgiveness, and much more.
My thanks to Capstone and NetGalley for this ARC and the ability to express my true feelings regarding this book.
What Concerned Me
Nothing at all.
What I Liked Most
I was extremely impressed with the author’s insight into each character’s actions and emotions.
Full reviews at https://pickagoodbook.com
April 27, 2020
Heartwarming!
Thanks to NetGalley and Capstone for the opportunity to read and review A Many Feathered Thing by Lisa Gerlits!
This book tells a story about Clara and how she found her “voice”, gained confidence and built her self esteem. Clara continued to have ear infections when she was a baby and a toddler. When she was two, her parents realized she was having hearing problems, surgery helped with her hearing but she struggled to learn speech and lost confidence because of teasing from others and the frustration of trying to get the sounds right. Clara is reading The Diary of Anne Frank with her class at school. As she learns about Anne and her life, Clara sees parallels of Anne’s experiences and feelings in people she knows and associates with. This healing story inspired me to sketch again and that’s something I love to do but haven’t done for decades. Clara grows tremendously within the confines of this story, all because her self awareness grows and her confidence builds, thanks to the realization that she can do things, she can be brave and the faith that others have in her. Sometimes, all we need to grow is to have a chance to see outside ourselves and get a different perspective on life’s situations. A truly heartwarming story, 5 stars!
Thanks to NetGalley and Capstone for the opportunity to read and review A Many Feathered Thing by Lisa Gerlits!
This book tells a story about Clara and how she found her “voice”, gained confidence and built her self esteem. Clara continued to have ear infections when she was a baby and a toddler. When she was two, her parents realized she was having hearing problems, surgery helped with her hearing but she struggled to learn speech and lost confidence because of teasing from others and the frustration of trying to get the sounds right. Clara is reading The Diary of Anne Frank with her class at school. As she learns about Anne and her life, Clara sees parallels of Anne’s experiences and feelings in people she knows and associates with. This healing story inspired me to sketch again and that’s something I love to do but haven’t done for decades. Clara grows tremendously within the confines of this story, all because her self awareness grows and her confidence builds, thanks to the realization that she can do things, she can be brave and the faith that others have in her. Sometimes, all we need to grow is to have a chance to see outside ourselves and get a different perspective on life’s situations. A truly heartwarming story, 5 stars!
June 1, 2020
I was delighted when I was asked to blurb A Many Feathered Thing. (As a former critique partner of Lisa's, I'd read a much earlier form years ago.) After I read it, I was worried I wouldn't be able to do it justice. I still don't think I have, but you shouldn't let that keep you from reading this gorgeous book!
"Where do I begin? I loved this book. How could I not root for a character like Clarity, who decides that she will do "every hard thing" so that she can become a true artist? I loved the cast of supporting characters, but especially the curmudgeonly Mr. Vogelman who helps Clarity find her wings. I'll be returning to Gerlitz's beautiful story again and again."
And now I'm going to elaborate just a little. I loved the closely observed relationships in this story- no one was one dimensional. However, my favorite part was Clarity's growth as an artist. Lisa absolutely captures the dance between inspiration and the hard work of learning your craft. I would absolutely put this book in the hands of young artists!
"Where do I begin? I loved this book. How could I not root for a character like Clarity, who decides that she will do "every hard thing" so that she can become a true artist? I loved the cast of supporting characters, but especially the curmudgeonly Mr. Vogelman who helps Clarity find her wings. I'll be returning to Gerlitz's beautiful story again and again."
And now I'm going to elaborate just a little. I loved the closely observed relationships in this story- no one was one dimensional. However, my favorite part was Clarity's growth as an artist. Lisa absolutely captures the dance between inspiration and the hard work of learning your craft. I would absolutely put this book in the hands of young artists!
February 8, 2020
The entire time I read this book I thought of my son, the artist. I haven't come across many chapter books that describe the art process in this way.
A damaged piece of property brings two artists together. The first an elderly painter, the second an eleven year old girl who sketches. While Clarity jumps feet first into this mentorship, she starts to ignore another friendship. A friendship between her, a girl who is terrified of hearing her own voice and her friend Orion, an anxious boy who has issues with broken promises. Clarity is longing to belong and fit in but doesn't realize she already belongs and fits in somewhere.
As a reader you're privileged to witness a journey of the "girl who draws" turning into a real "tortured" artist.
