Wendy Orr - Cuckoos Flight

Praise for Swallows Dance by Wendy Orr

o School Library Journal Best Middle Grade Book

o USBBY Outstanding International Book

o Junior Library Guild selection

o CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens Starred Selection

This mesmerizing, aching tale explores ancient beliefs in gods and nature and their impact on an Aegean island society in the Bronze Age.[Orrs] mixture of prose and free verse to tell Leiras story is lyrical and magneticand devastating. Not for readers searching for a simple or happy journey, this is a beautiful song of a book that shows that life isnt always fair, but change is always constant.KirkusStarred Review

As she faces the demands of sheer survival, Leira gradually realizes that the privileges afforded to her, thanks to her social status, are meaningless, and she starts taking on whatever unpleasant job she must to protect herself and her family. Leiras lyrical first-person narrative advances the story along beautifully with a fitting sense of urgency, and free-verse songs clue readers in to her emotional development. Immersive historical fiction.
BooklistStarred Review

As tragedy upon tragedy befalls the sweet but naive Leira in this Bronze Ageset tale, readers will cheer for her to succeed, grow, and to find her way in this new worldAn eye-opening look at how difficult it is when ones status changes in life, and how attitude can shape outcome. Beautiful writing and a fast-moving plot will give young historical fiction fans much to love.School Library JournalStarred Review

Wendy Orr has crafted a sympathetic, memorable heroine whose struggles and challenges transcend time from the Bronze Age to modern day. While suitable for middle grade students and a wonderful introduction to mythology and discussions surrounding puberty, spirituality, class, mental health, death and disaster, Swallows Dance is one of those rare books that is also just a great story, an epic tale for all ages. Highly Recommended.CM Magazine

Top notch historical fiction for those who like it ancient!The scenes of devastation earthquake in Santorini, tsunami in Crete are riveting to experience through the lens of a survivor.Youth Services Book Review

Praise for Dragonfly Song by Wendy Orr

o Finalist for the Rocky Mountain Book Award

o Finalist for the TD Canadian Childrens Literature Award

o Finalist for the Sunburst Award

o Finalist for the Maine Student Book Award

o Junior Library Guild selection

o Bank Street Best Book

Orr tells her tale in both narrative poetry and prose for an effect that is both fanciful and urgent, drawing a rich fantasy landscape filled with people and creatures worthy of knowing. An introductory note describes Orrs inspiration in the legend of the Minotaur, but her story is no retelling but a meditation on rejection and acceptance, on determination and self-determination.As mesmerizing as a mermaids kiss, the story dances with emotion, fire, and promise.KirkusStarred Review

The Bronze Age setting makes for a unique backdrop, and Aissa is a sympathetic character. Her struggles are heartrending, and made more so by the lyrical storytelling style. The descriptions of the dances are especially vivid. Hand-sell this unusual tale to fans of Shannon Hales historical fantasies.School Library Journal

Orr tells Aissas tale in a lyrical mix of narrative poetry and prose, using lush, vivid language to create an unparalleled fantasy world full of life and lively characters. While young readers with a special interest in history will immediately be drawn into this meticulously researched, literary story, its fast-paced, adventurous, epic feel will undoubtedly appeal to all readers.Booklist

Loosely inspired by the story of the Minotaur, this is a thoughtful reimagining of the rituals involved in Bronze Age worship and belief, with the plot taking several fascinating turns that showcase the various vocations involved in village life.An unusually thoughtful offering in the middle-school mythology genre.Bulletin of the Center for Childrens Books

Dragonfly Song is an impressive work of middle-grade historical fiction. Aissa is a brave, tenacious girl, who rebels against the constraints of her life without appearing anachronistic. There isnt a lot of young peoples fiction set in the Bronze Age, and the details here are lovingly researched, creating a transportive world. Especially noteworthy is the representation of religion in a pre-Christian setting, as the book explores both its beauty and brutality.Quill & Quire

A work of beauty. From the stunning cover to the mythological imagery and lyrical prose, readers are drawn in and carried along on an intense ride.Dragonfly Song would make a perfect read-aloud chapter book for middle grade teachers. While the academic cross curricular subject areas are obvious, including history, mythology, religion, spirituality, even bullying, I enjoyed this story simply as a pleasure read. Highly Recommended.CM Magazine

First published in Canada and the United States in 2021

Text copyright 2021 Wendy Orr

This edition copyright 2021 Pajama Press Inc.

Published simultaneously with Allen & Unwin: Crows Nest, New South Wales, Australia, 2021

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior written consent of the publisher or a licence from The Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency (Access Copyright). For an Access Copyright licence, visit www.accesscopyright.ca or call toll free 1.800.893.5777.

The publisher gratefully acknowledges the support of the Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council for its publishing program. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Book Fund (CBF) for our publishing activities.

Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication

Title: Cuckoo's flight / Wendy Orr.

Names: Orr, Wendy, 1953- author.

Identifiers: Canadiana 20200361961 | ISBN 9781772781908 (hardcover)

Classification: LCC PS8577.R77 C83 2021 | DDC jC813/.54dc23

Publisher Cataloging-in-Publication Data (U.S.)

Names: Orr, Wendy, 1953-, author.

Title: Cuckoos Flight / Wendy Orr.

Description: Toronto, Ontario Canada : Pajama Press, 2021. | Summary: In Bronze-Age Crete, before horses were common on the island, potters-daughter Clio continues to raise and train them even though an accident has left her unable to ride. After a series of difficult years in the community, the threat of raiders prompts the towns ruling Lady to demand the sacrifice of a maiden between ages twelve and fourteen, who will be selected at the spring equinox. Certain that she will be named the sacrifice, Clio struggles to go on with the ordinary activities of making pots and preparing the towns defenses. She finds refuge in her horses and a new friendship with younger girl Mika, who takes to riding as naturally as Clio did. Drawing on a spiritual connection with her grandmother Leira, Clio learns to believe that she has the power of choosing her path, and that she, Mika, and the horses may hold the key to saving the town without loss of life Provided by publisher.