The House of Wings

by Betsy Byars

Left with his grandfather until his parents are settled in Detroit, Sammy learns to respect and love the old man as they care for an injured crane together.

Genres: Fiction

144 pages, Paperback

First published March 27, 1972

About the author

Betsy Byars was an American author of children's books. She wrote over sixty books for young people. Her first novel was published in 1962. Her novel Summer of the Swans won the 1971 Newbery Medal. She also received a National Book Award for Young People's Literature for The Night Swimmers and an Edgar Award for Wanted ... Mud Blossom!!

Daughters Betsy Duffey and Laurie Myers are also writers.

Reviews

[Spider the Doof Warrior · Rating 4 out of 5]

I still like this book, but again, I didn't notice how TERRIBLE Sammy's parents were when I was a kid. What kind of parents let their kid run around wild and dirty? Then they dump him on his grandfather who lives in a house that is going to be mine in the future. Only not only will it have birds, it will also have spiders and I'll have to keep the birds from eating the spiders.

But, as far as they know, he could be senile or something. They just left him to deal with their wild behind child. Who doesn't need to be hit, but he does need to have people tell him to TAKE A BATH!

How they can have 9 kids and then just get lazy with the last one is a mystery to me. They suck.

But, the book isn't about them, it's about how Sammy and his grandfather find a crane. The fact that they care for it brings them together.

[Jacqueline · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book by accident, thinking it was a different story. I was pleasantly surprised to find I actually enjoyed the story. While I found Sammy to be kind of a pain, I understand why his character was so difficult. This ten year old was essentially abandoned with a stranger and he had no idea it was coming. I think I would've lashed out irrationally too.

What i did enjoy was reading about his grandfather's birds. I love them, and I think Betsy Byars did a great job in nailing their character in her writing. I especially like how the grandfather treated Sammy just like he treated the crane. Sammy struggles and fights his grandfather just like the crane does upon its capture. The crane refuses to be fed just like Sammy refuses to take in his grandfather's explanations about his parents' sudden departure. Eventually, the crane begins to come to terms with its problems, and Sammy follows its example. I really enjoyed drawing those parallels in the story. I think 3rd through 5th grade would best enjoy this story.

[Spider the Doof Warrior · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked this book, especially when I was in junior high school, but I read it again as an adult and realized that that poor kid had terrible parents.
I got to get into this more. It's ridiculous how the father didn't even have a job yet but they all decide to go to Detroit. The parents had SEVERAL BOYS so by the time they got to Sammy they were worn out.
But they weren't too worn out to make all those kids, now were they?
So they've got to just dump the poor kid on the somewhat not exactly stable bird obsessed grandfather. You can't TELL him this first? You just leave his grandfather to do the dirty work?
Man, they sucked. Plus they let the kid run around all dirty and stuff.

I really would like to have a house out in the middle of nowhere with a lot of birds, but, having been a child often dumped on grandparents if my future children did this, I'd send a crow after them to peck them for it.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

rating for young readers: 3
rating for adults: 4

young boy (10 yo): on the defensive, boaster, quick to take offense, doesn't trust people

g'pa: gruff, kind-hearted, lonely, rough in demeanor and bearing, loves birds

a character study

birds that play key roles: crane, parrot, owl, geese

[Leonie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short 1970s novel about a boy whose parents don’t care (or even notice) him and the day they abandon him to his grandfather and a worn down, tattered house in the wilderness. The story takes about a day, but the boy, his grandfather, the house, the parents and all the birds are absolutely real and walk off the pages.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad book. In fact, probably a good book for middle grade boys. I just wanted something more. Something else. Not sure what, however.

[mitchell dwyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to my friend and colleague Cindy, I have a small handful of Betsy Byars books with which to kick off my summer reading. I enjoyed the heck out of The Eighteenth Emergency with its parade of quirky characters. This short novel, House of Wings, is a different creature entirely. Young Sammy and his elderly grandfather are the only characters, and they populate a lonely house in a wooded area. The novel beings with Sammy running away from his grandfather and it ends with him falling completely in love with him.