If every book gives us a little something this book left me with a warm feeling, like hot chocolate on a snow day. I want to go into this book. I want to walk down Clarity's dead end street and look up at the birds in the trees. Children ages 8 - 13 will want to pick up a paintbrush or pencil by the time they finish this book.
A damaged piece of property brings two artists together. The first an elderly painter, the second an eleven year old girl who sketches. While Clarity jumps feet first into this mentorship, she starts to ignore another friendship. A friendship between her, a girl who is terrified of hearing her own voice and her friend Orion, an anxious boy who has issues with broken promises. Clarity is longing to belong and fit in but doesn't realize she already belongs and fits in somewhere.
As a reader you're privileged to witness a journey of the "girl who draws" turning into a real "tortured" artist.
If every book gives us a little something this book left me with a warm feeling, like hot chocolate on a snow day. I want to go into this book. I want to walk down Clarity's dead end street and look up at the birds in the trees. Children ages 8 - 13 will want to pick up a paintbrush or pencil by the time they finish this book.
October 17, 2019
I received a copy of this arc from NetGalley for an honest review. This book was beautifully written and difficult to put down. I story about being different, growing up and loss.
February 29, 2020
Clarity Anne Kartoffel has made up her mind to do every hard thing that it takes for her to become a real artist. The first hard thing is to knock on her neighbor, Mr. Vogelman's door after Clara's best friend Orion breaks his gazing ball. Speaking to strangers is especially difficult for Clara because she had delayed speech.
It turns out that Mr. Vogelman is a real artist, and can help Clara look at her own art in new ways. These days, she's looking at everything differently, including Orion and Elise, the new girl at school. Clara struggles with trying to be the person she believes she should be, not just the person she already is.
This book perfectly captures the time in life when the greatest challenges are speaking in front of the class, holding on to old friends, making new ones, and most of all, figuring out who you are and staying true to that. The reader feels Clarity's anxiety as she worries about each of these problems. Her experiences never feel trivial, because in middle school, these are the big things.
This is a great book for middle grade, especially kids who may feel insecure about themselves. It addresses issues of speech and language delays, introversion, and trust. The characters each grow and overcome problems that may at first seem small, but really are the big things that make up life.
It turns out that Mr. Vogelman is a real artist, and can help Clara look at her own art in new ways. These days, she's looking at everything differently, including Orion and Elise, the new girl at school. Clara struggles with trying to be the person she believes she should be, not just the person she already is.
This book perfectly captures the time in life when the greatest challenges are speaking in front of the class, holding on to old friends, making new ones, and most of all, figuring out who you are and staying true to that. The reader feels Clarity's anxiety as she worries about each of these problems. Her experiences never feel trivial, because in middle school, these are the big things.
This is a great book for middle grade, especially kids who may feel insecure about themselves. It addresses issues of speech and language delays, introversion, and trust. The characters each grow and overcome problems that may at first seem small, but really are the big things that make up life.
September 29, 2025
This is my second book by Lisa Gerlits in two weeks, following the just released, "Rewilding." "A Many Feathered Thing" is a book about seeing and knowing, and grief and friendship, and shadow and light. It is about childhood and its cusp, and a connection to Nature and each other, and art and creation. I loved it.
In my dreams, an illustrated version of this book is published that blows us all away. Hannah Salyer would be the artist.* Barring that, an audiobook would also be appreciated. I would gladly listen to it as a reread.
Update: I just saw in the author's bio that she is, "muralist and children's art teacher," so of course it should be her.
As you have by now gathered from this glowing review, I look forward to reading all of Ms. Gerlits' past and forthcoming reads with anticipation. (The next will be "Rewilding's" audiobook, which comes out in a few weeks.)
Companion Reads - Well paired with:
- Brenda Woods', "With Just One Wing" (chapter book, middle grades)
- Paul Fleischman and Hannah Salyer's, "The Class with Wings" (picture book)
- Sara Lundberg and BJ Epstein's, "The Bird in Me Flies" (picture book)
- Jennifer Longo's, "What I Carry," which was a beautiful book and one of my favorites last year of the 202 read. Both books feature a core relationship between a child/teen and a wise teacher (chapter book, YA)
In my dreams, an illustrated version of this book is published that blows us all away. Hannah Salyer would be the artist.* Barring that, an audiobook would also be appreciated. I would gladly listen to it as a reread.
Update: I just saw in the author's bio that she is, "muralist and children's art teacher," so of course it should be her.
