A Boy Is Not a Bird by Edeet Ravel – Book Review

Title: A Boy Is Not a Bird Author: Edeet Ravel Publisher: Groundwood Books Release Date: August 3, 2021

It’s 1941, and Natt enjoys a relatively easeful and innocent childhood in the small town of Zastavna. While Natt knows war is raging elsewhere, it does not hit home until the Russian invasion reaches his town. Upon their takeover, the Russians usher in changes, some of which Natt welcomes. Now, he gets to learn Russian at school with new teachers and sees a chance to become a Young Pioneer. On the other hand, food insecurity, secret Hebrew lessons, and arrests – including of his own father – give pause. They also give Natt a truer glimpse into the ugly realities of war. Some try to shield Natt from these grim truths, but there is no escaping his own fears, especially once he himself is arrested.

A Boy Is Not a Bird by Edeet Ravel depicts a true albeit often neglected history through its depiction of the World War II’s impact in Europe’s far eastern countries. Caught between powerful nations, countries, like Romania, and their inhabitants, like Natt’s family, bend to the will of their invaders, fearing for their lives. Their tales bring to life the grim prospects for individuals living in an area with seemingly scant power to stop the relentless drive of the Russians and the Nazis. Unfortunately, the way author presents Natt’s perspective may inhibit some readers’ understanding about the larger historical events in the novel’s backdrop. Still, those realities, the core subject matter of the novel, is vastly interesting. It is made that much more powerful for being based on the life of Ravel’s teacher. The true-to-life story is rich, and as only part of a larger trilogy Natt’s story will entice readers to learn more about his fate.

Overall, the novel provides many moments that can be used to prompt discussion or build background knowledge for a more extensive research project. There is serious content to explore. Even though Natt’s voice reads at an elementary level, the novel’s careful approach to the realities and horrors of war make A Boy Is Not a Bird a suitable and appropriate upper elementary novel. In fact, educators may find this text a fruitful complement to a study of World War II, offering the chance for deeper learning about the war’s effects in less-known theaters of the war.

Thank you to Edelweiss+ and publisher, Groundwood Books, for an eARC of this book.

Classroom Applications

• Cross-Curricular Unit – Teach the novel in conjunction with a nonfiction study of World War II, especially ones that focus on the different theaters of the war.
• Literature Circles – Use novel for small groups or choice reading with a variety of books that focus on World War II.

Nonfiction Connections

The list below outlines topics that will enrich your students’ understanding of the novel.

• World War II
• WWII – Russia & Eastern Europe
• WWII – Romania
• 20^th Century Russian (USSR) History

Book Companions

The following are great books to pair with A Boy Is Not a Bird. In parenthesis are the specific aspects students could explore when synthesizing across the texts.

• Grenade by Alan Gratz (Character Connections, Nonfiction Connections, Themes)
• The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne (Character Connections, Nonfiction Connections, Themes)
• We Are Not Free by Traci Chee (Character Connections, Nonfiction Connections, Themes)
• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (Character Connections, Nonfiction Connections, Themes)

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