Songbird

by Nancy Lohr, Johanna Berg (Illustrator)

When his father is imprisoned and faces death for maiming in a foundry accident, Truxton proves his love for his parent whose fate is in God's hands.

Genres: Historical, Childrens, Christian, Historical Fiction

Hardcover

Published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really sweet story! A lot more interesting than I expected. I'd still say this is geared more for younger readers, but while the style of writing was simple I still liked it. The setting was written well and I liked the main character :)

[Carin Hickey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and simple. A quick read for kids who wish to know what life was like for the middle class in colonial Virginia.

[Alicia Ruggieri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book on a whim, so to speak, and it pleased me to find it overall wholesome and engaging with a solid lesson on the potential serious consequences of lacking self-control with your temper.

Truxton’s love for birds drew me right into the story. The author wove the historical context into the plot very well, and I found myself learning about silversmithing and pewter-smithing, as Truxton’s father works that trade.

The spiritual theme of trusting in the Lord to rescue us from our difficulties, while also admitting that we may have to bear the consequences of our own actions, regardless of our sorrow over it, came through very well.

I was a little disappointed that the “songbird” theme didn’t end up having much to do with the moving-things-forward plot in the end; I don’t want to say more because of spoilers 🙂 ~ but that let me down a bit. The story did redeem itself with a surprise ending ~ one that might need to be explained to younger children especially.

Parents may also want to be aware that Truxton has a cheeky older brother who occasionally puts down others, without much reproof from his parents. The brother sees Truxton’s “worth” in the end, but I would have liked to see the situation dealt with by the parents.

Overall, however, I would definitely recommend Songbird to children ages 9-12 (with a little give on either side of that spectrum) who are learning about the American colonial era.

[Kara Kuehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be honest, I did not expect to like this book as much as I did! Multiple times throughout this book, my jaw was on the floor in shock of the events in the book. This is just a small attestation to the impeccable writing and excellent storytelling!

I absolutely love Truxton’s mother and the incredible fairy and hope she kept throughout the entire book. However, I wish she would have showed more emotion. It is not sinful to be sorrowful as long as it does not become in the place of God. I think the book would have been stronger with more emotion combined with her amazing faith.

Things to be aware of in “Songbird”

Violence:
- A character is burned and another character is branded.

Read my full review here: https://kbook-reviews.blogspot.com/20...

[Christine Stobbe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Songbird is a very short children's novel set in the pre-revolutionary colony of Williamsburg that portrays middle-class life and the workings of a family-run pewter foundry. The story is well-researched and well-written. I felt that the book started slowly, but it got interesting by chapter four, and by chapter eight, I could see how everything included in the beginning tied cleverly into the plot. Overall, this book is an enjoyable read and offers a valuable lesson in using one's talents in the places and circumstances where one finds oneself.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this aloud to my son as part of Heart if Dakota’s Revival to Revolution homeschool set. This is a very short, easy read. The author clearly researched well, as the setting and plot feel authentic. We enjoyed getting a peek into the culture of colonial Williamsburg from a positive Christian perspective.

[Svetti · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was ok I hardly remember anything in this book because I read it for school.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was always one of my favourites.

[Cristine Braddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son and I read this together. I really enjoyed this sweet story about a boy trying to save his father.