Bound To Stay Bound

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 Triumphant tale of the house sparrow
 Author: Thornhill, Jan

 Publisher:  Groundwood Books/House of Anansi Press (2018)

 Dewey: 598.8
 Classification: Nonfiction
 Physical Description: [42] p., col. ill., col. map, 28 cm

 BTSB No: 881569 ISBN: 9781773060064
 Ages: 9-12 Grades: 4-7

 Subjects:
 House sparrows
 Introduced birds

Price: $6.50

Summary:
The history of this perky little bird, one of the most adaptable creatures on Earth.

Accelerated Reader Information:
   Interest Level: MG
   Reading Level: 6.10
   Points: 1.0   Quiz: 194723
Reading Counts Information:
   Interest Level: 3-5
   Reading Level: 8.60
   Points: 4.0   Quiz: 73351

Reviews:
   Kirkus Reviews (+) (03/15/18)
   School Library Journal (+) (03/01/18)
   Booklist (+) (05/01/18)
 The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (00/05/18)

Full Text Reviews:

School Library Journal - 03/01/2018 Gr 3–6—Thornhill returns to questions on adaptation, conservation, and extinction, all raised in her 2016 award-winning title The Tragic Tale of the Great Auk, but here posed in a different light—one of triumph. The narrative pieces together the House Sparrow's long history, from around 12,000 years ago to the present day, to better understand how a creature so reviled still managed to adapt and survive in great numbers. Thornhill's precision in describing how the petite bird could be ruthlessly exterminated by people and, at the same time, be adored by them, her careful prodding of the dissonance between these two realities, is truly absorbing. What emerges is a complex, dark comedy of human behavior and a tenacious avian species, one with very real—and, as Thornhill argues, often ignored—consequences. Regarding their decline in North America, Thornhill asks: "What if the culprit is something that is as unhealthy for humans as it is for the House Sparrow?" The message is subtle but clear: our fates are intertwined. Thornhill's masterly digital art invites repeated viewing. There is death (and a bit of gore) as well as quiet, almost tender scenes, such as a small flock eating alongside cows on a train. The palette of rich greens, reds, and browns affirm the theme of vitality—and a story not yet finished. VERDICT An exceptional selection for nonfiction collections; use it to deepen discussions on the relationship among humans, animals, and the environment.—Della Farrell, School Library Journal - Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 05/01/2018 *Starred Review* Pigeons, breathe a sigh of relief because for once the “despised bird” being discussed is the common House Sparrow. This bouncy brown ball of feathers will be familiar to all readers, so much so that they’ve probably given it very little thought. In a rather ingenious move, Thornhill (The Tragic Tale of the Great Auk, 2016) uses this unassuming figure as an entry point to discuss adaptation, invasive species, and humanity’s role in shaping the environment. The history of the House Sparrow is closely tied to that of human civilization, and Thornhill consistently shows readers the link between this grain-loving bird’s evolution and global migration with the spread of agriculture. Highly adaptable and fecund, House Sparrow populations quickly boomed alongside human settlements, starting in the Middle East and eventually spreading to every continent but Antarctica. This also meant that these chirpy fellows soon became a nuisance, particularly to farmers faced with decimated crops. Painting-like digital illustrations reveal various cultures on which House Sparrows left their mark, from their appearance as Egyptian hieroglyphs to children’s jobs as sparrow catchers in England. As pesky as sparrows can be, Thornhill highlights their important role in insect control and as indicators of environmental health. Her engaging and informative avian history bestows worth upon the sparrow’s feathery back, recasting it from villain to valuable ally. - Copyright 2018 Booklist.

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