Wild Bird

By: Wendelin Van Draanen

Narrated by: Alex McKenna

From the award-winning author of The Running Dream and Flipped comes a remarkable portrait of a girl who has hit rock bottom but begins a climb back to herself at a wilderness survival camp.

3:47 a.m. That’s when they come for Wren Clemmens. She’s hustled out of her house and into a waiting car, then a plane, and then taken on a forced march into the desert. This is what happens to kids who’ve gone so far off the rails, their parents don’t know what to do with them anymore. This is wilderness therapy camp. Eight weeks of survivalist camping in the desert. Eight weeks to turn your life around. Yeah, right.

The Wren who arrives in the Utah desert is angry and bitter, and blaming everyone but herself. But angry can’t put up a tent. And bitter won’t start a fire. Wren’s going to have to admit she needs help if she’s going to survive.

"I read Wild Bird in one long mesmerized gulp. Wren will break your heart—and then mend it." —Nancy Werlin, National Book Award finalist for The Rules of Survival

"Van Draanen’s Wren is real and relatable, and readers will root for her." —VOYA, starred review

Critic reviews

Praise for Wild Bird:

"Engrossing and inspiring." —PW

"Van Draanen’s Wren is real and relatable, and readers will root for her." —VOYA, starred review

"Riveting... Van Draanen makes palpable both the outer desert landscape and Wren's intense inner emotions. A memorable book about family, friendship, forgiveness, and second chances." —Kirkus Reviews

"A strikingly raw and emotional story. The first-person narrative perfectly captures Wren’s cynical yet vulnerable teen voice." —SLJ

"What a magnificent book! Inspirational, insightful, and instantly relatable.” –Callan McAuliffe, “Bryce” in the movie Flipped

“This impactful, gorgeous, insightful novel will touch you in a deep, extraordinary way.” – Madeline Carroll, “Julie” in the movie Flipped

"An involving tale of a middle-schooler who took a very wrong turn but manages to straighten her own path." —The Bulletin

"Spellbinding" —Midwest Book Review

"I read Wild Bird in one long mesmerized gulp. Wren will break your heart—and then mend it." —Nancy Werlin, National Book Award finalist for The Rules of Survival

“Wild Bird grabbed me by the wrist on page one—it’s riveting.” —Jenny Hubbard, author of And We Stay, a Printz Honor Book

“An exhilarating story of survival and second chances.” —Dana Reinhardt, author of Tell Us Something True

“This was an absolute one-sit read and I recommend it highly.” —Rene Kirkpatrick, University Bookstore, Seattle

“Wow! This book is a gem. I could feel the heat, the cold, the fear and frustration at every turn of the page.” —Valerie Lewis, Hicklebee's Bookstore

Fantastic in Every Way - Get it!

Sometimes a book title and blurb are intriguing but fall short. Not this one! This book absolutely delivers and then some. It's inspiring and it makes you think - no matter what age you may be. This review would in no way be complete without mentioning the narrator. Her raspy voice, inflection and cadence simple made the book real. Alex McKenna may be my new favorite narrator (along with Scott Brick). Anyhow, well done to the author and narrator. This book is the total package. I'll be reading more by the author and also the narrator!

owo

OwO is a meme emoticon popular among role-players and furries. It is also well-known from popular copypastas where the writers use baby language to say some rather good stuff.

BEST BOOK

This book was amazing, I think every young adult or teen should read this. Even parents! It was a fantastic book that is funny, makes you think, and just is over all one of my favorites.

inspiring!

Loved it. Excellent narration and character development. Real...a must read for every teenager and parent of teens.

Yes! You must listen to this book!

This is one of those stories that captures your heart from the very first word. It is beautifully written and the reader is perfect.