As you have by now gathered from this glowing review, I look forward to reading all of Ms. Gerlits' past and forthcoming reads with anticipation. (The next will be "Rewilding's" audiobook, which comes out in a few weeks.)
Companion Reads - Well paired with:
- Brenda Woods', "With Just One Wing" (chapter book, middle grades)
- Paul Fleischman and Hannah Salyer's, "The Class with Wings" (picture book)
- Sara Lundberg and BJ Epstein's, "The Bird in Me Flies" (picture book)
- Jennifer Longo's, "What I Carry," which was a beautiful book and one of my favorites last year of the 202 read. Both books feature a core relationship between a child/teen and a wise teacher (chapter book, YA)
December 26, 2019
This was such a heartwarming read for me. I loved every bit of it. It was the best book I read this month. From the cover, this book had caught my eye, it was unique, it was different. When I started with the book, it told the story of this girl Clarity Anne Karoffel. She sufferred from a delayed speech and was made fun of by her peers. She had very few people to confide in, Joselyn his elder sister was her first best friend, but with time she grew apart.
She then met Orion, her neighbor and her childhood friend, with whom she shared even comfortable silences, he understood her silences and she understood his knots. While playing, Orion made the ball hit Mr. Vogelman's window.
This hitting the window was a mistake by Orion but it opened doors for Clarity when she found out Vogelman was an artist. For Clarity, since words didn't come easy, she channeled her feelings through art. And there, developed a new friendship with Vogelman, her birdman who guided her with art.
Its a beautiful story about how Clarity grows and evolves, how she learns to express herself and how she learns art.
Will totally recommend this to anyone or everyone who wants to read a beautiful story of innocence, friendships, and self discovery.
She then met Orion, her neighbor and her childhood friend, with whom she shared even comfortable silences, he understood her silences and she understood his knots. While playing, Orion made the ball hit Mr. Vogelman's window.
This hitting the window was a mistake by Orion but it opened doors for Clarity when she found out Vogelman was an artist. For Clarity, since words didn't come easy, she channeled her feelings through art. And there, developed a new friendship with Vogelman, her birdman who guided her with art.
Its a beautiful story about how Clarity grows and evolves, how she learns to express herself and how she learns art.
Will totally recommend this to anyone or everyone who wants to read a beautiful story of innocence, friendships, and self discovery.
September 16, 2025
This is an excellent middle-grade novel by Lisa Gerlits. I was completely transported into the life of the main character. I was also drawn towards the character development of Mr. Vogelman, that mysterious neighbor who has quiet depth and hidden stories to tell. I loved the message of this book to try our best to see into the essence of things, instead of only trying to draw what we physically see. I appreciate the notion that seeing is an ongoing, lifelong process and that we can never completely understand someone or something. I also greatly appreciate the Dutch word Zwijgen mentioned in this book that means a living, compassionate silence-a silence that is active and full of life. This is a middle-grade novel, but contains important messages for us all. I highly recommend this book.
Reviewed by Jacob D. Salzer, author of Sea Wind: Haiku (Lulu, 2025), My First Trip to Japan (Lulu, 2025), A Lost Prophet: Haiku & Tanka (Brooks Books, 2024), and Unplugged- Haiku & Tanka (Lulu, 2022)
Reviewed by Jacob D. Salzer, author of Sea Wind: Haiku (Lulu, 2025), My First Trip to Japan (Lulu, 2025), A Lost Prophet: Haiku & Tanka (Brooks Books, 2024), and Unplugged- Haiku & Tanka (Lulu, 2022)
February 11, 2021
I normally only post reviews of the adult, personal books that I read but once in a great while I read a children's or YA novel that takes my breath away and I just have to review. As an elementary librarian I read hordes of books, some good and some bad. (Probably more of the latter.) However, this book stands out from the crowd. A Many Feathered Thing by Ms. Gerlits moved me deeply. I could not put it down, which caused no end to the chaos from my students who wanted to know about it. I explained how beautiful this book was, of the superb character development, the heart wrenching (yet also affirming) emotions it created within me...and so much more! My heart is full from this book. I'm emotionally speechless! We (some school libraries) have so little money that each and every purchase is precious and we have to be so careful in our selections. I am so glad that I took a chance on purchasing this book! I am considering purchasing my own, personal copy.
