Of a Feather

"A perfect tale of outcasts, friendship, falconry, and the families we create.”--Tui T. Sutherland, New York Times bestselling author of the Wings of Fire series

In the vein of Barbara O’Connor’s Wish, a moving, poignant story told in alternating perspectives about a down-on-her-luck girl who rescues a baby owl, and how the two set each other free.

Great horned owl Rufus is eight months old and still can’t hunt. When his mother is hit by a car, he discovers just how dangerous the forest can be.

Reenie has given up on adults and learned how to care for herself—a good thing, since she’s sent to live with an aunt she’s never met. Yet this aunt has a wonderful secret: she’s a falconer who agrees to help Reenie catch an injured passage hawk in the wild and rehabilitate it.

When Reenie traps bedraggled Rufus, his eyes lock onto her heart, and they form a powerful friendship. But can Rufus learn to trust in the outside world and fly free? And can Reenie open her heart enough to truly soar?

• Dual Perspective Story: Follow the alternating voices of Reenie, a lonely girl who has given up on adults, and Rufus, an orphaned great horned owl who must learn to survive.
• Friendship Between Girl and Animal: Discover an unlikely bond as Reenie rescues the injured Rufus, and the two outcasts begin to heal each other in unexpected ways.
• Found Family: When Reenie is sent to live with the falconer aunt she’s never met, she discovers that family isn’t just something you’re born into, but something you can build.
• A Coming-of-Age Journey: A heartfelt story about learning to trust, opening your heart after it’s been broken, and finding the courage to soar.
• Falconry and Wildlife: Explore the fascinating world of falconry as Reenie and her aunt work to rehabilitate injured birds of prey in the beautiful Vermont wilderness.

"Set in Vermont, the story is fleshed out by thought-provoking forays into the ethics of hunting and the powerlessness of children in determining their home lives....Unusual and poignant—full of the depth and contradictions of life."—Kirkus    "A tender tale that reminds readers that families come in all forms and that the greatest rewards come from opening oneself to all that life has to offer."—Booklist   "A compelling narrative of coping, loss, and learning to trust."—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books   “Dayna writes the inner thoughts of animals better than anyone I know, and I’m sure readers are going to fall in love with Rufus the fierce and lovable great horned owl, just like I did! This sweet, funny story of a prickly girl and the owl she helps rescue is a perfect tale of outcasts, friendship, falconry, and the families we create.”—Tui T. Sutherland, New York Times bestselling author of the Wings of Fire series   "I love this story of falconry, family, and finding your way in a big, scary world. Reenie and Rufus absolutely stole my heart!" —Kate Messner, author of Chirp and the Ranger in Time series