The Ever-After Bird

By Ann Rinaldi

Book Overview

Now that her father is dead, CeCe McGill is left to wonder why he risked his life for the ragged slaves who came to their door in the dead of night. When her uncle, an ornithologist, insists she accompany him to Georgia on an expedition in search of the rare scarlet ibis, CeCe is surprised to learn there's a second reason for their journey: Along the way, Uncle Alex secretly points slaves north in the direction of the Underground Railroad. Set against the backdrop of the tumultuous pre-Civil War South, The Ever-After Bird is the story of a young woman's education about the horrors of slavery and the realization about the kind of person she wants to become.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0547258542
• ISBN13: 9780547258546
• Release Date: January 2010
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
• Length: 232 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 4.3" x 6.9"
• Age Range: 10 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 7

Customer Reviews

A Good Book, BUT...

Too short. Teehee! I wish it was as long as my alltime fave, The Story of Edgar Sawtelle.

Courtesy of Teens Read Too

If he hadn't been determined to help runaway slaves, he would still be alive. That's why CeCe McGill hates abolitionists. Her father devoted his life and their home to giving aid as part of the Underground Railroad, but it was also what ended his own life when he was shot. His death left CeCe an orphan. When CeCe's uncle, a doctor and an artist, arrives after her father's death, she is nervous about leaving the only home she's ever known to live with him in Ohio. It doesn't take long for her to realize he has a kind and gentle soul. So why is it a surprise when she learns he is an abolitionist just like her late father? The difference is that CeCe finds herself more directly involved in the abolitionist movement. Uncle Alex and his assistant, a young, black college student, are planning a trip to the South. Uncle Alex wants to study rare birds, and his assistant wants to research the institution of slavery for her studies at Oberlin College. CeCe is invited along for the adventure. The three travelers must adhere to the behaviors and customs of the South. Uncle Alex's assistant, Earline, will be assuming the role of slave, and CeCe and her uncle must act in character as her owner and mistress. If they are discovered, the punishment could result in death. CeCe is well aware that her uncle will be doing more than just searching for the scarlet ibis know as the Ever-After bird. He will also be helping point slaves in the direction of freedom. CeCe's adventure is filled with educational opportunities as she learns about the world of rare birds and the workings of slavery. She sees the hope of freedom, but it is often colored with the tragedy of abusive treatment and even death. All she hopes is that they survive and, in some small way, make the world a better place. Ann Rinaldi is well known for her historical fiction. THE EVER-AFTER BIRD paints a unique picture of slavery in the South, and the fight fought by brave individuals who wanted to see its end. Her descriptions compare the gentle refinement of the South with the startling reality of life behind the grand plantation houses and blooming magnolia bushes. Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"

Flamingnet.com Top Choice Book-loved the characters

When CeCe McGill's father gets killed, Cece just wants everything to be a bad dream. With her mother dead, too, CeCe needs someone to take care of her. All of a sudden, a man who claims to be her uncle comes to take CeCe in. CeCe has heard many stories about this man and not all of them are good. CeCe agrees to live with Uncle Alex, but with hesitation. CeCe finds herself whisked away in an adventure of a lifetime. Being a famous bird watcher and painter, Uncle Alex uses this profession to get into plantations in the South where he ends up freeing slaves. Uncle Alex brings along his assistant, a student at Oberlin College and a former slave, but CeCe doesn't seem to get along with her very well. When CeCe has to save her and sees how terrible slavery is, it changes her forever. This book is thebest historical fiction book I have ever read! The author,Ann Rinaldi, does a fantastic job of making you feel like you were part of the story, sitting right by CeCe and Uncle Alex. I loved the characters that the author created, especially warm-hearted Uncle Alex. The way that the author talked about slavery really moved me. It made me think differently about life back then. I could not put the book down, and I was intrigued with the story even when there was only background information. I think that the author ended the book well without leaving you wondering about what really happened to the characters. If you like historical fiction, you won't want to put down The Ever-After Bird. Reviewed by a young adult student reviewer Flamingnet Book Reviews Teen books reviewed by teen reviewers

Vani's review's on The Ever After Bird

The Ever After bird by Ann Rinaldi is a captivating, exciting, and danger-filled story. You begin at CeCe's house (the main girl) in the north with her abolitionist father, a cruel and stone-cold man. But when CeCe's father dies, her uncle Alex is given custody of CeCe. Her uncle is a doctor and is going to the south to paint birds (one of his hobbies) and offers to take CeCe with him, and Earline (a runaway slave). CeCe decides to go with her uncle, whom she starts to love more and more. As CeCe is traveling down the roads from plantation to plantation she will learn along with you about slavery (is it good or bad) and many other things, pleasant and not so pleasant. I feel that Ann Rinaldi, the author of this romantic, tragic, heart-breaking, and heart-warming story does not hold back the tragedies of life. She does not hold back the reality of life. This fascinating book takes you with CeCe from the middle, beginning, and end of her life. Solving problems and learning the wonderful, romantic, horrible, tragic, spiritual, and many more parts of life

Age discrepancy

One of Rinaldi's better recent efforts. A somewhat transparent look at the evils of slavery, but a convincing one. My biggest problem about this book was that the main character, CeCe, was said to be 13-going-on-14, but was treated throughout the book at much younger. Especially when dealing with a time period when childhood was much shorter than we're accustomed to, it seemed odd that a girl of that age would be treated as needing so much protection. Other than that, the book seemed realistic and would definitely be good for middle school-age children to learn about slavery. And, of course, I loved all the references to Oberlin!