The Amazing Life of Birds: The Twenty-Day Puberty Journal of Duane Homer Leech

Tales to Tickle the Funnybone #6

by Gary Paulsen, Souther Salazar (Illustrator)

Zit monster.

Puberty Werewolf.

Potty Boy.

Doo Doo Rules!

I’m Duane. Duane Homer Leech. Don’t ask.

I’m 12. And one week. What I want to know is, where is this whole puberty thing going? So far it’s just something put on earth to destroy me.

And I don’t have a clue what’s coming next.

Genres: Realistic Fiction, Humor, Young Adult, Middle Grade, Coming Of Age, Childrens, Fiction

84 pages, Hardcover

First published June 13, 2006

About the author

Gary James Paulsen was an American writer of children's and young adult fiction, best known for coming-of-age stories about the wilderness. He was the author of more than 200 books and wrote more than 200 magazine articles and short stories, and several plays, all primarily for teenagers. He won the Margaret Edwards Award from the American Library Association in 1997 for his lifetime contribution in writing for teens.

Reviews

[Josiah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Comedy or philosophy: nearly everything Gary Paulsen has written seems sortable into one of these categories. Most of his big awards were for philosophical books (such as Hatchet, The Winter Room, or The Haymeadow), but his comedy stories are often more popular among kids, and The Amazing Life of Birds: The Twenty-Day Puberty Journal of Duane Homer Leech is definitely comedy. Normal life screeches to a halt for Duane after he turns twelve years old. Puberty hits him like a sledgehammer: pimples erupt on his formerly smooth face, he becomes mortally klutzy, and can't control his thoughts from lingering on certain areas of the female anatomy. Whenever he crosses paths with Amber Masters or Rachel Simpson, two pretty girls from school, Duane's brain ceases to form functional sentences. His best friend Willy Traverse has the same problem, but Willy's family moved a few miles away and now he attends a different school, so he isn't around to offer daily mutual support. Duane tries to adjust to the awkward early stages of puberty, but has only a vague idea how his body will change next.

Duane's rapid-onset clumsiness draws Amber and Rachel's attention for all the wrong reasons. He trips over his shoelaces multiple times per day, causing minor catastrophes at school. Teachers, cafeteria workers, and the principal can hardly believe Duane isn't doing the damage on purpose, or under the influence of drugs. His parents and elder sister Karen are exasperated with his sudden inability to control his limbs, but Duane takes solace in observing a bird family in their nest outside his bedroom window. The gangly baby bird can't even feed itself, but eventually grows into its body and learns to fly. Though it doesn't feel true at the moment, someday Duane's physical quirks will smooth out and he'll enter life's next stage. It's bound to be better than the purgatory of puberty.

The Amazing Life of Birds has an odd narrative tone. The book is like a mild version of Andrew Smith's YA novels from the 2010s, gross and gauche without much of a lesson to hold it together. The slapstick stylings remind me of Amos Binder from Gary Paulsen's Culpepper Adventures, a thirty-book series in the 1990s whose comedy went way over the top and lacked creative verve. I waited for some wisdom or poignancy to balance the lowbrow humor, but The Amazing Life of Birds offers nothing of the kind, capable as Gary Paulsen is. I doubt that many boys will identify with the book's madcap depiction of puberty; I certainly didn't. I'll rate it one and a half stars, but if you love the author's comedy novels, this one is probably up your alley. As for me, I'll take The Foxman or Woodsong over it every time.

[B-zee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sebuah jurnal dari remaja 12 tahun bernama Duane Homer Leech tentang 20 harinya menghadapi masa pubertas. Setiap hari selalu ada saja masalah yang membuatnya merasa yakin bahwa pubertas adalah kutukan, bahwa dia tak memiliki masa depan, dan bahwa segalanya tak bisa lebih buruk lagi. Namun, apa yang terjadi di hari kedua puluh, mungkin karena seekor anak burung di jendela yang menyelamatkannya.

