About the Book
GOLD WINNER The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Prestigious B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree
Authors of the Award-Winning The Big Dream!
Are you ready for a thrilling adventure that will leave you on the edge of your seat?
Look no further. In THE BIRD CAPER, enjoy a rollicking mystery adventure!
Tensions mount when ten-year-old Brandon's life spirals out of control because his parents decide to uproot him from the only home he's ever known. "Holy Ravioli!" Brandon doesn't like the idea for a hundred or more reasons. Why can't his life stay just as it is? No CHANGES!! He worries about his pet birds and his friends. Will he lose everything important to him?
Who knew moving to a new neighborhood could be so crazy? Or frightening! Brandon has moved near the scariest bullies in Riverside Middle School, the infamous B.B. Boys! How will he navigate their torture? He'll need a plan to save himself. But wait... when Brandon's pet crow, Ralph, is accused of stealing the head bully's prized whistle, there's real trouble. Now, he needs a plan to save Ralph!
Amidst the chaos, Brandon discovers an unexpected ally in the form of ladybugs, leading to a surprising resolution that teaches him that CHANGE, while daunting, can also open doors to new friendships and adventures. A must-read for boys and girls 8-12 years old. Fans of "The Mysterious Benedict Society" will devour this captivating tale.
Don't wait, grab your copy today!
Readers' Choice Five-Star Review
Reader Views Five-Star Review
Readers' Favorite Five-Star Review
Bonus! Teacher Reading Resources Included. Also, see the STEAM note below.
Book One in The Crow's Tales series, by Victoria E. Pannell and Thorir Sigfusson. Be sure to read THE BIG DREAM, book 2 of THE CROW'S TALES, a 3-book series. Entertaining stories with wholesome values!
STEAM NOTE:
Students and teachers find that integrating fictional narratives into science lessons improves comprehension and enjoyment by making complex ideas more relatable. In THE BIRD CAPER, ten-year-old Brandon conducts a ladybug experiment using a kit given to him by his grandparents. To document his ladybugs' life cycle, he maintains a journal and consults a library book with colorful photos of each stage. The story's adventure features the book and the ladybugs in key roles. A study of the ladybug life cycle is a STEAM activity that includes science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. Incorporating the reading of The Bird Caper into the study of the ladybug life cycle is an enrichment activity for both the students and the teacher.
About the Author :
Victoria E. Pannell, a middle-grade fiction author, grew up in southern New Jersey. She graduated from Rowan with degrees in English and teaching and has tons of experience in public affairs and communications. At 73, she co-wrote and self-published her first book, "The Big Dream," in December 2023. It was a Readers' Choice Book Awards finalist and won the Wishing Shelf Book Awards' Red Ribbon Award. She went on to co-author The Bird Caper, which received the 2024 GOLD award in the Wishing Shelf Book Awards, the prestigious indie B.R.A.G. Medallion, GOLD in the Literary Titan Book Award, Finalist in the Reader's Views, and received five stars from the Readers' Favorite Book Reviews. The book receives praise for its modern style and relatable message that resonates with children worldwide. She writes with her husband, Thorir Sigfusson, and the duo writes under the pen name Pannell & Sigfusson. They are working on book three in The Crow's Tales Series. Victoria is a member of SCBWI, the American Library Association (ALA), the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), and the Rehoboth Beach Writers Guild. She's a ventriloquist and loves to perform with her puppet for children at local libraries. Thorir Sigfusson came to the United States from Iceland when he was twelve and recalls those years of transition, not knowing the language as a time of great adjustment. Today, as an award-winning author, Thorir creates relatable stories for middle-grade readers, beginning his writing journey after retiring from a long career as an architect. Thorir co-authored his debut novel, The Big Dream, a Readers' Choice Book Awards finalist and winner of the Wishing Shelf Book Awards' Red Ribbon Award. He went on to co-author The Bird Caper, which received the 2024 GOLD medal in the Wishing Shelf Book Awards, the prestigious indie B.R.A.G. Medallion, GOLD in the Literary Titan Book Award, Finalist in the Reader's Views, and received five stars from the Reader's Favorite Book Reviews. The book receives praise for its modern style and relatable message that resonates with children worldwide. He writes with his wife, Victoria E. Pannell, and the duo writes under the pen name Pannell & Sigfusson. They are working on book three in The Crow's Tales series. Thorir is a member of the American Library Association (ALA) and the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA). Award-winning illustrator and author.
Review :
"Friendships, humor, and a young boy's touching bond with a free-flying crow make this story soar." Kirkus Book Review
"A wonderfully accessible, thrill-a-page-drama. Perfect for reluctant 8-12-year-old readers. A GOLD MEDAL WINNER and highly recommended!" The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
"This book is perfect for the classroom because it's lively, entertaining, and carries a positive message. There's also a bonus teacher reading resources that offer some excellent "think" skills." Carol Thompson for Readers' Favorite
"My kid loves the 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid.' This is very comparable to the series. It's that good. I highly recommend." Parent Reader (Five Stars)
From the Perspective of a Middle School Librarian
The Bird Caper was a sweet, innocent story of friendship, shared values, and that love for animals and pets that can be more profound when kids are going through stages of development where they feel awkward and unsure. As a member of the authors' ARC team, I received an advanced copy of the book. Additionally, as a middle school librarian, I read the story with an open mind, determined to evaluate the book honestly and with fairness, evaluating characters, setting, and tension for authenticity.
The children depicted are so typically tween/middle grade - changing their minds on a whim, sometimes histrionic, and given to hyperbole, traits that are typical for their age. The adult characters are agonizingly corny in a way relatable to middle-grade readers. The protagonist, Brandon, shows a great deal of loyalty for his family, friends, and animals. Such loyalty was a refreshing characteristic. The character development is certainly this story's strength.
The setting of a small town where folks are concerned for one another was perfect for the story, allowing the children to move about in an erstwhile manner.
The conflict in the story stemmed from Brandon being forced to move, forced to give up his familiar neighborhood, forced to give up his animal friends, and the accompanying sense of alienation as a newcomer. This kind of tension is relatable for kids, and the authors handled the topic realistically.
The Bird Caper is a delightful, poignant story that captures the art of fine storytelling without relying on sensationalism or racy themes. Rather, positive qualities of friendship, loyalty, patience, and curiosity are depicted in a way that is uplifting and appealing." Victoria (Five Stars)
From the Perspective of a Tween
"I am 11 years old and I think this book was incredible. Most books the size of Crow's Tales: The Bird Caper often have areas where the book is kind of boring and nothing is really going on, but this book does NOT! It isn't too hard for younger readers, despite its size. And it's great for older kids around my age as well! It was a fun and exciting read, and the author's constant use of FULLY CAPITALIZED WORDS always kept me excited and on the edge of my seat! It's almost perfectly in between hard to read and easy to read, and that is what made it so special. All in all, this book was an amazing read." Theresa (Five Stars)
From the Perspective of a School Vice Principal
"The Bird Caper is a thoroughly enjoyable read. Its accessibility and educational value make it a standout choice for middle-grade readers." Debbie Diaz-Arnold (Five Stars)
