Silverwing

Summary:

Shade is a young Silverwing bat, the runt of his colony. But he's determined to prove himself on the long, dangerous winter migration to Hibernaculum, millions of wingbeats to the south. During a fierce storm, he loses the others and soon faces the most incredible journey of his young life. Desperately searching for a way to rejoin his flock, Shade meets a remarkable cast of characters: Marina, a Brightwing bat with a strange metal band on her leg; Zephyr, a mystical albino bat with an unusual gift; and Goth, a gigantic carnivorous vampire bat. But which ones are friends and which ones are enemies? In this epic story of adventure and suspense, Shade is going to need all the help he can find -- if he hopes to ever see his family again.

Staff Review:

Many children (and adults) are fascinated with bats! So imagine an adventure book whose main character and hero is an undersized Silverwing bat named Shade. Add some dangerous fire-carrying owls and six-foot, carnivorous bats and you have a gripping story that's fast-paced and engaging. During a month-long unit on bats, I read this book to a combined 2nd and 3rd grade class. Each day they couldn't wait to hear what was going to happen next in the story. Independent 4th and 5th grade readers will no doubt want to keep going with the other books in the series, Sunwing, Firewing, and Darkwing. And shhhh - guess what?! While you're reading a great story, you'll also be learning a lot of interesting things about bats - go figure!

-- by Pam R.