Newly confident readers will love this book; it is a beautifully written, delightfully illustrated, enchanting tale.

Bird-watcher Maggie is desperate to find the last six birds to gain her gold badge, but Dad is too busy with his plants so she has to go to the zoo instead with her aunt and annoying brothers. Full of resentment and uninspired by seeing birds trapped in miserable captivity, Maggie is only interested when she finds a bird that is labelled a silverfinch, but is plainly not a silverfinch at all. The bird - which does not seem to be in any of Maggie's books at all - is clearly magical and mysterious so it seems only natural that when Maggie wakes up in the night she herself has grown wings and can - sort of, hesitantly - fly.

The book is perfectly pitched; there is some wonderful, rich writing about Maggie's first flight and the birds she meets but there is also genuine humour as she lands in a bin and emerges with KitKat wrappers and pepperami in her hair. The characters are vivid and enjoyable, not only the passionate and opinionated Maggie, but the rest of her family too, including her preoccupied Dad. Indeed, his beloved flowers turn out to have a vital role in the restoration of the moon bird.. There is a mounting urgency throughout, and I enjoyed the fact that the ending resolves not only the Moon Bird narrative but also the family tensions in a way that is entirely satisfactory. The suggested activities at the end are excellent in particular the one which discussed the theme of "change" in the book (literal change from girl to bird, changing feelings and the change from captivity to liberty) and then asked children to think about this theme in other books - I am sure this would prompt some rich wider discussion in such a way that every child could feel included.
These final activities were just one example of how everything in this book is done well. This is an age group and audience that does not always get the best that publishing has to offer. so it is very heartening to see a book for newly independent readers that is of such superb quality.

This is a great children’s fantasy book. Really will get the imagination flowing and lots to discuss and mull over.
It’s source on some named birds is good and identifying certain ones.

Maggie sees the bird in the zoo she is visiting. She read the plaque for information yet the bird didn’t look how it should have according to her reference books and her knowledge she had gained so far.

The magic happens after she returns to her home and later after spending time with her dad eating dinner she returned to bed. She tucks one of the birds feathers under her pillow.

It’s an enchanting book that at the end has suggestions, questions and things to draw.

Definitely recommend

This was a lovely short story about a girl who enjoys bird watching and ends up meeting a very special bird!

Maggie lives with her father who grows unusual plants and flowers. Maggie understands that his job is important, but wishes he had more time to spend with her. On a trip with her aunt and cousins to the local zoo, Maggie encounters an unusual bird that doesn't match the description of any bird she knows. However, a zoo is no place for this special and magical bird and Maggie might be the only person who can help it.

I loved the magical feeling created in this book and Maggie's exciting night time adventure. I loved the way things were resolved with her dad at the end of the story.

I think this would be a great chapter book for a young reader aged 6+.

You know, in reading Barrington Stoke, for example, you might find among their dyslexia-friendly, specialist publications something someone of any age should know about, and love and enjoy. This is part of a series similar to that, encouraging reading amongst the lesser fans of the pastime, and in a way it's in a perfect place and yet not the right one. It will certainly make a reader of anyone, but it's got such timeless qualities it should have the least marginal audience possible.

Ten year old Maggie hates the fact her dad has so much time for his gardening and less and less for her. Packed off to the zoo by an aunt one day, she stumbles on something not one of her bird books can help identify. It's looking terribly forlorn, however, and obviously should not be caged up – but then, what can little Maggie do? Anything and everything, on the evidence of these pages; for the introduction to the bird gives you the chills and the fantasy that follows is ripe with emotion, wonder and spectacle. It's very modern – much is made of accidents she makes, and current brand names get a mention, but it's certainly got that ageless quality the true classics can dip into. And I'd stick my neck out and call this one – it surely can stretch to appeal to non bird-lovers, it has a fresh and light sense of humour with its marvels, and it really is one to invest in, whoever is supposed to be reading it.