Read
September 8, 2022I guess this would be a coming of age book --not really children's and not really young adult. This novel is about Clarity Kartouffel (german for potato) and her family, friends and "Birdman" --Mr. Vogelman the scary neighbor who turns out to be an artist who initiates Clarity into the mysteries of drawing and seeing things as an artist. There are some sweet messages in this book: the importance of family, of being a good friend, overcoming personal fears. The book flows pretty well although we do begin to wonder if Clarity will ever catch some luck and just be able to enjoy herself and all she has learned... without some trial or minor trajedy unfolding. Anyway, I liked the book for its message(s) and think it would resonate with youngsters of the 10-11-12 year age range, or anyone fond of remembering that age. Well done, Lisa.
January 29, 2022
5 * because it's unique and complex and wonderful. It's not a book for every kid, but thoughtful introverted "misfits" would probably love it.
It's about a kid who experienced childhood trauma which made her fearful of speaking out in class. She has a good friend (also a misfit tween), and then they both make a new friend who is more "normal," and who helps her come out of her shell.
There is an important subplot that involves her meeting an old, seemingly scary, neighbor who is an artist and who works with her on her own art.
The beauty of the story for me is that she discovers that he is not scary, and he teaches her to be a true artist.
I'm not doing the book justice here. It's complex and thoughtful and well written. A very good read.
It's about a kid who experienced childhood trauma which made her fearful of speaking out in class. She has a good friend (also a misfit tween), and then they both make a new friend who is more "normal," and who helps her come out of her shell.
There is an important subplot that involves her meeting an old, seemingly scary, neighbor who is an artist and who works with her on her own art.
The beauty of the story for me is that she discovers that he is not scary, and he teaches her to be a true artist.
I'm not doing the book justice here. It's complex and thoughtful and well written. A very good read.
September 30, 2023
“That’s when I saw the painting hanging above the sofa. That’s when everything changed…I’d never seen anything like it…It made me feel small, like when I looked at the stars, but also powerful, like stardust was swirling down to me.”
This book made me cry the first chapter. It put me straight back to being a child and being afraid to speak, afraid to do hard scary things, afraid to be punished for mistakes. And then it curled itself around my little heart, and lifted me up and said “you did this already, you did the hard part and grew. You made the mistakes and you didn’t fail by making them. It’s ok.” This is a really healing thing to give a person through words. Would recommend to anyone, would read again and again.
This book made me cry the first chapter. It put me straight back to being a child and being afraid to speak, afraid to do hard scary things, afraid to be punished for mistakes. And then it curled itself around my little heart, and lifted me up and said “you did this already, you did the hard part and grew. You made the mistakes and you didn’t fail by making them. It’s ok.” This is a really healing thing to give a person through words. Would recommend to anyone, would read again and again.
February 16, 2020
I fell so in love with this book that I read it cover to cover! It is a book about friendship, accepting the differences in people, growing up, being brave when you don't feel brave, finding your way and your voice, and learning that sometimes, life can be pretty complicated.
Utterly charming, this book has it all - a good plot, realistic characters, and true to life situations. It is a joy to read. Written for the 9 - 14 age group, I highly recommend it to people of all ages!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Capstone for allowing me to read a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All opinions expressed here are my own.
Utterly charming, this book has it all - a good plot, realistic characters, and true to life situations. It is a joy to read. Written for the 9 - 14 age group, I highly recommend it to people of all ages!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Capstone for allowing me to read a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All opinions expressed here are my own.
April 13, 2023
Clarity Kartoffel didn't learn to speak at the same time as the other kids, and now in late elementary school, she's still struggling to make herself understood. But Clare isn't about to give up and instead decides to try doing every hard thing, including apologizing for breaking her crabby neighbor's lawn ornament. This leads to an unexpected friendship, but it jeopardizes the relationship she has with her friends at school. Clare's name might be Clarity, but it's not always obvious what she should do next.
This book entirely lives up to its title. I feel it in my soul.
This book entirely lives up to its title. I feel it in my soul.
June 22, 2020
What a wonderful book about perseverance, hope, friendship, and coming of age. A young girl with a history of severe speech delays, learns to express herself through art ; “pictures were a language everyone understood.”.
She meets Birdman, an ailing artist, who teaches her to really see the world and that “we all had the same feathers. We belonged to the same tree.”
She meets Birdman, an ailing artist, who teaches her to really see the world and that “we all had the same feathers. We belonged to the same tree.”