Agak kasihan juga dengan Duane, yang tampaknya tak memiliki seorang pun yang bisa diajak berbagi dan mengerti, selain Willy kawannya yang terlalu 'cool'. Namun, beberapa hal yang rasanya cukup signifikan di sini adalah pentingnya pendampingan orang tua pada masa pubertas anak, dan pergaulan dengan teman yang bisa menunjukkan bahwa proses ini bukan hanya dia sendiri yang mengalami. Remaja itu sedang dalam masa peduli-pedulinya dengan pendapat orang tentang dirinya.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paulsen makes it look effortless to write of a young boy's rapid ascension into the awesome and terrifying swells of the hormonal tide. It cannot be so. Using humour and metaphor, he captures the essence of puberty in all it's gawky and uncertain glory - adult readers will get a kick out of reminiscing. Will teen readers also appreciate it's honesty, and take heart from the courage Duane finally musters? Most likely, and it's definitely a gem for those who have flown the nest.

[jennyreadit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my.... I love Gary Paulson for Hatchette because it gets boys to read but I love Gary Paulson for Lawn Mower Boy, Molly McGinty and now this book. Hilarious true look at puberty from Duane Homer Leech's life. I laughed out loud more than once. "Voice changing, parts of body dropping, ELBOWS everywhere,brain disengaged, motormouth in operation, leprosy in full swing-all systems in full malfunction." I think this would be a much better book to give pre-puberty boys to help them prepare for all the body changes.... much more so than one of the realistic medical versions. Duane Homer Leech is beginning puberty ANd has a family of birds on his windowsill. As the baby bird changes and grows, so does Duane. But Duane has it a lot worse than the baby bird... Duane sees "ELBOWS" in the most unusual places.. such as the rooster on the cornflakes box, seems to have become a zit zombie overnight and now, his voice is changing, not to mention clumsiness has now taken over his body as well. Duane tries to navigate his changes ANd go to school without anyone noticing his changes---too much. But that's kind of hard when you have seven bandaids on your face ( one on the tip of his nose) and smell like a "trailer trash hair salon."
Love GP's play with "birds and bees" as Duane observes the life of baby bird on his windowsill and how it grows and changes.
I agree wholeheartedly with GP's dedication... I didn't notice it so much when I was going through it, but when my children did... this brings back some memories. Kids will love this book... and connect with it.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

We read this on a whim and it was cute and a little funny but mostly it made my tween daughter who is also going through puberty (which often feels very uneven to girls) to feel better that boys also suffer during this stage in life. The comparison to the birds was also spot on. My only complaint is that it seemed to end rather abruptly.

[Colin H]

I think that this was a good book.It keep me interested and wondering what would happen next.I don’t like reading but this was a good book for ages 12-14.I picked this book because it looked interesting and it was also by Gary Paulson. I do think that it is for a little more mature people because it is about puberty and things like that.I really like how it tells the story of 2 things in the world that are going through changes.With the changes between the boy and the bird I think it is a cool twist to the story.

The book was fast paced and an easy read.I would recommend it for a school project that you need to get done fast. I am not saying wait till the last second because then you won't understand the book. When he uses the word “ELBOW” you will not understand what he is saying if you don’t actually read it.I would not really recommend this to just read it unless you want to know what happens when you hit puberty so therefore that's why I think some kids should not read it.

One of my favorite parts of the book is when he is trying to impress girls.In gym class you can show off a little if you are athletic person, well during the book it gave my clues that Daune was not the most althlitic person in the world.So when he was in gym trying to impress girls it was not good.He ended up doing something really dumb and embarrassing also in the cafatera he was getting made fun of and accentlly trip and did something you would never want to do in front of almost everyone in the school.In the begging it is slower but man when you get into the book you really get into it.

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com

As a Gary Paulsen fan, I'm always on the lookout for his latest. When I found this slim volume, I at first thought I'd share it with the sixth or seventh grade teachers in my building. But then I read it, and I'll be honest, when I find one this good, I don't share. I'm really glad I kept it to myself because my 8th-grade students loved it.

Duane Homer Leech is twelve and suffers from the onset of puberty. Here are a few tidbits to tempt you ... Duane uses the word ELBOW to distract himself when he begins visualizing women's body parts in everything he comes in contact with. The code word ELBOW is used throughout the book to avoid actually mentioning anything unacceptable. The kids thought this was great! They also could relate to the fact that Duane could never predict what his body would do next. His changing voice and the constant eruption of pimples are just a few of the images that other teens and pre-teens can relate to.

Duane compares what he is going through to a bird family that has built a nest outside his window. He notes daily changes in the appearance and development of the new baby in the nest, complete with clever little sketches.

Once again, Gary Paulsen has a hit. If you are going through the teen years now or remember anything about those days of the past, find a copy of THE AMAZING LIFE OF BIRDS. It's a real hoot!

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a great book for boys who are going through puberity, (this book is a boy book, i wouldnt reccomend it to girls) This is about a boy Duane Homer Leech, who is going through puberity and he is having a hard time with it becuase he is very clumsy, always tripping over things, and he cuts himself a big bald spot while trying to cut a cowlick off. His only hope of getting through these horrible things is the baby bird and it's family outside his window. Duane watches as this baby bird is born looking like this tiny ulgy thing with eyes, to where the baby bird grows feathers, and eventually to where the baby bird takes his first flight, almost getting eating by his neighbor's fat tomcat, Gorm. This book is set mostly at his school, but is sometimes in his house or other places. I think that the Author, Gary Paulson, did a good job of comparing Duane's life to the bird's life, like when the baby bird starts tripping and falling in his nest. Gary Paulson could have done better jod describing where Duane went to school or the place that he lived in becaise all you know about where he lives is that it is in a town and there is a school. I would recommend this book to mostly boys, because I do not think that girls will find much of an intrest in this book. Overall, I give this book three out of five stars.

[Jayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

GARY PAULSEN CATEGORY

Duane. I feel your pain. Sometimes I feel like I'm going to turn into a zit too. I'm sorry that it doesn't go away with puberty. We can be zit monsters together. The Amazing Life of Birds does exactly what the rest of the title depicts. It follows the 20 day puberty journal of Duane Homer Leech. This book was surprisingly engaging. While I've never had the experiences of a 12 year old boy going through puberty, I feel as though I have a much better idea of what that would be like after reading this book. Duane is just an awkward kid. His journal chronicles some disastrous events like putting band aids all over his face to cover up his zits (something I wish I could get away with), to dropping his lunch all over the cafeteria causing complete chaos (something I've sadly done before), to even knocking over all the shelves in the library, which I admit takes some real awkward chutzpah. What can I say, you got talent kid. While the story itself is a bit trite due to the melodramatic subject matter, Paulsen's writing style is engaging and his characters are truly relatable. I definitely recommend this book to anyone currently suffering through puberty (especially of the male persuasion) and to those who are curious about how boys experience puberty (not creepy at all).

[Arminzerella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Duane Homer Leech is going through puberty and it’s not pretty. He’s breaking out in pimples, his voice is changing, and he does something new and stupid every day. He’s starting to notice girls, but when they notice him he only manages to embarrass himself. Worst of all, he sees “ELBOWS” everywhere, where no elbows should be (that’d be code name for a part of the female anatomy). It’s shocking, but he can’t help himself. Death is starting to seem preferable to puberty when Duane makes himself known throughout the school as the guy who started the ringworm scare. His best friend, however, convinces him that it’s an opportunity to do something really cool, as he’s already in the public eye. And eventually Duane makes the most of his infamy.

Very amusing. Duane’s conversations with his best friend are just spot on “guy” communication, where a thousand things are expressed by the word “cool.” Puberty is such an awkward time and Duane’s is particularly painful – both for him and everyone else. It’s humiliating, but he manages to survive with his sense of humor intact. This is a fast read and should leave both sexes giggling uncontrollably.

