Thank you to NetGalley for the readers copy in exchange for a (very late) review.
Bring tissues. You’re probably going to feel a lot of big emotions.
This was beautiful and heart wrenching. A fantastic story and an important story for young readers ( and adults honestly).

Oh man, oh man, oh man. Graham belongs in that club of middle grade characters that you just want to wrap up in a hug and never let go.

Graham has moved around a lot with his mom, looking for a treatment for her heart condition. He has spent a lot of time in hospital rooms around the country, sometimes making friendships that don't last and always (willingly) putting his mom first. He is a great kid and knows that there are some serious things happening, but seems to have an optimistic outlook.

Graham's mom grew up in Florida, where she enjoyed looking for and cataloging birds she found in the swampy area near her home. She and Graham move in with one of her oldest friends and his son. Graham soon after meets a quirky girl named Lou, and together, they decide to enter a contest to discover the only rare bird his mother could never find, in the hope that achieving this dream for her will help her get better sooner.

I won't give away the twist, but as an adult reader, I saw it coming. But even as a person a little bit removed from age 12, I was completely able to appreciate the message of living life to the fullest while you can, because you never know what can happen, and life is short. Sometimes, much, much too short.

Be careful giving this book to overly sensitive kiddos. There are some sad parts, but overall a lovely and uplifting story about a kid who loves his mom, loves his friends, and who would do anything to make their dreams come true.

“You know how sometimes you meet people and it's like you hardly have to explain yourself to them? Like you’re two people that have always been in the same club, but you’re just meeting for the first time?”

Middle grade? NOPE. This wonderfully written book deserves to be read and acknowledged by everybody! The synopsis reminded me so much of Five Feet Apart and I knew I would love it before reading a single line. The plot was executed perfectly and there's something about how Jeff spun the words that made every scenario seem magical. Highly recommended ❤️❤️

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ -- Adore the cover on this book!

I recently read Rare Birds by Jeff Miller and I have to say, it's easily one of my favorite reads this year! This middle grade book had all the feels, and the author did an amazing job tackling the heavy subject matter.

The story follows twelve-year-old Graham, who feels like his entire life is one big waiting room while his mother waits for a heart transplant. While waiting in Florida for the summer, he meets Lou at the hospital and together they embark on an adventure to find the endangered Snail Kite, which resides in the local gator-filled swamps.

The writing was amazing and very well-paced. The setting and bird watching plot were both excellently done. Rare Birds managed to be both heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time, making it impossible not to be invested in what happens next. I found myself rooting for Graham and Lou throughout the book as they searched for something that would give them hope during such a difficult time.

The characters were relatable, especially Graham and Lou. They complemented each other well throughout their journey as they searched for the rare bird. Overall, I can't recommend this book any higher – it's definitely worth reading if you're looking for a beautifully written middle-grade book that will make you feel all sorts of emotions!

**ARC Via NetGalley**

I feel like there is maybe a little too much heavy foreshadowing in this book. I can see what it is going for and I admire the different characters fighting their own emotional battles. But there's typically one way an organ donation book tends to go, to buckle up.

Thank you, NetGalley, for an e-ARC of Rare Birds by Jeff Miller.
Rare Birds is a sweet story of friendship, family, and overcoming life's trials. A story of two friends searching for a miracle. Filled with highs and lows, disappointments and successes, this is a book that stays in your heart.

