Review by Evelyn Kenwood
Orca Book Publishers, March 2024
178 pages, paperback, $14.95 CAD, 9781459837713
Middle Grade, Ages 9-12
Fiction
Potential romance aside, I was relieved that he and Uncle Eli had stayed, because even though cabbage and I had taken some notes, I still wasn’t ready to be left alone with Ludwig.
Uncle Eli must have sensed this, because he said we’d give the bird a night to settle in and he’d return the next day so he could help me with Ludwig’s morning routine.
I felt better about that — although that would only get me through Saturday. On Sunday Uncle Eli had to prepare his trip, and on Monday he was leaving for Guinea. In Africa. Literally half a world away
When Arden’s uncle goes on sabbatical, the only thing he leaves her with is his African Grey Parrot, Ludwig. Stuck without her favourite relative and confidant, Arden dreads living with her new bird. Although Arden has longed for a pet, she fears that Ludwig will bite her, and doesn’t see the appeal of a pet that you can’t play with in the same way you play with a dog. In Joanne Levy’s Bird Brain, Arden must prepare for the competitive science bowl tryouts and contend with verbal bullying, all while reluctantly taking care of her uncle’s bird who turns out to be much smarter than she initially realized. Besides being able to perfectly imitate the sounds a microwave makes when reheating a cup of coffee, Arden learns that Ludwig may be able to do math or even understand humans. As the two bond, Arden grows to appreciate both Ludwig’s intelligence and her own strength.
Levy builds characters that are lovable and realistic, offering a relatable and inspiring story for young readers to enjoy. For instance, Arden’s passion about the science fair. Additionally, Arden’s best friend Henri fiercely values his friendships and learns that to maintain them, he must be willing to admit his mistakes. Ludwig only enhances Arden’s traits, forcing her to test the limits of her intelligence and scientific curiosity when she suspects that Ludwig can do more than just imitate sounds.
Levy keeps young readers engaged with scientific facts spread throughout the book, like when Arden explains that you can tell the difference between the two types of African Grey parrots through their feather colour and size. The story itself is streamlined, and the fast-paced plot never feels like it drags on. Levy does a phenomenal job of showing how Arden grapples with her uncle’s absence, demonstrating an empathetic approach to change that many young readers might find helpful. Bird Brain tackles very real challenges young people face, offering healthy resolutions to bullying, conflict, and difficult emotions. Arden learns that bullying isn’t always physical, but it is always serious, and her story might provide some solace for readers who have had similar experiences.
Overall, Bird Brain by Joanne Levy was a lighthearted story about friendship, family, and the pursuit of knowledge.
Evelyn is a current third year psychology and creative writing student at UBC from New Orleans, Louisiana. They love reading, writing, and knitting. They love to associate songs (mainly Taylor Swift) with their current reads.
YOUNG ADULTING 