A story of finding yourself, being yourself and allowing others to be themselves, too. Jack, Libby, Vincent & T (Joey, too) share common experiences between a small town in rural Vermont and the streets of Seattle--showing that we are all connected in little and big ways. And that we all have the power to change our perspective with just a little show of kindness. This book is definitely one that is necessary in our classrooms today. I cannot wait to share with students and to encourage other teachers to read and share their book too! I definitely see myself using this as a read aloud to spark conversation (and maybe even a postcard campaign of kindness?) among my students.

To state that the next novel by Ann Braden, The Flight of the Puffin, delivers is an absolute understatement. I loved this book from the first page until its last. I was immediately connected to and invested in each of the four characters’ lives. Each chapter was titled one of the main characters’ names- Libby, Jack, Vincent, or T and I truly loved this way to navigate the story. As the story unfolded, there were four mini-stories within one book. As I dove into each of the character’s chapters I learned more about his/her/their own life stories, as well as what each one was grappling with ranging from bullying to a tragic loss, a desire to “color outside the box,” and/or a quest to live one’s own truth.

I ebbed and flowed, back and forth, happily from one character to another learning about each one individually. While at first, there was no clear connection between or among them- things began to change about halfway through the story. I can remember thinking to myself at that point that I was getting to know Libby, Jack, and Vincent well, but T was still a bit of a mystery to me. Each chapter about T was written in beautiful verse, with limited yet subtle clues about T’s life. Then, it happened, an event involving Vincent led to an unexpected crossing of the two character’s pathways. It was at that point in the story, that the four characters begin to become beautifully woven together, as only Ann Braden can do. The simplest things such as index cards, quotes, and deliberate acts of kindness began to be the catalysts to connect these four together and change their lives forever.

Overall, I loved this book and can’t wait for it to be in the world for others to see themselves, learn how every person matters, and understand that no act of kindness is too small. Each character is given his/her/their own time and space throughout the pages of the book, however, they are also beautifully woven together in a way that is inspiring and hopeful. Ann truly captured and delivered the idea of how one person’s small act of kindness can “ripple” out into the universe and impact so many other people in such a positive and heartwarming way.

Four voices. They seem different at first, but it is amazing how author Ann Braden joins them together in the end. Libby, Jack, Vincent and T are different from each other, but are also the same. Libby is trying to outrun her family's history of being bullies. Jack is trying to save his rural school and come to terms with a tragedy in his family. Vincent is trying to survive the bullies. T is trying to survive. Through the power of kindness these four lives become intertwined in a beautiful way. Ann Braden takes her real life Love Brigade and shows the power it has in this beautiful story of hope, support, love, kindness and persevering.

Four kids--all very different from each other--learn the power of connectedness and being true to yourself in this gorgeous realistic novel. Living on opposite sides of the country, nothing seems to bind these four 7th graders together, until one girl's determination to spread joy and positivity in the world changes everything.

No one does sensitive and honest middle-grade quite like Ann Braden. THE BENEFITS OF BEING AN OCTOPUS was a triumph for its empathic portrayal of some very divisive topics, and with FLIGHT OF THE PUFFIN, Braden has accomplished the nearly impossible feat of writing a sophomore novel every bit as powerful, heartfelt, and soaring as her first. This time around, Braden addresses trans issues with compassion, showing one kid's growth from "we don't have any of those" to something much more inclusive and open to change. The representation here also matters. Although all characters read white, the representation of socio-economic and geographic diversity is important and sorely needed. Whether in a big city or on top of a mountain in the backwoods, these kids' struggles are real and are experienced by actual kids every day. This book will help readers feel seen. Trust me, you'll want to read this one.

The novel is much more character- than plot-driven, so give this book to those readers who are willing to keep going because they care about the characters, not because they are propelled by drama and action. I would highly recommend this book for all collections serving middle-grade and middle-school readers. Hand this book to advanced readers in grades 5-6 who can stick it out through a slower but deep plot or to average-level readers in grades 7-8 who loved the interconnectedness of Gratz's REFUGEE but can handle less action.

