Slow moving, not really invested in the characters or story. And, not sure I understand who this book is for, weird mix of 2nd grade interest with 7th grade topics. Includes: additional resources and reading, invitation to connect with author as she participates in tagging osprey to monitor during migration. ( )

Have you ever seen a bird heading south for the winter and wondered exactly where it would end up? In this roller coaster of a story, Callum and his friend Iona have the rare chance to track the path of an osprey they spot in the woods on Callum’s family farm in Scotland. They name the bird Iris, and her travels unexpectedly connect Callum with new friends in another part of the world – and even reconnect him with his friends at home. Tragedy strikes, storms rage, and people learn what it means to be a true friend and to give what they have for others. As the weather warms and birds begin to make the dangerous return journey north, what will come of Callum’s hopes to see Iris once again in his forest?

Watch out for Scottish words that have different meanings from their American counterparts. You probably already know that football=soccer and Mum=Mom, but keep an eye out for these as well: biscuit=cookie; jumper=sweater; and car park=parking lot.

This book is a good choice for readers who like unexpected twists and a little bit of suspense. You may also enjoy it if you like to read about animals, especially birds. ( )

Set in Scotland, this easy read tells the story of Callum, the young son of a sheep farmer, who befriends a girl (Ilona) obsessed with wildlife. When they find an osprey nesting pair - extremely rare in Scotland- they decide to keep it secret to protect the birds... and I can't tell more without spoilers, so stop here if you don't want them.
Ilona is presented a bit oddly. Hints of a back story about her are given, but never clarified though the entire book. About halfway through the tale, with no foreshadowing, and no warning, Ilona gets sick and promptly dies. This is the great weakness of this otherwise decent YA novel. Ilona's back story is never told, though it's made clear there is one, and then she dies and vanishes. After her funeral, she is rarely even mentioned again. We know she is on Callum's mind, but he is far more focused on the osprey (Iris) than on his deceased friend.
Ilona's death is balanced somewhat by the introduction of another sick young girl (Jeneba) who lives in The Gambia, where Iris winters. Callum and his friends meet her by email as they try to find Iris through a wildlife tracking program. Jeneba has been hit by a truck and both of her legs have been shattered. The hospitals in The Gambia don't have the expertise or equipment to give her the help she needs. She will never walk again, and may die... but Callum and his pals set out to save her, and of course do so successfully.
I could give this a much higher rating had Ilona's character been handled better, but I was left wondering what happened in her life before we met her, and then felt like she was more or less abandoned after her death by both the other characters and the author. ( )

"Callum becomes friends with Iona, a practically feral classmate who has discovered an osprey, thought to be gone from Scotland, on Callum's family farm, and they eventually share the secret with others, including Jeneba who encounters the same bird at her home in Gambia." Friendship is a strong theme is this place-based story: friendship between people and between people, birds, and the land. Well-researched and atmospheric, Wild Wings will transport you to the hills of Scotland and the wetlands of Africa and make you fall in love with Callum, Iona, Jeneba and the ospreys they cherish. ( )

My 9 1/2 year old daughter recommended that I read this, and I'm glad that she did! First off, it's just cool to see what she's into! Secondly, it's a pretty darn good lil' book! A touching story about a young Scottish boy named Callum, an osprey named Iris, and two special girls in both of their lives, Iona and Jeneba! I enjoyed the details about the osprey, life in Scotland, and life in The Gambia, and I liked the positive messages about family, the environment, and endangered species. I'd highly recommend this for a young reader looking for a good story! ( )