Flight of the Puffin by Ann Braden – Book Review

Title: Flight of the Puffin Author: Ann Braden Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books Release Date: May 4, 2021

Libby desperately wants to break free from her family’s reputation, a reputation that they’re bullies. Jack wants to save his school, but as he tries, he struggles to understand and accept the need for gender-neutral bathrooms. Vincent is incessantly picked on about his clothes and interests. T, a nonbinary young person, is homeless after being kicked out of an unaccepting home. In Flight of the Puffin, Libby helps them all, including herself, by simply putting a little kindness into the world.

The alternating perspectives in Ann Braden’s Flight of the Puffin make for a quick read. Yet, that quickness comes at the expense of exploring each characters’ depth and complexity. Everyone is met, but it’s harder to truly know them. It’s a testament to Braden they are worth knowing because even in a short time it’s evident the characters are interesting, unique, and awesome. Plus, with action driving the plot at a speedy pace, readers are left feeling as though these amazing young people are simply contrived. As a result, the characters, especially T, are woefully underdeveloped. Despite this limitation, the Flight of the Puffin conveys a powerful, important message. It shows how simple acts of kindness can change lives, hearts, and minds. Other elements of the story are cobbled together, but that idea resonates and remains prominent, ringing loud and true.

Once started, educators and students alike will be eager to finish reading Flight of the Puffin. Its quick pace will pull readers through the story even as its plot gives reason to pause for one of its many opportunities for discussion. In addition, the potential for students to use its message to motivate a social activism project gives reason to include the book in classroom curriculums. It also means the Flight of the Puffin would make the perfect novel for morning meeting time or class periods focused on social-emotional learning. It has the potential to be an avenue for thoughtful reflection and subsequent action.

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

Classroom Applications

• Morning Meeting or SEL Groups – Use the novel as a way to have students connect with one another and support each other in positive ways.
• Book Club or Book Exchange – Share the novel with students that enjoy reading realistic fiction and books about the power of kindness.

Nonfiction Connections

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

• Power of Kindness
• Science of Positivity
• Gender Identities
• Transgender Youth

Book Companions

The following are great books to pair with Flight of the Puffin. In parenthesis are the specific aspects students could explore when synthesizing across the texts.

• Wonder by J. Palacio (Character Connections, Themes, Plot Structure)
• Posted by John David Anderson (Character Connections, Themes)
• Starfish by Lisa Fripps (Character Connections, Themes)

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