The Secret Language of Birds by Lynne Kelly

A neurodivergent tween finds friends and makes an amazing discovery at summer camp.

The Secret Language of Birds, Lynne Kelly, Delacorte Press, 2024. 240 Pages

• Reading Level: Middle Grades, Ages 8-12
• Recommended For: Ages 10-12

Nina loves birds. People though? And camp? That doesn’t sound very fun. But when Aunt Audrey, a camp director invites her to camp, Nina reluctantly accepts. At first she’s ready to head home early, but then she discovers two whooping cranes, nesting in the marsh behind camp. She also starts to tentatively befriend one cabin of campers who cheerfully dub themselves “the Oddballs.” With the help of the Oddballs, Nina contacts the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Since this whooping crane pair is nesting, Nina happily accepts the job as a monitor, aided by the Oddballs. She also finds a way to reach out to Iris, a neighbor who used to go to her school and who Nina desperately wants to befriend. The only person Nina doesn’t tell is Aunt Audrey. But she will find the right time … or won’t she?

The Secret Language of Birds is a lovely story about bird watching and finding one’s place. Nina finds friends at camp who are kind and accept her. In one sweet conversation, the girls lament to each other how hard it is to talk to people now that easy conversation starters are considered too childish. Nina is a sweet, if obsessive, heroine. She has big feelings that war with her self-awareness and is prone to anxiety. As we slowly learn, she and Iris have a shared embarrassing incident at school. Without language or any sensuality, this is a lovely story about a young girl who is different finding her place. The birds are a fun foil, though some of the explanations were a little too pointed for this reader.

Bottom Line: The Secret Language of Birds is a sweet story about one quirky, shy teen finding her own “flock” and learning to spread her wings. A lovely summer adventure that touches on serious themes of friendship, anxiety, and neurodivergence as well as stewardship.

Considerations:

• The Oddballs do a bit of sneaking around camp as they monitor the cranes, including breaking some rules, and Nina fibs about being on her period. This merits a good discussion: consequences will catch up with the well-meaning rule-breakers!
• A passing reference is made to birds evolving from dinosaurs.

Remember, unless a book is starred, a review is not necessarily a recommendation. Read more about our ratings here.

Recommended Reading at Redeemed Reader

• Book Review: With Just One Wing by Brenda Woods (another recent fiction involving a bird)
• Resource: Birds of a Feather: Bird Books for Kids (a bird booklist)
• Book Review: Across the Pond by Joy McCullough (a young girl settles into her new home, aided by birdwatching)

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