Bird Lake Moon

By Kevin Henkes

Book Overview

Told in alternating voices, this smart and engaging middle grade novel from the beloved Kevin Henkes is the story of twoboys coming together in friendship as they struggle with family conflicts and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• ISBN: 0545264804
• ISBN13: 9780545264808
• Release Date: January 2010
• Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
• Weight: 0.28 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Great Read!

I had read "Olive's Ocean" by Henkes in the past and was blown away (and I am a male in my 30s!). So it was an easy decision to read "Bird Lake Moon" when it came out. And I was not disappointed at all. Henkes' attention to detail (without long descriptions that get you off track), along with very real and natural responses from the characters, brings the story to life. And I am not saying that just to say that he does it well. Rather, reading this book is more like an experience than simply witnessing a story, and thus that realism and corresponding empathy engages the reader.

A Teacher's Perspective

This piece of Contemporary Realistic Fiction contains several deep themes including death, the development of moral character, sibling relationships, and friendship. The story would be a classic person vs. self conflict, but also contains a bit of person vs. society because of Mitch's current family situation. I could relate to Mitch's inner struggles as he attempted to right his own wrongs to save his friendship. I think everyone has experienced the remorse that follows bad choices and the inner tug-of-war that follows. We've all asked ourselves, "How do I make this right?" I also thought the contrast between the two families' dynamics was intensely interesting and thought provoking. The differences in the personalities of the two main characters could often be traced back to their prior family experiences. This book would be perfect for literature circles in the classroom. Small groups of students would benefit from discussing Mitch's struggle to develop moral character and the implications of his impulsive decision making. In addition, I woud keep this book handy for students encountering divorce and encourage them to think about how Mitch grows and develops through his family's changes.

Another touching novel that dives into the emotional storms of family loss

Twelve-year-old Mitch Sinclair just found out that his father has left him and his mother for another woman. Torn apart by the news, he and his mom go up to Bird Lake to stay with his grandparents for a while. Unfortunately, his grandparents seem to feel very uncomfortable with their two houseguests, creating an edgy atmosphere. To stay out of their way, Mitch spends as much time as he can away from the house, including swimming in the lake and exploring the empty house next door. Desperate for something solid to hold on to, he decides to claim the empty house as his own. He carves his initials into the railing and moves a few belongings under the porch. He begins dreaming that he and his mom might buy it for real and move in together. But then they arrive. Ten-year-old Spencer Stone has a seven-year-old sister named Lolly who annoys him to no end. They used to have an older brother, Matty, but he drowned when Spencer was two. Spencer doesn't remember him, but he can feel the sadness emanating from his parents, even after all this time. Then one day, his mom and dad announce that they are going for a little vacation, up to the house on Bird Lake, where Matty died. After avoiding the house since the accident, the family is finally going to decide whether to keep it or sell it. Mitch feels angry toward the Intruders. Another thing that's important is being taken away from him, and he decides to fight. He hatches a scheme to scare the family away with a ghost infestation. But then he has to start dealing with the guilt feelings sweeping over him. Just because his parents are causing him pain, does that give him the right to cause pain to others? Spencer loves the house on the lake, but he can see how stressed his mom is at being there. And then he begins witnessing strange occurrences. Are they messages from his dead brother? Award-winning author Kevin Henkes brings us another touching novel that dives into the emotional storms of family loss. He handles the fragile subject with honesty and sensitivity, offering it up through realistic characters. The chapters cleverly alternate between Mitch and Spencer, sharing different perspectives of the story. Henkes has a beautiful writing style and descriptive elegance that adds a special touch to this charming book. --- Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman, author of FINDING MY LIGHT and THE BLACK POND

IT will keep you on the edge of your seat

Reviewed by Brianne Plach (age 10) for Reader Views (7/08) Have you ever been convinced something is wrong and found out later that it wasn't that way? Imaginations are great things, except that sometimes your imagination can run wild and make you think something entirely different than the truth. Spencer is spending his summer vacation at Bird Lake. He is sure that there is a haunted house nearby. The house is rundown and he keeps finding clues that the house is haunted; but, is it just his imagination running wild, or is someone setting him up? Spencer makes a new friend in Mitch. Spencer spends a lot of time trying to convince Mitch that the house is truly haunted. But Mitch seems too skeptical to come around to Spencer's way of thinking. Does Mitch know something that Spencer doesn't? "Bird Lake Moon" is a great summer read. The two boys are spending the summer at Bird Lake. They are doing all the normal stuff that boys do during a vacation but there's a mystery to be solved while there. There are many adventures around the lake to keep the boys occupied. If you like mysteries and spooky old things, you will love "Bird Lake Moon" by Kevin Henkes. I'm sure he talks from experience when describing young boy's adventures. It is no surprise that Mr. Henkes is an award-winning author. He will keep you on the edge of your seat and entertain you from cover to cover. When you see the moon out in the sky this summer, think of all the fun you could have if you visited Bird Lake!

Great Book.

This is a great story about two boys who come together one summer at the lake. Both are dealing with tragedies that have occured in their lives. Spencer is trying to figure out about the death of his brother that occured when he was little and why noone talks about it. Mitch is dealing with the recent seperation of his parents. A great look at how they handle the situations and how they spend time together. Would highly recmmend this book.