For years, Graham and his Mom have been on a cross country quest for a medical miracle for her heart condition --myocardiopathy --which causes her heart to beat too fast. The damage has come to the point where the only remaining treatment is a heart transplant. As the story begins, they arrive at the Florida Clinic in Sugarland, Florida, where Mom grew up. During the stay, Graham stays with his mom's good friend Dom, who is super friendly, and his son Nick, who is not so friendly. Graham knew his mom was an avid bird watcher and as he and his mom go through some of her things that she has stored in Dom's garage, he discovers that one summer she made notes in a journal as she tried to find the ten rare birds listed in the book RARE BIRDS OF FLORIDA. She found 9 of the 10, but the Snail Kite was elusive. After stints in the hospital waiting areas on Chicago, Seattle, Minneapolis, and Buffalo, Graham has become an expert in navigating hospitals--find the best ice machine, and nicest janitors and nurses. As he scopes out the situation, he runs into Lou, a girl who is also well versed in surviving hospital waiting rooms. She also has a family member in need of a heart. They form a rocky relationship with Nick to enter a contest for kids to find a Snail Kite which has an enticing $5000 prize. The search takes their minds off the stress of waiting for the appropriate heart donor, and so begins a plot which takes the reader on an exploration of the flora and fauna surrounding Sugarland (yes, there is a 'gator), underlying family dynamics, and the coming of age experiences of our trio. As an aside, I love Graham and his mother's coping mechanisms. Graham's mom does not take pictures of the birds she see because he feels they are spirits who are coming to say hello. She also says everything happens for a reason, while the doctors like to say "a positive attitude is half the battle", which leaves Graham wanting to know about the other half. When the roller coaster of emotions becomes overwhelming, Graham retreats to his safe place--the waiting room in his mind. RARE BIRDS will have wide appeal to many, especially fans of Carl Hiaasen's books, or those with family members with serious medical conditions. Also of note are several adults who are kind and caring, which is refreshing. I highly recommend!
Thank you to Union Square Kids and NetGalley for the digital arc.

A middle school book for all ages. I couldn't have enjoyed this book more and it's been a while (cough) since I was in school. There are two plots stitched together perfectly that kept me turning the pages. The characters have a lot of depth and I couldn't help but love them. One minute I was cheering, the next, choking up. And the ending. Be still my heart! Great job.

This book wrecked me. I laughed, smiled, and bawled my way through it. It is a beautiful story with a beautiful theme of not wasting a moment of the life we've been given. Highly recommend this one and can't wait to add it to my classroom and school libraries!

Thank you to the author, Union Square Kids and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This middle-grade book is an unexpected gem. It deals with heavy topic matter, with the protagonist's mother suffering from a heart condition and on the transplant list. The two of them live an unsettled life, travelling from one clinic to another, spending lots of time in hospitals and not really able to make friends before having to move on. They end up in Florida, where the mother grew up, and the main themes of the story - friendship and the meaning of being alive - blossom beautifully out of the narrative. The topics of bullying, family dynamics and death are also touched on, without being overwhelming and with showing ways of dealing with them. Both the main and the secondary characters are well-developed and the POV of the protagonist (a 12-year-old boy) rings true. Highly recommend for both middle-grade kids and adults.

Story of the book-

Graham Dodds, 12, is accustomed to sitting in hospital waiting areas. He occasionally has the impression that his entire existence is a waiting room. waiting for the next physician to diagnose his mother’s condition. waiting to learn which city they will be relocating to next. for the miracle that would save his mother’s life—a heart transplant—to come about.

Graham is now waiting while spending the summer in Florida. However, he makes a buddy who requires a diversion just as much as he does when he meets a lady called Lou in the hospital. She informs him of a hunt for the rare Snail Kite, which is found in the neighborhood’s gator-infested wetlands. Together, they set off on a quest to find the rare bird, and Graham might just discover something else—himself—along the way.

My review-

In this enduring middle-grade book, Jeff Miller tells a moving tale about what it means to live. This novel was excellently written. It addresses a weighty subject in a significant and engaging manner. It was a wise decision to include the bird-watching plot in the narrative, and I admired Graham’s mother’s perspective on birds. A Middle-Grade book that challenges readers to examine themselves and live life to the fullest. Powerful, emotional, and multifaceted. The title implies a lot when you read the novel, the characters are mature and understanding adults, friendship is so pure and dependable, and the unlikely favorite character will be in your heart forever once you’ve finished the book! The interpersonal character dynamics are always my favorite aspect of a book, and I adored Graham’s interactions with his mother, Dom and Nick, and of course Lou. Because they had their difficulties and lives, the supporting cast members were the ideal complement to Graham’s narrative.

