NIGHTHAWK!

A rebellious young nighthawk sets out to see the world and lead his flock to the Arctic promised land in this animal adventure.

When a fire forces Wisp from his school-top home and separates him from his family, Wisp flies south in search of the Refugium, the nighthawks’ winter home. Like any curious teenager, Wisp picks up tricks and tales from the other birds he befriends on the way, though his first journey is regrettably glossed over. Rather than admire Wisp’s adaptability or rejoice at his arrival, the other nighthawks at the fascistic Refugium demand that Wisp accept his place as a Plebian Navigator for the larger and bullying Guardians—the one role he cannot fulfill. After escaping from the enclave, Wisp flies north for the legendary Tundra, accompanied by his whiny sister Willo and Gonzo, a voracious crow with a stereotypical Hispanic accent, and pursued by the megalomaniacal Guardian, Flare. Bastedo portrays Wisp as all bird, complete with animal behavior, but relies on trans-species omniscience and human teenage slang to tell the tale, making for a sometimes disconcerting but ultimately satisfying blend of science and action.

An entertaining and even educational read.