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Swordbird Audiobook
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(3.03) - 699 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
The blue jays and cardinals of Stone-Run Forest have always lived harmoniously side by side. But the fate of the forest—and all its inhabitants—is in jeopardy when the sinister hawk, Turnatt, turns the two bird tribes against each other.
According to legend, only Swordbird, Son of the Great Spirit, has the power to conquer evil and restore peace to the land. But is he real or just a myth? Can Swordbird arrive in time to save the forest . . . or will it be too late?
13-year old author Nancy Yi Fan has woven a captivating tale about the birds of Stone-Run Forest and the heroism, courage and resourcefulness in their quest for peace.
Performed by Colleen Delany
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"I read this book a couple of years ago, and I could NOT believe that a twelve/thirteen-year-old had written this book. I recommended this book to the school librarian, and she told me that the author's first language wasn't even English. I absolutely loved this book, and I'm so glad I read it."
— Emily (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Would be a standout even if it wasn’t written by a twelve-year-old.”
— People -
“Swordbird soars.”
— Time for Kids -
“This allegorical tale of warring birds and their struggle for freedom has attracted an unusual measure of attention because of the author’s young age. But there is nothing childish about Fan’s innate gift for pacing, characterization, or storytelling. We predict many more successes for this talented prodigy.”
— Barnes & Noble, editorial review -
“Yi Fan’s tightly woven story delivers a manifest message promoting peace and freedom…The author occasionally relieves the tale’s ample tension with snippets of humor…Experienced readers will recognize the familiar allegory here, but the book will likely appeal to Redwall fans, and this young writer is worth watching.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Aficionados of Jacques’s Redwall series should enjoy this new offering to the anthropomorphized animal genre.”
— VOYA -
“This writing has a youthful exuberance. The reach of the story is vast and courageous. Its precocious accomplishment is evident in the invention of ‘somebird’ and ‘anybird’ as pronouns, and in somber yet ingenuous revelations about the marauding hawk Turnatt's past.”
— Children’s Literature -
“This avian fantasy is an engaging and propulsive read...It will appeal to fans of the Mistmantle Chronicles and other animal fantasies.”
— Kirkus Reviews
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
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A Publishers Weekly bestseller
Swordbird Listener Reviews
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" My brother brought this book home and I picked it up. It's lame. The author was 13 and you can tell. Immature writing techniques shine through and make the book seem poorly written. "
— Joseph, 2/16/2014 -
" I could not believe that a thirteen year old wrote this book!! What a great story and such real characters. Love, love, love this book. Recommend this book to anyone who thinks that children cannnot write just to prove them wrong. "
— Jessica, 2/16/2014 -
" I remember when I first read this, I couldn't get into it. It's been awhile now and I don't recall much from the story, but I find myself wanting to revisit it. The author certanly has potentional, and while her skills as an author aren't developed entirely, I will love to see what she is capable of when they do. "
— Veazey, 2/12/2014 -
" This book was really good! I loved how well this young author wrote this book. "
— Samantha, 2/11/2014 -
" I think it's really cool someone my age can acomplish something this amazing. "
— Tameera, 2/8/2014 -
" theres this evil bird dude in this book that eats one of his soldiers!!! its super sick... anyway, if that could possibly convince u 2 read it, read it.... "
— celia, 2/8/2014 -
" This book was a awesome book and it was one of the best books i have ever read. if i founf this book i would get it "
— Colin, 1/27/2014 -
" I think there's a fantastic storyline and it is mind-blowing that a twelve year old wrote it! "
— Bennett, 1/26/2014 -
" Written by an 11 year old good. Great use of vocabulary and of words other than "said." I wish I enjoyed it more but there were too many battle scenes. It was also hard to keep track of all the bird names. Decent story though-- and incredible that a kid wrote it. "
— Tamara, 1/16/2014 -
" good, beginning was boring, end was fantastic! "
— Emma, 1/14/2014 -
" It was good!!! It was so interesting at some points in the book. Other parts were drab!!! "
