Through the Eyes of a Raptor

By Julie Hahnke and Cleo Qian

Book Overview

Orphaned upon her mother's death, thirteen-year-old Kelly MacBride is sent to live with a mysterious grandmother whose Highland estate whispers with intrigue. Aided by Gordie, an obsessive bagpiper... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0595426093
• ISBN13: 9780595426096
• Release Date: May 2007
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Length: 424 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 4.9" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Fabulous!!!!

I bought this book for my grandson and decided to look through it first. I couldn't put it down. Not only was it a great story but I learned so much through the authors well researched information. I wanted to hop on the next plane to Scotland, even though I'd already been there three times. I'll see it in a whole new light. Thank you author Hahnke I hope you'll give us more.

Scholarly and Clever!

Be transported to foggy Scotland - to a land of Celtic puzzles, a land of mysterious people - a land of bagpipers and shape-shifters. In this fabulous book, surprises abound. The characters and scenery truly make you feel that you are there sharing the adventures. This book often had me laughing out loud at the clever word play. I can't remember when I read a fictional book that was as well-researched as this one is. As a Children's Librarian, I have recommended this book to many customers and will continue to do so.

Not just for kids

For ages 9 to 12 the description says. Well, I'm sure they will enjoy it, but the tale's appeal goes well beyond those ages. I have been an adult for some time now, and when I got my copy I could hardly put it down. The action just keeps pulling you on to the next page. The book is a satisfying blend of interesting characters in an interesting place doing VERY interesting things. Hahnke's story is richly embroidered with a sense of the Scottish countryside and of the ancient roots of the culture which has developed there. Magic is always near the surface and nothing is as it first seems. Yes, I'm sure that today's sophisticated young people will appreciate this book which never attempts to speak down to them. But adults who relish a good story will enjoy their time in Julie Hahnke's world of Celtic magic, too.

Backward, Forward, Inside Out , Upside Down Review

I had the opportunity to read Through the Eyes of a Raptor forward, backward, in and out of sequence as it was being written. I must admit that I nagged Julie at the end of each chapter to send me the next one - even if I had already read it in a previous review. Chuckling humor and the three dimensional characters abound. Julie weaves some fascinating scientific facts about birds, orchids, and music into a rapidly moving plot that keeps the reader glued to the page. Her characters and especially their feelings are realistic as they struggle with grief, fear, disappointment, doubt, disillusionment in a world that they discover is neither black nor white. This book is artfully written and well researched with an authentic mythical base. It made me laugh and cry, wonder and believe. Like any good book, when I read the final page, I wanted the book and Kelly to continue. I wasn't ready to let the characters end for a time until the next book. I was thrilled when Julie asked me to illustrate the book, What fun it was to create the dormouse, the owl, the secret doorway (I especially liked drawing the bat and the squirrel) and make what I saw in my mind come to life. Marcia Atkinson Christensen

Wonderful for kids and adults alike

A fast paced tale, with lots of very well researched details about Scotland, it's past, it's myths and it's music. Fun to read with lots of hysterically funny moments as well as excitement, mystery and a keen look into Celtic lore. And she has woven in wonderful sidelines about orchids, raptors, bagpiping and Scottish games. The author creates great word pictures of the settings and the characters. I also read her authors blog and it too has wonderful information that makes learning about these areas fun. I highly recommend this for kids 10 - 100. I look forward to seeing the author's next book.