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Flight of the Puffin
Flight of the Puffin | Ann Braden
7 posts | 9 read | 7 to read
The author of The Benefits of Being an Octopus delivers a stirring novel in which one small act of kindness ripples out to connect four kids in need of support. Libby comes from a long line of bullies. To cope, she leaves motivational postcards around town for others who might feel as belittled as she does. When she hears about a kid on the other side of the country who's getting the bully treatment, she mails him a postcard saying: "You're amazing." That kid is Vincent. His plan to stop the bullying backfired in a big way, so he's stopped going to school. But when he gets Libby's note, he's so moved by her gesture that he wants to help someone, too. He starts bringing food to T, who's homeless and living on a sidewalk. T doesn't identify as male or female, and ran away from home because their family wouldn't accept them. As T and Vincent get to know each other, T helps build Vincent's confidence, and inspires him to write to a kid he saw in the newspaper recently. That kid is Jack. He's been petitioning to keep his small school open; it might lose funding if it doesn't make some changes. One of them is to add a gender-neutral bathroom--making transgender students a hot-button issue at the school board meeting. Jack gets misquoted in a newspaper that Vincent reads, and Vincent sends him a letter explaining how we all need to listen better and let people be who they are. Vincent's letter helps Jack start thinking more deeply, as does meeting Libby, who is astounded at how much change her small act of hopefulness has wrought . . . and will continue to ripple out.
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Daisey
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This is story told in four voices. Two of the characters are in Vermont and two are in Seattle, and each is trying to find their place in the world. They face bullying and difficulty, but react with kindness and grow from their experiences. Their kindness brings them together and let‘s them know they‘re not alone. The story specifically promotes acceptance and kindness for nonbinary and trans youth.

#MiddleGrade #TRS2022

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Daisey
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It‘s a dreary, rainy Saturday morning, so I baked a batch of muffins and am reading a few chapters of this book.

#MiddleGrade #TRS2022 #BookAndBreakfast

Cinfhen Muffins look yum 😋 2y
Daisey @Cinfhen They were delicious and healthier than most muffins I‘ve made recently! 2y
Cinfhen The blueberries look so plump & delicious 2y
57 likes3 comments
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Nebklvr
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Transcendent. A story of being who you are meant to be. There is a wonderful feeling of community.

Bibliomania This looks beautiful! 2y
Nebklvr @Bibliomania It was lovely 2y
36 likes2 comments
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MandaMT
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Pickpick

Beautiful story about connection and acceptance. Libby‘s family is full of bullies- she refuses to become one. Vincent finds solace in triangles while being harassed at school. Jack is coping with the loss of his brother as his school is in danger of being shut down. T lives on the street. 4 isolated kids are drawn together by words of encouragement and acts of kindness. This book discusses trans identities in a way kids can understand.

megnews Beautiful cover 3y
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MandaMT
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I love the way Braden frames kids lives in rural Vermont. I see many of my students in this character.

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Lovesbooks87
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Pickpick

Picked up this book because of the cover. 😍 But the story in side is just as beautiful! Libby comes from a long line of bullies and wants to be different. Vincent lives across the country and is being bulled for being different. T is living on a rainy sidewalk trying to survive. Jack has a big heart and lives in a rural town and just wants to keep his school open but doesn‘t understand changes that need to be made to his school. 👇🏻

Lovesbooks87 👆🏻But when a message of hope is sent to one of these child a chain reaction is sat into motion and even though all those kids live in different places of the country all of them will be touched with messages of hope. These messages will show them empathy, have to be brave and understanding. I loved the message that this amazing book gave! (edited) 4y
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Lovesbooks87
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Saturday morning reading with my reading buddy Brillo! Cone of shame take two for the animals in our house! 🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️