— Hannah, 12/23/2013 -
" Inspirational for young authors. "
— Chelsea, 11/23/2013 -
" predictable animal conflict like Warriors just not as good "
— Rodney, 11/16/2013 -
" Haven't read this myself, but my nine year old says that the three books in this series are almost the best books he's ever read. The illustrations are gorgeous. The fact that the author is only 11 years old was a real inspiration to my boys. "
— Laura, 11/13/2013 -
" Yep Swordbird was pretty amazing considering the author was twelve when she wrote and published it. But I can't really put a detailed review here as its been a loooooooooong time since I was actually reading it. Overall great book but a tad bit unrealistic, 4 stars. "
— Cloud, 7/8/2013 -
" This book was ok. It was pretty good 4 a 12 year old girl. I wont read the second one tho, it wasn't that good. "
— Danielle, 10/21/2012 -
" This book was very good, considering it was written by a kid. Loved most of the characters and the plot was well thought out. Great book. "
— Shanshan, 6/9/2012 -
" a nice story about a war between the cardinals and blue jays. a similar idea to Erin Hunter's Warriors. story has a great pace, mixing action, danger and the quiet moments together all while not getting bogged down in any parts. "
— Dru, 1/30/2012 -
" I'm intrigued that this 2009 MCBA candidate was written by a 12-yr old, but, unfortunately, I just couldn't get into the story. Maybe the imagery of cardinals and blue jays wielding swords didn't work for me.. "
— Ellen, 11/9/2011 -
" I think that this is a really amazing book. all the adventure he has been through is really amazing. Milton at last got the stone and the stone run birds sang the song to summon the sword birds. they defeat the hawk's soldiers and live happily after. I like the ending. It is happy. "
— Andy, 10/1/2011 -
" I am a Middle School Language Arts teacher and this was our summer read. I enjoyed the book. It is written by a 12 year old girl. She wrote it as her response to a dream she had following 9/11. Some of the kids did not enjoy it. It is a classic good vs. evil book. "
— Amy, 7/25/2011 -
" Interesting and well writen "
— Redwallcrazy-, 7/5/2011 -
" This book was really good! I loved how well this young author wrote this book. "
— Samantha, 3/21/2011 -
" I enjoyed this book very much. It was a good recommendation by Miss Kate. I think that it targets a little bit older audience, perhaps 4th or 5th grade. "
— Brigid, 1/24/2011 -
" Good details! Sword bird is a good book! "
— Sigrid, 12/27/2010 -
" I could not believe that a thirteen year old wrote this book!! What a great story and such real characters. Love, love, love this book. Recommend this book to anyone who thinks that children cannnot write just to prove them wrong. "
— Jessica, 4/13/2010 -
" #1 read for the April 2010 Dewey's Read-a-thon. Very cute, also loved the cover and inside drawings, I think I won't ever look at your normal birds again without picturing them with swords and bows! "
— Shaunesay, 4/10/2010 -
" I think it's really cool someone my age can acomplish something this amazing. "
— Tameera, 2/3/2010 -
" A quickly paced story with plenty of action and laced with themes we all long to become reality. "
— Pia, 1/1/2010 -
" I'm reading this aloud to the boys. E likes it so much, he's been reading it on his own. Written by a 12 year old girl. <br/> <br/>I didn't like this too much myself. But it kept my boys entertained! "
— Misty, 11/24/2009 -
" this book is so amazing especially for a twelve year old now it just makes me want to pick up my pen and actually start writing my own novel "
— Ashleigh, 10/30/2009
About Nancy Yi Fan
Nancy Yi Fan is the New York Times bestselling author of Swordbird and Sword Quest. She appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show as one of the World's Smartest Kids and on The Martha Stewart Show. Nancy spent part of her childhood in China, where she was born in 1993. Birds have been a lifelong passion of hers and provided the inspiration for her novels. She began writing her first novel, Swordbird, when she was eleven years old. Nancy attends Harvard University.
About Colleen Delany
Colleen Delany has been a sparkling jewel in the crown of Washington’s vastly talented acting community for thirty-seven days now and will confidently challenge to a fierce best out of three in “paper-rock-scissors” anyone wishing to topple her from that lofty perch. Primarily a stage actress,—having played roles at Shakespeare Theatre Company, Goodman Theatre, Arena Stage, Signature Theatre, Folger Shakespeare Library, Studio Theatre, Olney Theatre, Woolly Mammoth, Theater J, Washington Stage Guild, Theater of the First Amendment, and Source Theatre, among others—Ms. Delany does a you-name-it of various acting jobs, including audiobook narration.