This review makes me uncomfortable so let’s off with the bandage.

In the fall, I saw a “Lost Cat” poster tacked up right outside my house, and I knew the owner of this cat: a little boy whose father passed away from cancer about a year ago. The boy’s father couldn’t search for this cat so I took it upon myself to take up this challenge.

Even though I was searching incredibly familiar territory, I saw my surroundings with fresh eyes, scanning every last little detail. I spent hours searching for this cat, inspiring me to get outside and enjoy some fresh air.

Normally, I tend to keep to myself. However, a cat’s fate was on the line so I asked every single person that came cross my path if they had seen the cat. I even convinced some of the neighbors to join in the search.

Birdgirl: Looking To The Skies In Search of A Better Future is a memoir about the author, a young woman, who travels the world, to all seven continents, observing birds, and weaving in the tale of her mother’s battle with mental illness.

Although I am not a birder or twitcher, I believe in the power of nature and consider myself to be an environmentalist. I even have a flier from Extinction Rebellion!

But…..

This book bored me to tears. Although I loved the illustrations at the beginning of the chapters, this book needed some pictures as I found myself constantly looking up birds.

Mya-Rose Craig is clearly competent, and she has even given speeches with Greta Thunberg. However, the storytelling needed sharpening. It read like a high school journal lest the teenage angst. The paragraphs were too long, and there was v. little dialogue and no suspense. At times, the book was also overly preachy. Instead, Craig should have put a list of eco-tourism lodges at the end of the book for those interested.

Not too long ago, I read The Book of Hope by Jane Goodall. It was phenomenal. But guess what? She co-wrote her book with not one but two other authors. Ms. Goodall has been working on her storytelling for decades, and she still utilized the skills of two other writers. Her book (or rather their book) is amazing!

Now for the gut punch: Jane Goodall has the same publisher as Mya-Rose Craig! So why didn’t they give Ms. Craig a co-author?

What makes me so sad is that there is enough here to make a good story, and Ms. Craig is probably the next Jane Goodall. But the tale wasn’t told in a compelling way.

Best of luck to you, Ms. Craig. Keep on birding! Keep on exploring the world and speaking up!

If you are a nature lover, this could very possibly be your new favorite memoir. Mya-Rose Craig’s “Birdgirl” is about so much more than birdwatching. This memoir tackles everything from racism to mental health, expertly weaving together these topics to showcase the importance of nature. From seeing destruction firsthand across the seven continents, to witnessing the systemic racism affecting populations across the globe, Mya-Rose covers it all. In addition, Mya-Rose provides a deep, raw look at her family. As her mother struggles with intense mental health crises, her family turns to nature and birdwatching excursions to provide some comfort in an otherwise tumultuous time.

Mya-Rose’s writing is so descriptive, it fees like you are there watching the birds with her! From the intricate landscapes she traverses with her family to the magnificent species she identifies, Mya-Rose brings you along with her excitement, joy, sadness, and all the other emotions that come with her experiences. The audiobook version of this memoir is exceptional! Mya-Rose is the narrator, which only added to the authenticity of it. This heartfelt, inspiring memoir is an easy 5 star read.

Thank you to Net Galley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC!