Rare Birds

Age range 8 to 12

Jeff Miller’s heartbreaking, coming-of-age middle-grade novel — inspired by his personal experience living through his own parent’s heart transplant — invites readers into the world of a twelve-year-old birdwatcher looking for a place to call home and a way to save his mother, even if it means venturing deep into Florida swampland.

Twelve-year-old Graham Dodds is no stranger to hospital waiting rooms. Sometimes, he feels like his entire life is one big waiting room. Waiting for the next doctor to tell them what’s wrong with his mum. Waiting to find out what city they’re moving to next. Waiting to see if they will finally get their miracle — a heart transplant to save his mom’s life.

When Graham gets stuck in Florida for the summer, he meets a girl named Lou at the hospital, and he finds a friend who needs a distraction as much as he does. She tells him about a contest to find the endangered Snail Kite, which resides in the local gator-filled swamps. Together they embark on an adventure, searching for the rare bird...and along the way, Graham might just find something else — himself.

Jeff Miller crafts a heartfelt story about what it means to live in this unforgettable middle-grade novel. Rare Birds is a rare find that will resonate with fans of the Carl Hiassen’s Hoot and Melissa Savage’s Lemon. For readers looking for novels with literary appeal and classic themes of family, friendship, and the meaning of life, Rare Birds is a perfect pick.  

'Using compassionate prose, Miller (King of the Mall) tenderly captures Graham’s fear and courage in the face of uncertainty, sensitively rendering his processing of a difficult situation.' — Publishers Weekly

'It’s a sincerely stirring story, and Graham is beautifully written, given room to explore complicated emotions and navigate a deep relationship with his mother. A compassionate contemplation of the business of truly living a life.' — Booklist