[Tanja · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been on the search for a fiction book about puberty, a book that could be shared as a read-aloud with a fifth grade class of boys and girls, as they are learning about puberty, personal health and well-being. So far it seems, that the books either focus on a girl's or on a boy's perspective, never a combination of both (even Mr Terupt Falls Again is clearly favoring the girls' perspective even though the protagonists are boys and girls). There also seem to be a larger number of books from the girls' perspective, so I was happy to discover this book. It is short and funny and will definitely appeal to boys this age group. It addresses some issues related to puberty but it isn't what I am looking for. In my opinion, Duane's sudden clumsiness stands too much at the forefront, letting puberty issues like skin problems, breaking voice and an obsession with what he calls ELBOWS appear secondary. Other issues, like body odor for example, appear (for example in the sister's remarks) but are not really elaborated. So I will keep looking. Please let me know, if you have any suggestions.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! It was funny, but also real. The story follows a boy who is 12 years and one week old. He is just starting to go through puberty and it is somewhat of a nightmare for him (but he tells it in such a funny way!).

He starts to worry about how he looks to girls. He has a cowlick in the back of his head, so he decides to cut it off because hair spray won't keep it down. Right as he is cutting, his older sister yells at him, startling him into cutting a small bald spot in the back of his head. The school nurse sees him and thinks he has ringworm, so everyone in school stays away. Then he trips on his shoelaces in the lunch line and spills his luch all over the pretty new girl at school.

This book abounds with adventures like these. The protagonist, Duane, learns to cope with his new life and get through these daily struggles by talking to his best friend and by comparing himself to a growing baby bird that lives in a nest on his window sill.

I would definitely recommend this book, and I would read it again for fun.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mildly funny book about a teenager with a very unfortunate name dealing with onset puberty. I feel like it's a book that adults can look back on and laugh, but I don't know that it will really speak to boys going through it. It's not like the book is about something else and that comes up. It's his journal of embarrassing moments, zits, falling all over himself in front of girls, commiserating with his best friend, clumsiness and basic mortification over his brain and body betraying him at every turn. The bird part of the title comes from him watching a nest outside his bedroom window in which a bird couple is taking care of their new baby bird. The baby bird is going through a similar awkward phase before it learns (clumsily & desperately) how to fly. Duane can identify, so it makes for a sweet part of the story. Again, though, I think it's more of a cringe-worthy nostalgia that might make this book funny for adults, but not sure about teens. Who knows, though, maybe it would be like an Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret kind of book for boys?

[Tibby]

Poor Duane Homer Leech. Not only was he saddled with a dweeb-y name, but he just got hit with puberty. Now he sees girls body parts everywhere, zits are popping up all over his body, and he can't seem to keep from tripping. Oh, and every time he tries to talk to Amber or Rachel he either can't get a word out or he can't stop them from coming.
This was a very funny take on puberty. I picked up the book to put in a boys display in the library and blew through it in about an hour, laughing most of the way. As a girl I didn't have all the same problems, but I remember the awkwardness and the feeling that it was only me facing PUBERTY. The topic might turn off the age range of boys it's intended for, but it's so funny I hope it won't. For the right kid I would definitely recommend it.

[Kit · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not Hatchet!

OK, I know there are people who like Hatchet, but I was thrilled when I realized a couple of years ago that Gary Paulsen also writes books in which the protagonist isn't in immediate danger of freezing or starving to death. This book is slim, but it's the perfect length to chronicle the hilarious experiences of pre-teen Duane (preferred nickname: Duey; actual nickname: Doodoo). He trips; he spills stuff; his hair won't do anything he wants it to. It's a schadenfreude fest for anyone who has ever been thirteen, but Duey is a likeable character with more to him than just mishaps (his conversations with his best friend are hilarious) and the ending is hopeful, even if the resolution seems a little forced.

