Calling all readers, age 9 and up...(adults welcome too!)

Do you like writers like Kate DiCamillo, Beverly Cleary, Ann M. Martin and E.B White? How about a great story featuring unforgettable characters and real-life drama? Now, how about a chance to meet and talk with the author of a fantastic new book? We loved it and we think you will, too.

We're very excited to welcome N. West Moss to Hudson Valley Books For Humanity on Thursday, August 20, to spend some time with readers of her new book, Birdy! This book has quickly become one of the standout middle-grade titles of the year. The novel has received multiple starred reviews and is already being discussed as a Newbery Award contender.

Come and grab your copy and start reading with us! On the 20th, we'll have discussion questions, snacks, and time for you to ask questions and get your book signed by West.

About Birdy

"This coming-of-age novel delivers a profound exploration of grief, resilience, and the enduring bond between siblings." - Booklist, STARRED review

After the death of their mother, Birdy and Mouse are forced to start over in this debut novel about discovering where you belong-—for fans of Forever This Summer and The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise.

Eleven-year-old Birdy and her younger brother, Mouse, have always looked out for each other. They make the perfect team: Birdy is realistic and practical, while Mouse is affable and trusting. After their mother dies of cancer, Birdy and Mouse are forced to move out of the city to the country with relatives they’ve never met. Aunt Mitzie and Uncle Shadow’s house is full of organized chaos, and it takes Birdy time to adjust to having adults around. But the kitchen is always stocked, and both kids are allowed to play outside as often as they want. There’s only one problem: it’s all temporary. Their social worker has promised to find them a permanent home by the next school year, whether they want to leave or not. As the summer unfolds, Mouse starts to feel attached to their new life. But Birdy knows better—adults have never been reliable. When Birdy’s fears get the best of her, she makes a big mistake that could jeopardize their future.

Heartfelt and emotionally resonant, this literary coming-of-age novel explores the unbreakable bond between siblings—and how family can be found in the most unexpected places.

About N. West Moss

N. West Moss is the author of the story collection The Subway Stops at Bryant Park. Her essays and short stories have appeared in the New York Times, Salon, McSweeney’s, and many other publications. The recipient of three William Faulkner–William Wisdom gold medals and winner of the Saturday Evening Post ’s Great American Fiction Contest, she holds an MFA in creative writing and a certificate in narrative medicine from Columbia University. She works in New Jersey, where she lives with her husband.

Moss grew up in Croton on Teatown Road. Her childhood around Teatown Lake influenced this book a great deal. In fact, Birdy is dedicated to Warren Balgooyen, who was the first naturalist at Teatown many years ago,

Praise for Birdy

“...first-time novelist Moss’ nuanced portrayal of mourning, paired with richly drawn characters, creates a deeply affecting read. The narrative's unhurried pace allows space for Birdy’s emotions to unfold, making her gradual emergence from sorrow both believable and deeply moving. This resonant story celebrates the healing power of connection and the hope found in chosen family.”
—Booklist, STARRED review

“Moss’s debut for young readers stands out from the crowded shelf of novels about orphaned children by remaining refreshingly soothing and calm. . . A required purchase for elementary school and middle grade libraries and a story to hand any child with a soft heart.”
—School Library Journal, STARRED review

“Moss does an excellent job of bringing the readers into the protagonist’s thoughts … an emotionally complex portrait of a tween at a turning point in her life, offering readers a cathartic and engrossing narrative experience.”
—The Horn Book

"Sensitive language addresses the myriad challenges the protagonist faces, making her efforts to traverse processes of bereavement and change both understandable and heartbreaking."
—Publishers Weekly

“Birdy is spectacular. I was hooked from page one and fell in love with the entire cast of quirky and unforgettable characters, including the animals. Readers will applaud Birdy as she feels her way through the aftermath of her mother’s death.”
—Ann M. Martin, author of the Newbery Honor Book A Corner of the Universe and The Baby-Sitters Club series

“Some writers have a special gift to connect readers with their characters and their story from page one. N. West Moss is one of those writers. With the introduction of each lovable character, we find ourselves hoping, Here, here!"
—Kimberly Willis Holt, author of the National Book Award Winner When Zachary Beaver Came to Town and The Hurricane Girls

Contact the host of "Birdy" by N. West Moss: Author Event for Middle Grade Readers

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