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Title: Stonebird
Author: Mike Revell
Narrator: Joe Jameson
Format: Unabridged
Length: 6 hrs and 25 mins
Language: English
Release date: 02-05-15
Publisher: Quercus
Genres: Kids, Fiction
Publisher's Summary:
When ten-year-old Liam moves house to be closer to his dementia-suffering grandma, he's thrown into an unfamiliar place, with a family that seems to be falling apart. Liam doesn't remember what his grandma was like before she became ill. He only knows the witchlike old woman who snaps and snarls and eats her birthday cards. He wants to fix it, but he can't.
Walking his dog one day, Liam discovers an old stone gargoyle in a rundown church, and his life changes in impossible ways. The gargoyle is alive. It moves unseen in the night, acting out Liam's stories. And stories can be dangerous things...
Seeking revenge against the bullies at his new school, Liam tells a story about the gargoyle attacking them. When one of them ends up in hospital, a regretful Liam vows never to go near the gargoyle again.
But his grandma's illness is getting worse, his mum isn't coping, and his sister is skipping school... What if the gargoyle is the only thing that can save Liam's family?
Critic Reviews:
"I loved this and read it in one sitting.... It's a really special debut, full of heart, hope and the power of storytelling." (Bookseller)
Members Reviews:
A delightful new voice in middle grade fiction
How good is STONEBIRD? I read it straight through in one sitting, because I had to know about the gargoyle. And because I was afraid if I stopped reading, something bad (okay, worse) might happen to Danny. Mike Revell did an outstanding job drawing me in as a reader with his spot-on voice, the touch of magical realism, and the oh-so-familiar family/school drama that so many kids go through every day.
As a writer, I often find myself reading books with a critical eye. But, this book was so good that the writer part of my brain took a break, and the reader part of me found itself lost in the adventure.
Bravo to Mike Revell on his debut novel. This is an author to watch!
A testament to the power of stories
Very well written first novel by this author. The characters were believable and relatable and the dialog was comfortable and believable. The story was very engaging and there was enough mystery to keep it exciting throughout the book. I recommend this to anyone from 5th grade and up.
Good debut, interesting story.
Liam is eleven years old. His absent father moved out of home for another woman several years ago, and his mother has never coped. Now his maternal grandmother being in a care facility with dementia, has pushed his mum over the edge.
But there are 2 mysteries to distract Liam from these cares. And from Matt, the bully, who uses his 2 henchmen to outnumber Liam like a lily-livered coward. Grandma's diary of her teen years hints to a mysterious disappearance, and also points Liam to the enigma of the gargoyle, Stonebird.
What I liked is the depth of the story, such as the unflinching look at alcoholism and dementia. The exploration of memory, and it's importance to character. The war's effects on France.
From a literary perspective, there was symmetry in the circular motion of the plot, to a satisfying resolution.
The minor quibbles: the voice grated on me at times. It came from some of the analogies, which didn't reflect the voice of an 11-year-old. And the flatness of the emotion, when others' emotions are put up for display, especially Mum's.