[Ashleync · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was hilarious. The only other book that I have read by Gary Paulsen is Hatchet which is a lot more serious than this book. Paulsen takes an awkward stage in a young mans life and pulls put the humor to lighten up such an uncomfortable subject. While i am not a boy and therefore have not been on this side of pubescence before and I think Paulsen captures the feeling of changing, fitting in, and growing up. The Amazing Life of Birds chronicles the pubescent changes of a young Duane Homer Leech in a diary, excuse me journalesq manner that keeps the reading laughing and waiting to see what awkwardness Duane will encounter next. Oh the glorious days of middle school. ELBOW!!!

[Dee Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

Duane Home Leech is a 12 year old boy entering puberty. Branded with the nickname of "Doo Doo", he encounters daily unfortunate mishaps from imagining female body parts everywhere to spilling food all over a girl he has a crush on. Paulsen takes a look at an awkward stage in every boy's life and addresses the struggles of growing up and fitting in -in a very humorous manner.

I loved this book. It was a fast-paced and engaging tale that keeps the reader entertained as we can't wait to see what comical experience Duane will face next!

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Paulsen is only slightly out of touch with the true preteen voice here, but flashes of comedic genius more than make up for that slight detraction. As readers would expect with a book of this type, irreverencies abound; however, the inappropriateness is somewhat modified by Paulsen's clever use of innocent-sounding metaphors. (ELBOW.)

[Jamie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe I'm wrong, but I can think of few 12-year old boys who would read a book with both the word "bird" and "puberty" in the title.

[Teri Pardue · Rating 4 out of 5]

So for my 2018 book reading challenge I still needed to read a book “geared towards the opposite gender”. I decided, since reading books with my daughters about puberty, to give this one a read (my son is 8 so the time is not far off).

I had a couple chuckle-out-loud moments with this, and I think it accomplishes what Paulsen was going for with a light, funny take on the changes one can expect with puberty. Clumsiness, zits, thinking about girls.

Paulsen chooses to never talk in detail about girls body parts instead choosing to insert whenever Duane, the protagonist, thinks about a girls body (because he tries to think about elbows instead). Paulsen does a great job of normalizing the struggle to not think about the things your brain is wanting to think about. Weird dreams, annoying siblings, embarrassing moments at school. There is a lot packed into this book even though it comes in under 100 pages.

I do wish we had gotten to see Duane go to an adult with his questions. I think it’s important for preteens to know that moms and dads get this stuff and communicating about it will lift a big weight off.
I also found the Ferris Bueller references outdated. The book was written in 2006, and I doubt most young boys growing up are familiar with the 80s movie.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book came to me from a friend who was cleaning out a house and just saw books and thought of me. I wanted to give this a go because Hatchet was required reading when I was in school and I hated it haha. I was curious how I'd feel about a different book by Gary Paulsen. I did enjoy this book much more than Hatchet. Granted being above the reading level helps make the book seem like less of an undertaking. While I can't personally relate to the ELBOW issue, I can appreciate Paulsen exaggerating the main character's plights as a way to show readers that their lives "aren't that bad". The story was quick and well written, and the parallel between Duane and the baby bird on his windowsill was thought through. I think this is a good story and if I knew a puberty-aged boy I would pass it along personally.

[Cheryl Bentley · Rating 4 out of 5]

With two 13-year-old grandsons, I felt I had to read it. Funny and reassuring. As they say on the Mortified podcast, "We're all freaks, we're all fragile, and we all survived." Immediately handed it to the closest 13-year-old.

[Katina stewart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and quick read. A boy hitting puberty and watching a baby bird grow up outside his window.

[Tootsie Roll Troll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book ever!

[Becky · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not exactly my type of humour...I prefer his other books.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens as a bit goes through puberty. So cute!

[Beth Cue · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay book. Moderately funny.

[Hunter Florek · Rating 5 out of 5]

dope

[Stuart Levy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gary Paulsen has two types of books: exciting adventures and funny boys. This is a great funny boy one.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Might have been more humorous for me if I was a pre-teen boy. I liked the structure (twenty-day journal).