It’s a terrific idea for youngsters to look up to view pictures of the birds because the book also lists many bird species. Florida is my favorite location. Florida is my favorite location. The scene has been established quite effectively by Miller. The gator tale and canoe trips into the glades are two of my favorite things. Even though I’m not sure today’s youngsters would have the same boldness, I appreciate the idea of the kids being independent and venturing forth. Readers are invited into the world of a twelve-year-old birdwatcher searching for a place to call home and a way to save his mother, even if it necessitates venturing far into Florida swampland, in Jeff Miller’s heartbreaking, coming-of-age middle-grade novel. The book was inspired by Jeff Miller’s personal experience living through his own parent’s heart transplant.

Welp, it made me cry...beautifully told story about a kid in limbo waiting for a heart transplant for his mom and then his friend. Authentic characters, including Nick, who is less than likable to begin with.

Rare Birds is a beautiful book about friendship and the meaning of being alive. Graham is 12 and has just moved to Florida, where his mom grew up. His mom has a heart condition and is on the transplant list. For support, Graham has moved in with a childhood friend of his mother's who also has a son. Graham spends a lot of time in the hospital with his mom and meets Lou, a girl his age who also spends more time in the hospital than any kid should have to. Graham discovers an old notebook and finds out his mom was an avid bird watcher. She was never able to find one native bird so Graham and Lou start searching for it in hopes of raising his mom's spirits.

This book is beautiful. It's a wonderful demonstration of what it means to be a friend and how life should be lived to the fullest and not taken for granted. Rare Birds is pretty short but there is a lot to this book, it discusses family dynamics, bullying, in addition to life and death. The characters are well developed and easy to love and I enjoyed the birding aspect. I do think that the plot is a bit complex for middle grade but as an adult it was appreciated and I think this may be a good book for any young person beginning to question life/death or having to deal with death or severe illness in their life. I recommend this book but if you think a young person in your life would be interested in it maybe read it yourself first so you can gauge the maturity level.

A beautiful MG story about a young boy whose mother is in need of a heart transplant. Graham and his mom are settling down in Florida after trying hospitals in a few states, hoping this is where their luck will be. After making a new friend (and a new nemesis) Graham learns his mother used to be into birding. There is one bird left on the list of birds she tried to find when younger. Graham and his new friend Lou are determined to find the bird, while also winning a local birding contest. Will the be successful? Will Graham's mom get a heart before her time runs out? MG readers and beyond will not be able to put this book down as they read to find out what happens.

*Teachers and parents should be aware that this book does have some sad/sensitive topics. If you have a sensitive child please read the book alongside your student/child or read it first so you know if it's right for them.

I highly recommend this book and will be ordering a copy to read with my third grade son!

Everything works perfectly when it comes to this amazing middle grade book. The author has taken real incidents as inspiration to write this book.

One of my most anticipated books of 2023 and I already know it doesn’t know how to disappoint! Heartfelt writing, well developed characters, meaningful moments, mature and understanding adult characters, friendship so pure and reliable, the title means a lot when you read the story and the unlikely favourite character will stay forever once you read the book till the end!

I would say the writing is so good. Moreover, the short chapters add so much fun while reading the book. Love the little careful details regarding the print and I know for sure the paperback will feel so good! It’s going to be so good.

It’s the story of a boy whose main part of his days would be visiting hospitals with his mother waiting for a heart transplant to save her life.

He meets a new friend. Also get ready to know a very unusual character. I am telling you it’s so good to know all these characters, what they do to make things better for each other and how they find ways to bring some adventure amidst their struggles.

Such a meaningful read. Just grab this book when it comes out!

Thank you, Union Square Kids /Sterling Publishing, for the advance reading copy.

This book is an emotional read that may be too excessive and in depth for the age intended. While I enjoyed the story, I do not think the age it is intended for will. Rare Birds is full of heart and a unique perspective that is engaging for adults but may confuse or defer Middle Grade kids. I would not purchase this book for my classroom library because I do not think it would be read or referred to by students who attempt to read it. I think if this story fully fleshed out one idea of conflict, rather than engaging multiple ideas, it would sit better with younger students.