*Side note: Thank you, Ms. Braden, for making your characters 7th graders! It is difficult to find books centering 13- and 14-year-olds, and often my middle-schoolers (and early high-schoolers) are given books either about preteens that they no longer connect to or about older teens that address issues they don't wrestle with yet. Setting this story in 7th grade allows the older kids feel that it is not too much of a "baby" book for them while also allowing the younger kids to read about "big" kids fighting for who they are--a win for everyone involved! Please, publishers, more books about 13- to 15-year-olds!

Thank you, NetGalley and Ann Braden, for providing a free eARC in return for an honest review.

Fans of Benefits of Being an Octopus will love Flight of the Puffin. Ann Braden masterfully weaves the stories of four characters together, demonstrating how actions can have a ripple effect. This book will give kids the courage to speak up for what is right and to challenge what’s always been. It will give kids hope that they can be who they are. It will give parents pause to really see their kids and allow them to be themselves. Flight of the Puffin is a must read for kids and adults alike.

A must read for all! Thank you so much to author Ann Braden for bringing this book to the world! Four distinct voices, unknowingly connected & grappling with identity-their own, that of those around them and how society views it. “You are amazing!”

“Flight of the Puffin” is exactly the middle grade novel the world needs right now. Four kids, all dealing with different traumas that leave them feeling isolated, become connected through small acts of kindness. Each character’s individual story drew me in to their personal journey to finding their strength. The way Ann Braden weaves the four stories together will be a perfect illustration for young readers to see the interconnectedness of communities, no matter how far flung. I can’t wait to get “Flight of the Puffin” in my school libraries and into students’ hands. Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with an e-ARC to preview.

What a lovely representation of kids helping kids. Each of the characters has their own struggles and yet still find a way to touch one another's lives. I know that my students will relate to the challenges faced by the kids in the book. Another hit by Ann Braden!

I love these characters so much, I could read their stories everyday! My heart is filled with love and I’m ready to send that love out into the world! I can’t wait to share this book with my students!

Thanks to NetGalley, Ann Braden, and Nancy Paulsen books for the digital ARC. Flight of the Puffin by Ann Braden is a wonderfully-moving, uplifting, important book that I think would make a great read aloud for grades 5-7. It starts with a girl, Libby, who because of her family association, is expected to be a bully and is treated as such. But she wants to be different, MORE, than that. She begins by writing positive messages on index cards and leaving them in places for people to find. In addition to Libby, there are three other main characters in the book that we hear from, Vincent, Jack and T. Each has their own story to tell and each story intertwines in a unique way. I absolutely loved this book and already pre-ordered it.

Thank you to the author Ann Braden and NetGallery, for a digital ARC of this book.

Flight of the Puffin was one of my most anticipated reads of 2021, and Ms. Braden does not disappoint in her second novel, Flight of the Puffin. This novel does so many things to be engaging, relevant and manageable for middle-grade readers.

The story follows four individuals dealing with personal struggles. Libby desperately is trying not to follow in the footsteps of her bullying family, and Vincent is a victim of bullying at school and not even sure why. Jack lives in a small town, trying to push forward after the death of his younger brother Alex and T lives on the streets of Seattle with a dog named Peko.

These are four kids that readers will know and connect with - they are not perfect, and they're trying to find their way in the world. The characters acted out, were misrepresented, scared of the unknown and made judgements without facts. Kids make these mistakes, and we see these characters stumble and struggle. We want to see how they will overcome their mistakes and not always be just quick fixes. It took courage and time to speak up about their opinions, the injustices, or to recognize they were in the wrong. Again real.

As the story continues to unfold, we see the four kids as they go about their lives and the personal issues they are dealing with individually. Libby is grounded for the vandalism but determined to share her index cards of optimism. Vincent decides he will be who he is and wear what he wants, no matter what the consequences are at school. Jack has to figure out how to rectify the misunderstanding at the board meeting he attended to fight for his school, and T and Peko are getting hungrier and colder on Seattle's rainy streets. All of them living their separate lives in different parts of the country until Libby's postcards of kindness ripples and connects them.

But this is more than a story about four kids who end up connected. It is a story that is inclusive because it includes nonbinary characters, something that we need to see more of in middle-grade books. It is a story about how we can be courageous and afraid simultaneously, but in the end, one does the right thing. It is a story that models #ownvoices by having Ann include in the acknowledgements her thanks to the nonbinary readers to ensure the story was on point and accurate from their perspective. It is a story that is manageable for readers because of its reasonable length. Flight of the Puffin is all of these things, but ultimately it is a story of kindness and the ripples it creates by one small act. What a powerful gift Ms. Braden has given us - the reminder of how easy it can be to make a difference and the world a better place.

