Nightjar
by Katya Balen
★★★★
Review
Nightjar is a simple but beautiful story that can be enjoyed by readers of any age. The front cover alone is absolutely gorgeous, but the sweet story inside is just as lovely.
The first thing that I loved about Nightjar is the physical book itself. The text is larger than your standard book with greater spacing between lines, making it very clear and accessible to readers who can struggle with traditional books. The chapters are very shorts and manageable, making it a quick and relaxing read. T
The storyline itself shares the journey of a young Jewish boy who is rapidly approaching his Bar Mitzvah. We learn of Noah's difficult relationship with his father and how he is not accepted for who he is - a kind, loving and gentle young man with a love of nature and animals. As the story progresses, we learn more about Noah and his family, and begin to understand the complexities of their situation. Despite an absence of "full-on action", I found this a captivating read that had me racing through the chapters.
Katya Balen captured the majestic Nightjar perfectly through this story and has a real talent making connections between the reader and the natural world. The whole story was sprinkled with love, friendship and nature's magic, creating a wonderfully beautiful little story.
I would recommend this book to readers of any age, particularly those who enjoy books about nature or the importance of family.
Dive Deeper
Key information
Author: Katya Balen
Illustrator: Richard Johnson
Release Date: 1st June 2023
Book type: Chapter, 104 pages, paperback (dyslexia-friendly)
Reader level: Growing (content 6+)
Overview
When Noah’s dad visits from New York, he and Noah come across an injured nightjar during a walk in the countryside. Noah is determined to save the bird, but his dad believes they should leave it alone to let nature take its course. As father and son argue, it becomes clear that Noah is angry about more than just the bird. He feels abandoned and misunderstood by his dad, who has moved to the US and started a new family there that doesn’t seem to have room for Noah. Can they find a way to build a new relationship and rediscover the common ground between them?
Should I read this book?
You should read this book if you...
love birds
enjoy short reads
enjoy stories about family
Reader level: Growing
Content: 6+
Help me read
- Nightjar: medium sized bird with long wings and short legs
- Jewish: People who are following of the Jewish religion (Judaism)
- Bar Mitzvah: special Jewish ceremony that celebrates a young male's transition to adulthood in the Jewish community.
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