January 17, 2023
Love love love this precious story. Lisa Gerlits tells a wonderful story of eleven year old Clara. Clara is relatable, she does hard things, and she grows. I especially loved Clara’s voice. The imagery throughout kept my heart soaring. I absolutely recommend this book, and hope many young readers get the chance to meet this budding artist!
February 23, 2023
This is a story about a young girl who dreams of becoming an artist. Through an accident, she meets a mysterious neighbor who turns out to be a professional artist. The protagonist had a history of ear infections and slow speech development. Her difficulty communicating made it difficult for her to do well in school and art was an accessible outlet for her.
March 1, 2020
A wonderfully written book! Even though it was written for middle grade, it is a great book for adults and all ages. It has believable and unique characters and when I started reading I couldn't stop, so I read it straight through. I highly recommend it.
March 26, 2020
Wonderfully written and inspiring book, I couldn't put it down! The characters draw you in as they venture through the challenges of friendship, loss and facing every hard thing. Excellent and easy read for all ages and anyone looking to laugh, cry a bit and warm their heart.
May 21, 2021
This book had absolutely no business leaving me SOBBING at 8am!!
Just honestly so touching and really encapsulates just how big and confusing pre-teen emotions are. The descriptions in this book were beautiful.
Just honestly so touching and really encapsulates just how big and confusing pre-teen emotions are. The descriptions in this book were beautiful.
December 22, 2021
This book made me laugh, cry, smile, stay up way too late hoping things all worked out well, and wish I didn't have to leave these people in this place. I love every one of the main characters so much. Beautiful!!
January 28, 2020
Thank you NetGalley and Capstone for this digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
Description
Eleven-year-old Clara is known as the "girl who draws," but she's not tortured enough to become a real artist. Her only suffering, besides embarrassment over her real name Clarity Kartoffel, German for Clarity Potato is a crippling inability to speak in public. When Clara and her oldest friend, Orion break their neighbor's glass gazing ball, Clara decides that in order to suffer like a true artist, she will do every hard thing in her path . . . starting with knocking on scary old Mr. Vogelman's door. That's when she meets "Birdman." That’s when she sees his swirling painting. And that's when everything changes. To pay for the broken glass ball, Clara begins working for Birdman in his atelier. He challenges her to throw away her eraser and draw what she sees, not what she wants to see. But as Clara discovers, seeing, really seeing is hard. Almost as difficult as befriending the new girl at school, or navigating awkward feelings for Orion or finding the courage to speak in front of the entire class. But little does Clara know, the biggest challenges are yet to come. To cope with tragedy, she will have to do more than be brave. As Birdman teaches her, she will have to "bring the hope."
Beautifully written, captivating. Was hard to put this book down. Watching her self discovery and creativity with art was lovely.
Description
Eleven-year-old Clara is known as the "girl who draws," but she's not tortured enough to become a real artist. Her only suffering, besides embarrassment over her real name Clarity Kartoffel, German for Clarity Potato is a crippling inability to speak in public. When Clara and her oldest friend, Orion break their neighbor's glass gazing ball, Clara decides that in order to suffer like a true artist, she will do every hard thing in her path . . . starting with knocking on scary old Mr. Vogelman's door. That's when she meets "Birdman." That’s when she sees his swirling painting. And that's when everything changes. To pay for the broken glass ball, Clara begins working for Birdman in his atelier. He challenges her to throw away her eraser and draw what she sees, not what she wants to see. But as Clara discovers, seeing, really seeing is hard. Almost as difficult as befriending the new girl at school, or navigating awkward feelings for Orion or finding the courage to speak in front of the entire class. But little does Clara know, the biggest challenges are yet to come. To cope with tragedy, she will have to do more than be brave. As Birdman teaches her, she will have to "bring the hope."
Beautifully written, captivating. Was hard to put this book down. Watching her self discovery and creativity with art was lovely.
March 4, 2020
This lovely book made me both laugh and cry. I cannot wait to share it with my daughter.
August 24, 2020
My friend Lisa Gerlits's middle-grade novel about a troubled kid resonates on many beautiful levels.
October 5, 2020
Beautiful, and reads faster than it looks. Something to be aware about is that it has cancer, so if you don’t like sad books maybe don’t read it. Otherwise, amazing. 12+
February 4, 2021
4 stars for this one
January 10, 2022
I had to make myself read it.
January 27, 2022
Such a thoughtful book. I absolutely loved it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews