* “Throughout this wonderful story, Coop has several moments where he connects his life to the birds. Although bird-watching may be a leisurely pursuit, the story is very fast-paced. Coop makes several impetuous decisions that don’t always end up how he imagines, and readers will be turning the pages quickly to see what happens. Regardless of whether readers are adopted or know someone who is, the story sings as an absorbing tale of a young boy who goes off course at times, but with his family’s love and support, comes out just fine on the other side. Fabulous characters and an excellent plot hook readers from the start and keep them reading. Highly recommended for all libraries.” —School Library Journal, starred review
“During a ‘summer of curveballs,’ an adopted boy draws parallels between his own life and that of the injured, abandoned bird he rescues in this emotionally grounded tale of family, love, and perseverance by Woods (When Winter Robeson Came). . . . Woods presents Coop’s ponderings about his birth mother, and how he fits into his adoptive family, with tenderness and sincerity in this smoothly plotted story that captures the fine-tuned rhythms of Coop’s busy, engaged, and musical family.” —Publishers Weekly
“Woods, whose The Red Rose Box was a Coretta Scott King Honor Book, writes Coop’s first-person narrative with simplicity and directness, whether detailing the observations of an increasingly avid bird-watcher or his reflections as he balances his personal longing to keeping Hop with his realization that Hop will be happier elsewhere. A warm, accessible family story with credible conflicts and satisfying resolutions.” —Booklist
“Coop knows all about being adopted because his parents adopted him, yet as Coop and Zandi take care of little Hop, Coop comes to understand more about adoption as he deals with the possibility of giving Hop up so the bird can have a better life. The story offers an opportunity for readers to better understand adoption along with Coop and to expand notions of what it means to be a family. . . . An accessible read for struggling readers. While everything doesn’t work out exactly how Coop hopes, the story ends with him believing he’s done the right things for both himself and his bird friend.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“A boy’s summer takes an unexpected turn, leading him to discover a new passion. . . . Through caring for the bird, named Hop, Coop comes to realize that loving someone sometimes means making hard choices. Woods uses simple, conversational language to bring the briskly paced story to life. Drawing parallels between Coop’s complicated emotions around his adoption and his feelings toward the rescued bird, she makes a complex topic feel accessible while also illustrating what it truly means to love and protect. . . . A heartfelt tale that intertwines a young boy’s personal journey with his love of nature.” —Kirkus Reviews
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