Axel's fascination with birds takes center stage. His missing then not missing father, his autism, his desire not to be treated as a baby, his love of a dog are also part of the story. Oh yes, there is a tornado. Family, however, is at the heart of the story. ( )

Schneider Family Book Award

Axel lives with his mom, Byrd, and is close with their neighbors: a couple, George and Emmett; their dog, Ray; and George's sister, who Axel calls Aunt Nancy. Axel's dad Frank used to live with them, too - he built the little house they live in, and Byrd's potting shed - but then he only came every other Saturday, and lately, he hasn't come at all. This is a big mystery to Axel, who prefers plain, straightforward speaking and no surprises. Axel's school friend, Daniel, provides the consistency that Frank doesn't, visiting every other Saturday, and Ray is always around for walks in the woods, where Axel has been watching an eagle nest (aerie). When a storm knocks down the eagles' tree, and sends another tree through the roof of Axel and Byrd's house, Axel helps to rescue an injured eaglet.

At nearly 400 pages, this is on the long side for middle grade, and it's not action-packed or fast-paced at all; however, there's no part that's particularly slow, either - it's a very good book for the right readers, featuring a wonderful family - both biological and found.

Quotes

Some mysteries can he solved quickly. Some mysteries go on for a long time. The best Axel can do is show up and wonder. The answers will come eventually. (5)

Friendship Club is part of Fairview's W.I.N. time. What I Need. The club isn't only for autistic kids or anxious kids or quiet kids. It is for anyone who needs Friendship Club and that makes it pretty great, too. (24)

"I try. I do, but I feel like sometimes my insides are telling me what to do and it is definitely not what everyone else is doing." (Daniel, 82)

This is how an eagle soars. (poem at beginning of chapter 9)

Why is it so easy for some people to tell the truth and so very hard for others? (150)

"Sometimes people want us to be one thing, and we need to be something else." (Dr. Martin, 175)

"I know you don't like change, Axel. But sometimes change is the only way we can move forward." (Byrd, 324)

Outer cuticle: the outside layer of egg's shell, must be tough enough to protect embryo as it grows, fragile enough to break during hatch (quote beginning of chapter 36) ( )