Booklist Review
Axel, who exhibits some autism spectrum disorder behaviors, lives with his mom and enjoys observing the eagles near his home. When a tornado damages his house and brings an eaglet to the ground, Axel summons a local raptor specialist to save the bird. Later, Axel's estranged father, Frank, arrives to repair the house, and many secrets are revealed, among them why Frank left and why the neighbors think he should stay away. The present-tense and third-person-omniscient narration are perfect choices (Axel is aware of, but often apart from, events around him), especially when he expresses frustration that adults close to him often lie to shield him from unpleasant truths. Bird trivia features prominently in the story, with avian behaviors ascribed to human characters (Frank is compared to a wild turkey; Axel to an eaglet waiting to fly), and the inclusion of a successfully functioning autistic adult is also a plus. With poems introducing most chapters, this makes a good choice for those looking for a soaring tale of family in its many forms.
