Flight of the Puffin

By: Ann Braden

5/5 💌(pretend this is an index card)

**I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

Flight of the Puffin follows four characters: Libby, Jack, T, and Vincent. Libby comes from a family of bullies, but she feels she's nothing like them. While she does get suspended for fighting and vandalism, Libby is a kind heart. She feels misunderstood by her family, and only wants to create a world full of art. She wants to create her own sunset.

Jack lives in a small, rural town that has been blanketed with grief before. When his tiny two-room schoolhouse is threatened, Jack fights for his right as a student. While he's big-hearted, his fight quickly loses focus.

Vincent lives across the country from both Jack and Libby. He is bullied often and just doesn't know what he wants in life. He loves his triangles and puffins. Maybe he just wants to be a puffin, he's still not sure. What he does know is that he's tired of being the punching bag for the school.

Finally, there's T. T is a runaway and they live on the streets with their dog. T and Vincent cross paths a few times, but will it help T find their way out of darkness? Flight of the Puffin is a story of redemption and kindness. It's a story of finding oneself and accepting others along the way.

I completely devoured this book! Ann Braden has a way of writing that truly transports you into the story. Honestly, I loved this book even more than The Benefits of Being an Octopus, and I wasn't even sure that was possible! The issues are touched upon delicately and the various points of view work in Braden's favor. It was a fast-paced story that all connects despite the differences among the narrators and their lives.

Right off the bat, Libby's narration had a strong You're Welcome Universe vibe with a strong emphasis on the importance of art. Libby's narration was my favorite because her passion for art and yearning to not be like her family were so prominent. I loved that we as readers were given insight into the words that hurt her and her own moral dilemmas. There was a lot of internal conflict with Libby that is a great representation about the power our words have, even when just comparing one to a family member.

Vincent and Jack's narrations broke my heart. Jack was a great representation of grief and Vincent's story highlighted the impact of bullying. I cried every time I read about Jack's past and the blame he placed on himself. I think his story will benefit so many children who read this book. Likewise, I cried reading about Vincent's experiences at school. I grew angry at the lack of teacher intervention. I grew angry at the blatant bullying for no reason (which is really all bullying, isn't it).

While I loved the entire book, however, it was the end that truly solidified the story for me. It was such a powerful ending, and yes, I did indeed bawl. It was absolutely a beautiful ending that made me want to write my own stack of index cards. Honestly, I think I'll have my students write a stack, too. I still cannot come to terms with how perfect this ending was. It was a stunning, stunning novel!

Honestly, the only complaint I have is that I don't know whether or not it can classify as an LGBTQ+ book. I think the issue of gender-neutral bathrooms is, unfortunately, still prominent; however, it didn't seem like the main focus of this novel. The debate about gender-neutral bathrooms did all tie together well with the other story, and I think it creates a positive think piece, I'm just not sure how to classify the novel as a whole. I can't put my finger on why exactly, though. Nevertheless, Braden approached the topic with great sensitivity and respect. I'm hoping it starts conversations among readers that lead to a more positive change in the future.