Customer Reviews

Swordbird

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

What a diffrent way of writting. Using birds instead of people was a fantastic idea. We loved it.

Not far outside of Stone-Run Forest an evil bird, Lord Turnatt, is gaining power. He's using slavebirds to build a fortress. And his thieving has caused the Cardinal and Blue Jay tribes to declare war on each other, even though they've been friends for a very long time. Little do the Cardinals and Blue Jays know that a much worse enemy is preparing an attack.

If the Cardinals and Blue Jays are going to survive, they'll need to work together. With help from unexpected friends, escaped prisoners, and the mythical Swordbird, they just might make it through, and defeat Lord Turnatt. It will take the talents and abilities of many to overpower evil. But if they can discover how to call Swordbird, they know they can survive.

SWORDBIRD is an animal adventure that's not just good versus evil, it's about faith and friendship, too. This book is fun and easy for younger kids, especially since the author is (or was when she wrote it) a twelve-year-old girl!

Reviewed by: Carrie Spellman

Swordbird is a marvelous book! I am definitely a bird fan now! I highly recommend it. I quote three professors' reviews, a martial arts film star's comments and three kids' feedback to support my point of view.

Hi, Nancy.

I enjoyed your story. The best part is the way you write -- crisp, clear, not a wasted word. The story as well is tidy, pleasant, and compelling.

I loved your use of language -- your precise use of verbs such as "pinioned", "scurry", "bobbed", "gurgles", "rippled", etc, the made-up pronouns with such clarity (e.g. "anybird") and the images like "a thick wall of pines". The names and terms you used drew me into the story. "Slavebird", "Flame-back" for a cardinal, "Skylion" for a blue jay, "Bone-squawk", and "Swordbird" are all in a true fantasy fashion. The index of names at the end is kind of a treat. Actually all the extra stuff enhanced the book appropriately.

Your book is brilliant in all of its detail and craft.

Linda Leonard Lamme,

Professor of Children's Literature, Ph.D.

University of Florida

I read Swordbird last weekend and was amazed. It's an extraordinary work, and would be an accomplishment for an adult author. That the writer was so young really makes this work remarkable. The bird characters, the juxtaposition of the Book of Heresy and Old Scripture sayings, and the almost allegorical tone give it a solid fantasy feel. In short, I loved it, and I think kids will really enjoy it, both as a great story and as a phenomenal work by one of their peers.

We'll be adding the book to the reading program and including it in our book fair offerings!

Congrats!

Kevin Washburn, Ed.D.

Clerestory Learning/Make Way for Books

Pelham, AL

When I taught her in 2005 she was a middle school student in a group of mainly university students, and her English was head and shoulders over theirs! After doing some Google searches and learning more about her background. I learned that when I taught her she was only 11 years old, but she had lived for several years in the USA.

Professor Rob Loach

Bob Jones University, Greenville, SC

I am honored to make a statement about Swordbird and its remarkable 13 year-old author, Nancy Yi Fan. The more I learn about Nancy, the more I admire her. I was so impressed to find out that even though Nancy had to learn English when she moved to the US from China [at age 7], she studied so hard that she was able write an entire book in English just a few years after learning it! I am very happy that she has continued to study Chinese and was even able to translate Swordbird from English to Chinese. It always makes me sad to hear about Chinese who move overseas and leave behind their language and customs. I am so proud of Nancy for continuing to treasure our culture.

Swordbird is a story about peace, freedom, and tolerance. These are all things that are very close to my heart. When I travel throughout the world and see what happens to people because of war and violence ¡§C for example, the landmine victims in Cambodia ¡§C it breaks my heart. I know that Nancy wrote her story partly as a reaction to the events of 9/11. I'm happy that she found a way to express her desire for peace and freedom. I think that Nancy is an inspiration to a lot of people and she is proof that if you work hard and dream big, anything can happen!

- Jackie Chan (the famous martial arts film star)

from Los Angeles, CA

March 22, 2007

Dear Nancy,

Thank you for writing Swordbird. I loved reading it. I think this book should be made into a kids movie because it is a learning story about peace. I hope you write more awesome books for young adults.

Keep writing.

Your Reader,

Mark Brown (10)

Mokena, IL

I am a 10 year old who has just devoured the book Swordbird by Nancy Yi Fan. I loved the book! I think it will be a hit and anxiously await a sequel.

- Paul Carstens

Nancy, you are an inspiration to me. Not only did you write an amazingly fun book, but you showed me that if you follow your dreams and never give up, you can accomplish anything!!!

- Willow (12 years old)