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Belle's Journey: An Osprey Takes Flight

Rob Bierregaard, or “Dr. B,” has been studying ospreys since 1971. One summer on Martha’s Vineyard, he and his partner attach a tiny satellite to a fledgling they name Belle. They observe and monitor Belle as she learns to fly and catch fish. When she leaves on her first migratory journey at the end of the summer, they have only the transmitter to follow Belle, who flies straight over the Atlantic, getting caught in a hurricane before heading south. She stays for 1.5 years in South America before heading home, up through Florida and along the coast. Although Bierregaard had no way of knowing many of the specifics of Belle’s experiences, he’s used informed conjecture based on his knowledge of ospreys to create an engaging, highly dramatic narrative grounded in fact. The inclusion of two children, George and Ella, who met Dr. B the summer he tagged Belle and follow her journey online through the satellite transmissions, sometimes emailing him questions when they’re worried, adds another wonderful element to this informational book featuring occasional full-page and spot illustrations. ©2019 Cooperative Children’s Book Center

Illustrated by Kate Garchinsky

CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 8-11
Age Range: Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10) Grades 6-8 (Ages 11-13)
Format: Substantial Narrative Non-Fiction
Subjects: Birds (Informational) Migration Science and Scientists
Diversity subjects: Black/African Latine

Publisher: Charlesbridge
Publish Year: 2018
Pages: 106
ISBN: 9781580897921

CCBC Location: Non-Fiction, 598 Bierregaard

Belle's Journey: An Osprey Takes Flight