Winged Heroes: For All Birdkind

Gr 4-8–Emilio is a rock pigeon living in New York City and learning a pigeon’s most valuable lesson: how to not be attending. Emilio also loves getting the latest issue of “Winged Heroes,” a comic all about heroic birds saving Birdkind in NYC. When Emilio gets a little too wrapped up in his favorite fantasy, his friends and his sister get blown off course to an unknown island, and Emilio must find the power within himself to save them. Also presented are page bios of each of the Winged Heroes next to a page of their real-life counterparts and many scientific facts. This is a fun adventure story that will quickly have readers drawn into the plight of these city birds. Many readers who love comics will also connect with Emilio’s passion for the Winged Heroes. Greene’s illustrations are brightly colored with some fairly detailed cartooning. Characters are pleasantly expressive throughout their faces and bodies, but the movements of each character incorporate how birds really move. The hero and real-life bird pages provide exceptionally lifelike illustrations of the real birds next to awesomely posed heroes that are sure to please.