I just finished Ann Braden’s “Flight of the Puffin” and I knew deep down in my heart that I would love this book, and I wasn’t wrong🥲! Thank you Ann Braden for sharing another story that everyone should read; teachers, parents, and of course all the "puffins"! This story is all about four humans all struggling with the glory of knowing their true self and the consequences that come with stating who that is. I have met versions of Jack, T, Libby, and Vincent. In the story, they are all struggling to be understood and that is what connects them. Every reader will be able to see a bit of themselves within the pages. While they often feel they can't conquer the IMPOSSIBLE, they do know that "once you’ve figured out who you are, can you really forget?” This book will go beyond a great middle grade read. Providing an invitation to seek others and connect with one index card and two words:
I'M POSSIBLE! I have ordered a box of Puffin Cereal to celebrate their stories! Book Birthday May 4, 2021

"On the loose to climb a mountain, On the loose where I am free,
On the loose to live my life the way I think my life should be.
For I only have a moment, and a whole world yet to see."

What a beautifully and masterfully written book! Ann Braden does not disappoint, in this book with alternating POV, as each character learns to stand up for what’s right, be who they are, and share the message of the puffins with others. Striking just the right tone, readers will be at the edge of their seats til the end.

Libby is navigating a life where her family has expectations that she is far from meeting. After quitting softball, no one in her family has really given her the attention and/or the affection she desires; especially when it comes to her love for the arts. Libby is invisible to her family for who she really is. As girls in Libby’s school are constantly judging her based off past actions, or her family’s actions, Libby decides to take matters into her own hands - with a stack of colorful post cards she leaves like one sentence reminders to those who might need it. “My parents might see themselves as strong and sturdy like concrete. Too bad I’m that dandelion sprouting through the cracks.”

Jack is from small town, country side, Vermont where he goes to a one room school house still. After losing his little brother Alex a year prior - there are a lot of things that are constantly reminding him of Alex even when he doesn’t necessarily want them to. Jack has taken on as a mentor to a young boy named Joey who reminds him a lot of his little brother. When a lady from the state of education comes in to try and take their school house away, Jack is willing to do whatever it takes to ensure their school doesn’t shut down.

Vincent is a boy in his own world, and he likes it there, until it gets very lonely. Vincent is constantly being bullied for how different he enjoys being, and doesn’t sway from staying true to himself, but sadly that started to come with consequences - staying strong all day only works until you absolutely can’t strong anymore. “Except that once you figure out who you are, can you really forget about that? And how long can you last trying to pretend you’re someone you’re not? But how long can anyone take being lonely?” THEN Vincent receives Libby’s postcard.

T is the part in verse in the story. T is such a mystery for quite some time. We are introduced to T in a variety of small poems where we can infer that T feels invisible. Later on realizing that T has left everything behind and is on their own. T is connected to Vincent by handing Vincent a shirt during a bullying incident. Then Vincent repays the act of kindness by bringing T and Peko food.

As the story continues and the postcards keep getting left around town, Libby talks with a lady at the store who brings in Vincent’s story of being bullied and almost as if he is bringing it upon himself. Libby has a hard time biting her lip in regards to this lady “defending the bullies” like - let’s just go with the flow of everything so you don’t get bullied. This ignites Libby’s fire even more to continue with the postcards, even asking the lady for the address to send one to Vincent in Seattle. T is connected to Vincent by handing Vincent a shirt during a bullying incident. Then Vincent repays the act of kindness by bringing T and Peko food. Vincent sees Jack on the news during the school board meeting and decides to return the act of kindness by sending him a postcard letting him know he is not alone. 4 separate kids all across the country experiencing life in different ways, yet so similar. Feeling all alone. Feeling like they’re invisible. Nobody seeing them for who they truly are, and appreciating that. Then started just random acts of kindness in hopes that someone, somewhere, will listen.

This is a story to be read aloud. To be discussed. To be truly digested by kids everywhere. In times where we are unsure of what to believe, sometimes who we are, what we are, what we stand for - this story reminds us to have hope and believe; and to understand you are never truly alone in your struggles.

“I always knew you were brave, but I’m so glad you’re this kind of brave.”