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Birds on the Brain
Reeni loves birds and is eager to participate in the annual Bird Count India, part of a global bird count day. But the mayor and city leaders, upset by the previous year’s data showing fewer birds, are closing a large local park on the day of the count. Closer to home, the istri lady, who irons people’s clothes in Reeni’s neighborhood, has been told that she must shut down her stall because she uses a coal iron, which is being banned. At school, Reeni and her friends Yasmin and Anil embark on their data collection projects. Anil doesn’t want to collaborate with Reeni and Yasmin, which feels strange because they always work together. But he wants to do a study combining karate and solar power, while Reeni and Yasmin are doing one on books and birds. Reeni and Yasmin designing their data collection project is one of the terrific elements in this upbeat story that sees both projects playing a role in resolving the istri lady’s job woes and the city government’s reluctance to support the bird count. As with the first appealing book featuring Reeni, Yasmin, and Anil, Book Uncle and Me, Book Uncle, a local book vendor, dispenses perfect books for each person, and civic engagement is a major theme. ©2025 Cooperative Children’s Book Center
Illustrated by Julianna Swaney
CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 8-10
Age Range:
Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Format:
Novel
Subjects:
Activism and Resistance
Birds (Fiction)
Community
Environmental Challenges
Indians and Indian Americans
Politics and Political Systems
Problem-Solving
School
Diversity subject:
Asian
Publishers:
Groundwood, House of Anansi
Publish Year: 2024
Pages: 180
ISBN: 9781773069449
CCBC Location: Fiction, Krishnaswami