Clyde is a budgie. He’s been working on becoming a human for a while now, and it’s been going well with his 11 year old friend Jay and his Poppa.

They spend a lot of time together, talking and working on jigsaw puzzles. Clyde is getting very good at placing pieces in the correct spots, thrilling Jay and Poppa every time. Jay stays with Poppa and Clyde when Jay’s Bird Scientist parents are away studying birds. The best place to do this is in Africa, but they must be particularly busy because they haven’t contacted him for a few weeks.

Jay has begun to worry, and Poppa’s efforts at finding help to locate them seems to be falling on deaf ears. Clyde knows his humans well and can see they’re upset. A little nibble on an ear sometimes helps, but not this time. And then Poppa falls ill.

Their lives are tipped upside down and Clyde is suddenly needing to be more bird than human. At least that’s what a wild Galah called Dora is telling him. Dora still needs Clyde’s human skills though. Birds around the world have a message. Gathering in greater and greater numbers is finally beginning to get humankind’s attention. A silent protest has begun and Clyde is to be a key part of it. But he’s only ever flown across the lounge and back – never across streets, cities or entire oceans!

A bird skill Clyde really wants to learn is ‘sending’ – a way of telepathy to other birds or even to Jay himself. Is it really possible, or is he too human already?

Parks, streets and highways are soon filled with birds. From London to Australia and everywhere in between, the birds have something to say, but what is it? Maybe Jay’s missing parents can help unravel the mystery? But where are they?

Told in two viewpoints: Clyde – a budgie wanting to be more human

                                            Jay – a year 5 student worrying about his missing parents away studying birds in Africa.

Jay is a brave character, dealing with much more than he should aged 11. He eventually has two police officers looking out for him and some social workers – at least that’s what they call themselves…

Clyde has to find even more courage than Jay with the challenges he is facing and sudden expectations upon him. His life inside a pensioner’s flat has opened up to the entire world beneath his wings. But are his wings really big enough for the quest ahead of him alongside much bigger birds? Seeing life from this budgie’s point of view is touching and funny, and his bond with his boy is adorable.

He struggles with the other bird’s view on life (and death), as he has developed a human way of thinking and feeling. It’s confusing for Clyde, and this and his worry for Jay and his parents builds the tension throughout the story – all as the reader wants to know what the gathering birds want?

Morris Gleitzman has a style like no other, writing about tough topics with a deft hand. Tweet is the same – tackling a topic affecting the entire planet, including its 5 billion birds and other creatures.

Author – Morris Gleitzman

Age – 8+

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(2024, Penguin Books Aust, Australia, Poppa, Grandfather, Grief, Loss, Missing Parents, Bird Scientists, Science, Bird Behaviour, Bird flocks, Warnings, Animals, Adventure, Courage, Environment, Family, Friendship, Love, Mystery, Galah, Humour, Bravery, Flight