BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
Johnson, Angela. 2004. BIRD. New York: Dial Books.
SUMMARY
BIRD by Angela Johnson is a story about a young girl trying to find her stepfather. She runs away from her Cleveland home to rural Alabama in her search for him. She hides near a family home and helps herself to their food while they are at church on Sundays. Before long, a young boy who lives in that house, named Ethan discovers her. Later, she meets Jay, another boy in the town. Bird misses the comforts of home and wonders upon a kind woman named Mrs. Pritchard who offers her food and shelter. BIRD is told from the alternating points of view of Jay, Ethan and Bird. Each of them is connected in the story. Ultimately, the reader learns that Bird’s stepfather is Ethan’s uncle. In another twist of fate, Jay’s dead brother was the donor for Ethan’s new heart. These connections are revealed subtly through as the story unfolds. Ultimately, Bird discovers that what she is searching for (a father) cannot be found in Alabama. Her stepfather is not the same man she knew.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Angela Johnson’s novel BIRD is told from the points of view of three children who initially do not know each other and are seemingly unconnected. Each chapter reveals the inner thoughts of the characters, and Johnson’s narrative is delicate and somewhat poetic. When describing Bird’s mother, Johnson states “The world whispers when Mama is near.” Her narrative is easy to read, but initially, the reader may be confused by the format. Each chapter, the reader must take note of who is telling the story. There is little to differentiate the point of view except the experiences being shared. The dialect and prose are similar between the three characters.
Johnson does not describe the character’s physical traits, however, the cover is illustrated with a young girl representing Bird sitting in a tree. Only her legs are shown, and it is clear that Bird is an African American girl. Johnson does not describe any physical traits until the last few chapters of the book. She describes Bird’s new Afro after she has cut her hair. In addition, Jay refers to his mother’s beaded braids being covered by a scarf. Each of these descriptions acts as cultural markers in the text, adding to the authenticity of the narrative. It is worth noting, though, that Johnson does not find it necessary to describe every detail of the characters (i.e. skin tone, hair texture, etc). Perhaps because she is writing this from an “insider’s” perspective, those kinds of descriptions are not deemed necessary.
Other cultural markers in the text include the descriptions of food including collard greens prepared by Mrs. Pritchard. Collard greens are a food typically identified in African American cooking. Johnson does not use a distinct dialect in the conversations of the characters, however, occasionally the characters use ‘cause or tell’em in their speech. In addition, Mrs. Pritchard reveals to Bird that her husband was a Tuskegee Airman. Overall, the cultural markers in BIRD are not overt, but are subtly revealed throughout the story. This adds to the authenticity of the work.
BIRD deals with many of the themes popular in African American children’s literature. Some of the themes Johnson deals with in this novel include friendships. Bird develops friendships easily with new people. However, she also seeks to rebuild her broken family. This is another theme seen in African American children’s literature. Children are often depicted breaking away and then returning to the comfort of their family.
Johnson’s novel ends abruptly, which may leave some readers unsatisfied. However, the prose throughout the story is beautiful and tender. The three main characters are fully developed and complex. The work is heartfelt and tender, and Johnson’s use of language make it an enjoyable read.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
“Johnson reveals the inner thoughts of these characters, as they move around one another, occasionally touching, but preoccupied with their individual problems. Readers see how small kindnesses can ease the grip of grief and how large gestures–the literal giving of a heart–can redound to the giver's credit.” –School Library Journal
“Some of the connections between characters seem stretched, particularly the links made through the extraordinary kindness of aging Mrs. Pritchard, who knows just what to ask and when. But Johnson writes with a poet's knowledge of rhythm and knows how to use the space between words; the disconnect between what the boys think and what they say is especially well done. “ –Booklist
CONNECTIONS**Read other books by Angela Johnson such as: THE FIRST PART LAST; HEAVEN
Johnson, Angela. 2004. BIRD. New York: Dial Books.
SUMMARY
BIRD by Angela Johnson is a story about a young girl trying to find her stepfather. She runs away from her Cleveland home to rural Alabama in her search for him. She hides near a family home and helps herself to their food while they are at church on Sundays. Before long, a young boy who lives in that house, named Ethan discovers her. Later, she meets Jay, another boy in the town. Bird misses the comforts of home and wonders upon a kind woman named Mrs. Pritchard who offers her food and shelter. BIRD is told from the alternating points of view of Jay, Ethan and Bird. Each of them is connected in the story. Ultimately, the reader learns that Bird’s stepfather is Ethan’s uncle. In another twist of fate, Jay’s dead brother was the donor for Ethan’s new heart. These connections are revealed subtly through as the story unfolds. Ultimately, Bird discovers that what she is searching for (a father) cannot be found in Alabama. Her stepfather is not the same man she knew.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Angela Johnson’s novel BIRD is told from the points of view of three children who initially do not know each other and are seemingly unconnected. Each chapter reveals the inner thoughts of the characters, and Johnson’s narrative is delicate and somewhat poetic. When describing Bird’s mother, Johnson states “The world whispers when Mama is near.” Her narrative is easy to read, but initially, the reader may be confused by the format. Each chapter, the reader must take note of who is telling the story. There is little to differentiate the point of view except the experiences being shared. The dialect and prose are similar between the three characters.
Johnson does not describe the character’s physical traits, however, the cover is illustrated with a young girl representing Bird sitting in a tree. Only her legs are shown, and it is clear that Bird is an African American girl. Johnson does not describe any physical traits until the last few chapters of the book. She describes Bird’s new Afro after she has cut her hair. In addition, Jay refers to his mother’s beaded braids being covered by a scarf. Each of these descriptions acts as cultural markers in the text, adding to the authenticity of the narrative. It is worth noting, though, that Johnson does not find it necessary to describe every detail of the characters (i.e. skin tone, hair texture, etc). Perhaps because she is writing this from an “insider’s” perspective, those kinds of descriptions are not deemed necessary.
Other cultural markers in the text include the descriptions of food including collard greens prepared by Mrs. Pritchard. Collard greens are a food typically identified in African American cooking. Johnson does not use a distinct dialect in the conversations of the characters, however, occasionally the characters use ‘cause or tell’em in their speech. In addition, Mrs. Pritchard reveals to Bird that her husband was a Tuskegee Airman. Overall, the cultural markers in BIRD are not overt, but are subtly revealed throughout the story. This adds to the authenticity of the work.
BIRD deals with many of the themes popular in African American children’s literature. Some of the themes Johnson deals with in this novel include friendships. Bird develops friendships easily with new people. However, she also seeks to rebuild her broken family. This is another theme seen in African American children’s literature. Children are often depicted breaking away and then returning to the comfort of their family.
Johnson’s novel ends abruptly, which may leave some readers unsatisfied. However, the prose throughout the story is beautiful and tender. The three main characters are fully developed and complex. The work is heartfelt and tender, and Johnson’s use of language make it an enjoyable read.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
“Johnson reveals the inner thoughts of these characters, as they move around one another, occasionally touching, but preoccupied with their individual problems. Readers see how small kindnesses can ease the grip of grief and how large gestures–the literal giving of a heart–can redound to the giver's credit.” –School Library Journal
“Some of the connections between characters seem stretched, particularly the links made through the extraordinary kindness of aging Mrs. Pritchard, who knows just what to ask and when. But Johnson writes with a poet's knowledge of rhythm and knows how to use the space between words; the disconnect between what the boys think and what they say is especially well done. “ –Booklist
CONNECTIONS**Read other books by Angela Johnson such as: THE FIRST PART LAST; HEAVEN
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