I did enjoy the characters for the most part because they were believable. Although, I felt they sounded way wiser and older than 12 years old. There were times I felt the kids reacted like older teenagers than pre-teens. I also did not find that Nick’s character had been 100% set in stone. It was like the author was still trying to figure him out and in the story as well. I would recommend Rare Birds to my older students in high school, but this would not be for a middle grade student.

i really enjoyed the book. I got attached to the characters and the ending was very emotional. The book is definitely worth reading, it portrays a variety of important qualities and problems. Overall, I recommend.

Summer's not over yet and neither is summer reading! Still time to slide in a few more books like the oh so lovely Rare Birds by Jeff Miller. This book has the feel of the end of summer - sweet and sad, with a little bit of urgency to get all the things done before it ends.

Graham and his mother have moved all over the US trying to find a cure for her illness. Their last-ditch effort lands them back in her hometown in Florida. Waiting (once again) in the hospital, Graham meets Lou, a girl who knows which ice machine is the best and which janitor is the kindest. Together, they decide to enter a contest to find the Snail Kite, a rare bird that his mom was looking for when she was younger. As they roam through backwaters and swamps, evading alligators and mean rich kids, Graham and Lou learn about what it means to be a rare bird.

This book will appeal to readers who like books that tackle hard subjects in gentle ways (think Lynda Mullaly Hunt or Wendy Mass). Bonus points for having a male protagonist as so many books in the genre do not.

Thanks to @netgalley for the ARC.

Graham and his new friend Lou are determined to find the Snail Kite, a rare bird, to win a contest and raise the spirits of their parents. Graham's mother is awaiting a heart transplant, and Graham is sure that finding the bird will lead to a miracle for her. Jeff Miller brings to life a great cast of characters in this middle grade novel.

I waffled over whether to give this book 3 or 4 stars. My indecision was over my gut feeling on how likely kids are to pick this up and read it and my personal reaction to the story, the characters, the plausibility, and cohesion. I went with the later, and so, 4 stars. The story is unique, full of heart, and fully engaging to adults, but the dual plot is problematic for kids. Middle grade kids prefer plots that hone in on one conflict and fully flesh it out, rather than trying to bring multiple ideas into one story.

Here's the gist. Graham's mother has a severe heart condition that requires a transplant. This brings her back to her Florida Everglades hometown where oddly, her chances of getting one are higher. Graham and his mom move in with a guy who she's known since her childhood. The only problem for Graham is that he has a son with a chip on his shoulder.

Graham discovers that his mom had a thing for rare birds and there's one that always eluded her: the Snail Kite (a real bird, by the way, but not orange). Interestingly, there's a girl, Lou, hanging out at the hospital who also has an interest in birds. When they learn about a contest with a substantial financial reward for anyone who gets a photo of the Snail Kite, they become instant, inseparable friends, canoeing the mysterious byways of the Everglades.

For the most part I liked all the characters. When I say "like" I mean I found them all believable. There's two exceptions. One is the age of the characters. They are 12, but sound much older. The other is Nick, the kid with a chip on his shoulder. His personality does a 180 from bad to good and I never fall for that. It's just not reality. I very much like Graham and Lou's friendship. Given what they've been through with so much of their lives spent in hospitals, their attachment is natural. I also like the bullies. They're hardcore, sabotaging Graham's expeditions in the glades.

I love the Florida setting. Miller has done a very good job of setting the scene. I especially love the gator legend and canoe excursions into the glades. I like the kids being on their own, exploring, even though I'm not sure kids today would have such bravery.

What bothers me the most about this book is the dual plot. It's going to make kids tire easily. I've seen this again and again with kids. While the medical part is interesting, it just gives you one more thing to keep track of. The best part of the book centers around the bullies and the Everglades. I wish that had been developed more. The heart transplant plot would be more effective in its own story.