Birdlands

By Author / Illustrator

Anthony McGowan

Genre

Animals

Age range(s)

Publisher

Rock the Boat

ISBN

9781836431800

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

14-05-2026

Synopsis

From Carnegie-winning author Anthony McGowan comes another thrilling and heartbreaking animal adventure

An unlikely flock. The adventure of a lifetime.

Life can be tough when you're a bird, especially for Beaky, Herman and Pidge. With the young jackdaw's twisted beak, the crow's broken wing and the pigeon's fear of flying, survival seems impossible. Until, that is, they band together. The trio set out into the wild, leaving the city far behind. But danger lurks at every turn... Will the three birds ever find a place they can call home?

'Only a truly great storyteller could write this book and Tony McGowan is the finest one we have.' Phil Earle. An exquisitely written novel from one of our finest writers - a story of humour and tenderness, threaded with hope and the fierce instinct to survive.' Hannah Gold. One of the best animal stories you are likely to read for a very long time. Piers Torday.

Reviews

Louisa

For the three desperate birds at the centre of Birdlands, every day is a struggle to survive. The jackdaw can barely scavenge for food with his twisted beak. The pigeon is too afraid to fly. The crow has a broken wing. The future for all of them looks bleak. They don't much like each other but, working together is their only hope. And so, together, Beaky, Pidge and Herman set off on an avian road trip from city to country.

There is jeopardy at every turn; but, by sharing dangers and sharing their stories they build first grudging respect for each other and then, gradually, mutual devotion. The reader too becomes ever more invested in their characters and their survival. Can this ever be possible in a hostile world?

The skilful economy of the prose belies an emotional depth. Like the best road movies, the story explores ideas of friendship, teamwork and survival. It also sensitively introduces the less common theme of disability, in a way that could be used to open interesting discussions about both physical and mental conditions.

Antony McGowan is a master of dialogue. He can use it to build character and move the story forward with remarkable subtlety - an excellent model for writing. He also conveys a respectful knowledge of the natural world: both its awesome beauty and its cruelty.

This is a book in the best tradition of animal stories, funny, poignant and memorable. If you don't like pigeons or crows, prepare to change your mind.