From the award-winning author of The First Rule of Punk comes the story of four kids who form an alternative Scout troop that shakes up their sleepy Florida town.* "Writing with wry restraint that's reminiscent of Kate DiCamillo... a beautiful tale." —
Kirkus Reviews, starred review
When three
very different girls find a mysterious invitation to a lavish mansion, the promise of adventure and mischief is too intriguing to pass up. Ofelia Castillo (a budding journalist), Aster Douglas (a bookish foodie), and Cat Garcia (a rule-abiding birdwatcher) meet the kid behind the invite, Lane DiSanti, and it isn't love at first sight. But they soon bond over a shared mission to get the Floras, their local Scouts, to ditch an outdated tradition. In their quest for justice, independence, and an unforgettable summer, the girls form their own troop and find something they didn't know they needed: sisterhood.
Celia C. Pérez is the author of
The First Rule of Punk, a 2018 Pura Belpré Author Honor Book;
Strange Birds, a 2020 Rise: A Feminist Book Project List Selection; and
Tumble, which received six starred reviews and is an NPR Best Book of 2022. She lives in Chicago with her family where, in addition to writing books about lovable weirdos and outsiders, she works as a librarian. She is originally from Miami, Florida, where roosters and peacocks really do wander the streets. Visit her at celiacperez.com.
Praise and accolades for STRANGE BIRDS:Washington Post Best Children's Books of 2019
An ALSC Notable Children's Book
Kirkus Best Children's Books of 2019
Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best Books of 2019
CSMCL's Best Multicultural Children's Books of 2019
A 2020 Rise: A Feminist Book Project List selection
Charlie May Simon Book Award
New Jersey Garden State Book Award
South Carolina Children's Book Award
South Dakota Children's Book Award
"
Strange Birds respects its readers’ intelligence and sophistication. Pérez’s charming story explores what is means to belong to a community while being willing to stage small but significant revolutions, all the while reveling in
the joy of childhood."
—Erika L. Sanchez,
New York Times bestselling author of
I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter for
The New York Times Book Review"
Thought-provoking, timely, and laugh-out-loud funny—
Strange Birds explores friendship, community, and the role each of us plays in creating a better world."
—
Aisha Saeed,
New York Times bestselling author of
Amal Unbound
"
Strange Birds is an
inspiring story about the power of truth, and of true friends."
—
Rebecca Stead,
New York Times bestselling author of the Newbery Medal winner
When You Reach Me
★ "Writing with wry restraint that's
reminiscent of Kate DiCamillo... a beautiful tale of the value of friendship against unconquerable odds."
—
Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ "Four unique personalities form a crew with a mission in this
engaging, well-plotted second novel from Pérez."
—
Publishers Weekly, starred review
★ "
A perfect title for school and public libraries seeking realistic books about friendship."
—
School Library Journal, starred review
★ "Perfect for preteens becoming aware that
friendships can be complicated, and that the world is more so."
—
The Horn Book,
starred review
Select praise and accolades for THE FIRST RULE OF PUNK:★ "Thoughtful."
—
Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ "Those who enjoy vivacious, plucky heroines... will eagerly embrace Malú."
—
School Library Journal, starred review
★ "A rowdy reminder that people are at their best when they aren't forced into neat, tidy boxes."
—
Publishers Weekly, starred review
A 2018 Pura Belpré Author Honor Book * An ALSC Notable Children's Book * A 2018 Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award Winner * A 2017 ABA Indies Introduce Title * A Kids' Indie Next List Pick * An E.B. White Read-Aloud Middle Reader Award finalist * A 2018 Boston Globe-Horn Book Fiction and Poetry Honor Book