Along the way, we are introduced to an owl who lives indoors, a parrot who says "Good bye" when people aren't going anywhere, some geese who do their best to get underfoot, and a rescued crane, the object of deep fascination for Sammy and his grandfather for the majority of the story.

There seem to be a lot of novels about young people growing to love their eccentric grandparents (see A Year Down Yonder, Walk Two Moons, Bud Not Buddy, and Dicey's Song, just to name four Newbery-winners that approach the same topic). This is a short and sweet version of that plot. It is well done and a nice, quick read.

[Gale · Rating 4 out of 5]

SPREADING HIS WINGS--TO ACCEPTANCE

Very short, intense tale about a 10-year-old boy's discovery of his aging grandfather and bird lore. Resentful of being temporarily abandoned by his parents with an crusty old man he's never met before, Sammy spends two days finding out about himself as he starts to grow up. After his unsuccessful attempt to run away, he grudgingly helps the old man care for a wounded crane. The boy is not at all likeable, (boastful, selfish, even arrogant) but he learns to take into consideration both creatures and people besides himself, as he comes to respect the winged kingdom which his grandfather loves. In so doing, he comes to appreciate not only the old man, who finally addresses the boy by his name, but another species as well. By helping a wild creature he begins to tame himself to the piont of appreciating a grandfather he never knew he could learn to love.

(Apirl 17, 2010. I welcome dialogue with teachers.)

[Books Kids Like · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Sammy's parents leave him with his grandfather, Sammy is outraged. They stop at Grandfather's house on their way to Detroit and a new life. Early the next morning, Sammy's parents leave while he is sleeping. They don't even say goodbye. Calling his grandfather a liar, Sammy runs from the house determined to follow his mother and father. Grandfather follows Sammy through the fields and under the highway. In an open field, he stops and calls for Sammy to come back. Sammy can tell that something has happened by the change in Grandfather's voice so he comes back to investigate. There in the field is an injured crane. Together, they catch the crane, carry it back the Grandfather's house, and nurse it back to health.
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com

[Lindy Burkett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a great book to have in a classroom library though I would not read it aloud with the whole class. This book has some mature themes that would be a great individual read for the right students. It might be a bit heavy for an easy read during some down class time. The young man Sam is left behind with his grandfather when his parents relocate to Detroit to find jobs. Sam's grandfather tries to encourage Sam's interest in raising and caring for birds as a way to connect with him. At first Sam rebels then becomes intrigued. A tough coming of age book that brings in elements of nature and nurture. Recommended for 6th grade through young adult ages.

[Jordie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Umm... Seriously, Betsy Byars is a genius.
I've critiqued her books and why they're so important in other reviews. But I'll just reiterate how important I think it is to know your subject intimately before you write about it. Byars includes many sharp details and zero generic ones. The result is high believability, and her characters shimmer and vibrate with life. You want so much for them to be ok.
I'm blown-away.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read as an e book

Gripping - couldn't stop turning pages
About a boy, spammy left with his Grandfather, & an injured crane
Intense emotionally with clear characters for all
Great descriptions especially of the birds

Will read more of her books

Would recommend to girls as has very salient emotional topics and descriptions

Might change it to 4 stars

[Josiah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really pleased with the quality of this book. Betsy Byars has such a relaxed, unique style of writing that I obtain get her books whenever possible, but The House of Wings definitely exceeded my expectatons. I would recommend this book for anyone else, without hesitation.

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[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very well written short book. This is a quick read with characters 4th- 5th grade students should be able to identify with.

[Richard Hoppe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am always interested in any thing that has to do with birds. Was a fun read, although geared toward teenagers or young adults.

[Scott Williams]

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[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful bird imagery, loved the description of the owl especially, ended a little faster than I thought it would, was hoping for a little more depth of connection between the characters.

[Kathy McC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written youth fiction. Good example of "voice" for sixth graders.