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4-6
Illustrated by
Stephanie Graegin.
Feeling trapped in his home--a zoo--Whit, eleven, craves contact with the outside world so much that he makes a field study of Bird Girl, a peer named Stella. The narrative moves slowly, but the well-drawn characters handle themes of family, abuse, and freedom without being schmaltzy or grim. Judiciously placed pencil illustrations evoke tender moments.