Duet: Our Journey in Song with the Northern Mockingbird

Description

The story of the impactful partnership between humans and mockingbirds, both scientifically and culturally over the centuries, written for young adults by award-winning nonfiction powerhouse Phil Hoose. The Northern mockingbird's brilliant song?a loud, bright, liquid sampling of musical notes and phrases?has made it a beloved companion and the official bird of five states. Many of our favorite songs and poems feature mockingbirds. Mockingbirds have been companions to humans for centuries. Many Native American myths and legends feature mockingbirds, often teaching humans to speak. Thomas Jefferson's mockingbird, "Dick", was the first White House pet. John James Audubon's portrait of a rattlesnake raiding a mockingbird's nest sparked outrage in the world of art. Atticus Finch's somber warning to his children, "Remember, it's a sin to kill a Mockingbird," is known throughout the world. Some jazz musicians credit mockingbirds with teaching them a four-note call that says, "Break's over." And mockingjays?a hybrid between jabberjays and mockers?are a symbol of the rebel cause in the Hunger Games trilogy. But in the early 1900s the mocker was plummeting toward extinction. Too many had been trapped, sold, and caged. Something had to be done. To the rescue came a powerful and determined group of women. Now, National Book Award and Newbery honor-winner Phillip Hoose brings the story of the important and overlooked connection between humans and mockingbirds?past, present, and future. It is the third volume of his bird trilogy. Duet is a study in the power of song. As author Steve Sheinkin puts it, "This book will change how you listen to the world."

Phillip Hoose is the author of Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice, a National Book Award winner and a Newbery Honor Book. His other books include Moonbird: A Year on the Wind with the Great Survivor B95, also a Robert F. Sibert Honor Book; The Boys Who Challenged Hitler, a Sibert Honor and Boston Globe-Horn Book Nonfiction Honor Winner; and We Were There, Too!, a National Book Award finalist. For thirty-seven years he worked for the Nature Conservancy, which saves ecosystems and rare species throughout the world. He continues to enjoy observing a wide variety of bird species. Mr. Hoose lives in Portland, Maine. philliphoose.com

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection "A duet is a piece for two voices, and award-winning author Hoose -provides a new perspective into an amazing bird and its place in American cultural -history . . . A delight to read. -Recommend for all libraries for a fresh look at the impact on -native species of the settlement of America." --School Library Journal, starred review "[W]ith breadth of scope and liveliness of prose . . . will likely leave readers with new appreciation for this common backyard bird." --Horn Book Magazine "[Hoose] discusses the species' endangerment and efforts to save it as well as the mockingbird's current state, how it's adapting during climate change, and practices humans can make to support it. Related photos expand reader familiarity with this at once iconic yet lesser-known bird." --Booklist "Through loosely connected historical vignettes, Hoose capably paints a straightforward picture of the northern mockingbird, its species history, and its impact on the world." --Publishers Weekly "Aspiring naturalists and bird watchers will easily zoom in on chapters that offer the deeper dives into bird research and will appreciate chapter-aligned source notes and an index." --The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "Just as a mockingbird weaves snatches of melody from hundreds of sources to create its own flood of song, Phillip Hoose in Duet knits together science, history and folklore to tell the remarkably tangled story of humans and mockingbirds--how we loved this bird almost to death, brought it back from the brink just in time, and now get to share our backyards with one of the world's greatest singers." --Scott Weidensaul, author of A World on the Wing "Hoose's passion for his subject comes singing through--this book will change how you listen to the world!" --Steve Sheinkin, National Book Award finalist author of Bomb and Most Dangerous "Hoose writes a passionate ode to our shared history with the northern mockingbird." --Rebecca E. F. Barone, author of Race to the Bottom of the Earth "Hoose writes about the mockingbird with heart, intelligence, and enthusiasm. I learned so much! I was especially bowled over by the research in the last chapter--but I won't give it away!" --Deborah Heiligman, award-winning author of Charles and Emma: The Darwin's Leap of Faith Praise for Moonbird: "Only the truly hard of heart could resist cheering for B95." --The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review "[An] effective mix of facts and conjecture . . . Vivid." --The Washington Post "Hoose's fascinating account concerns much more than this one bird." --Horn Book, starred review "Hoose's stature as a preeminent nonfiction author combined with the high-interest animal hook will generate hearty attention and enthusiasm for this one." --Booklist, starred review "Readers will appreciate Hoose's thorough approach in contextualizing this amazing, itinerant creature." --Publishers Weekly, starred review Praise for The Race to Save the Lord God Bird: "Outstanding in every way." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review "The author's passion for his subject and high standards for excellence result in readable, compelling nonfiction." --School Library Journal, starred review