Review by Booklist Review
Even if young readers have never seen a mockingbird, they may have heard of one through a childhood lullaby or in the title of Harper Lee's classic novel. In his third book on birds, following The Race to Save the Lord God Bird (2004) and Moonbird (2012), Hoose tells the remarkable history of the relationship between humans and mockingbirds throughout time. Beginning with examples of mockingbirds in Native American folktales, short chronological chapters recount the mockingbird's influence in history, science, art, music, folklore, and literature, from Thomas Jefferson's first White House pet to Audubon's controversial mockingbird folio to Charles Darwin's research on Galápagos mockingbirds. The mockingbird's popularity, however, was almost its downfall, as it was overhunted and sold as singing entertainment before the advent of radio and television. Hoose also discusses the species' endangerment and efforts to save it as well as the mockingbird's current state, its adaption to climate change, and practices humans can make to support it. Related photos expand reader familiarity with this iconic yet lesser-known bird.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In an accessible volume, Hoose (The Race to Save the Lord God Bird) chronicles the scientific and cultural interconnectedness of humankind and versatile avian songsmith the northern mockingbird. The fowl--whose scientific name, Mimus polyglottos, means "many-tongued mimic"--can learn over 200 songs in its lifetime; its singing prowess is facilitated by the syrinx, an organ "not much bigger than a raindrop," which enables complex vocalizations inimitable by humans. The opening chapter, "Four Hundred Tongues," sets the stage for some of the earliest tales featuring the mockingbird, outlining myriad Indigenous stories from Cherokee, Hopi, Maricopa, and Zuñi peoples, among others. Some purport that specific languages were developed via mockingbird vocals; others indicate that the birds watch over the dead. The bird's singing ability also made it highly revered by many historical figures, including Charles Darwin, Harriet Hemenway, and Thomas Jefferson. Through loosely connected historical vignettes, Hoose capably paints a straightforward picture of the northern mockingbird, its species history, and its impact on the world, positing that "to kill a mockingbird would be to destroy a duet." Color photographs feature throughout; source notes and further information conclude. Ages 12--up. Agent: Jennie Dunham, Dunham Literary. (Sept.) ■
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 9 Up--A duet is a piece for two voices, and award-winning author Hoose provides a new perspective into an amazing bird and its place in American cultural history. Revered in Native American folk tales for its seemingly unending supply of songs, the Northern mockingbird likewise enchanted American settlers. But its unique ability to replicate other bird songs and sing fragments of those songs for hours on end, day and night, brought it close to extirpation. Its singing became so popular that it was hunted, caged, and sold to fill households with song. President Thomas Jefferson even had one in his White House office. Despite the overhunting and loss of habitat as farms and towns replaced its native woodlands, the popular mockingbird thrived. Full-color photographs of the mockingbird in action and reproductions of early illustrations, even the sheet music that celebrated the mockingbird, amplify the engaging narrative. Tips on respecting the environmental needs of birds to help ensure their survival are included. Index not seen. VERDICT A delight to read. Recommend for all libraries for a fresh look at the impact on native species of the settlement of America.--Frances E. Millhouser
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Review by Horn Book Review
Hoose chronicles the unique relationship between humans and the northern mockingbird in this medley of natural history, political history, mythology, and folklore. He demonstrates humanity's early links with the mockingbird by recounting stories from Pueblo, Mayan, and Hopi cultures. From there, he discusses how the bird was misidentified by Columbus, appreciated by Jefferson, painted by Audubon, studied by Darwin, and more. The book does not shy away from the uglier aspects of history, from Jefferson's reliance on enslaved people to the cruelty of the captive bird trade, with a thread of environmental concern running throughout. Hoose also highlights popular culture, including American songs featuring mockingbirds; and modern science, with new discoveries about their intelligence and capabilities. Back matter includes detailed source notes and suggestions for how readers can help preserve the northern mockingbird and other songbirds. While this book lacks some of the immediacy and firsthand observation of Hoose's other titles (Moonbird, rev. 7/12, among others) -- a note acknowledges pandemic-related research obstacles -- it compensates with breadth of scope and liveliness of prose and will likely leave readers with new appreciation for this common backyard bird. K Rachael Stein September/October 2022 p.106(c) Copyright 2022. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A select overview of the northern mockingbird in human history. The book tries to make the case for a "duet" of mockingbird-human relationships throughout history: The mockingbird provides entertainment, while the human provides sustenance and a willing appreciation. However, Hoose doesn't quite sell it. Arranged in short chapters with color photographs, snippets of human interactions with mockingbirds are presented loosely chronologically, beginning with Native American references to mockingbirds and ending with 21st-century studies on the birds' being able to recognize specific humans. Along the way, readers learn a little bit about Thomas Jefferson's fondness for mockingbirds, songs that reference mockingbirds, the effect of the Civil War on birds, the caged bird trade, women who advocated for bird protection, and Charles Darwin, who observed mockingbirds on the Galápagos Islands, among others. Unfortunately, the stories are either presented too superficially or are too limited in depth to begin with to have any great impact, and beyond their chronological order, there is no buildup to a conclusion other than that the mockingbird population (like all birds) is declining, although they are not officially endangered. The book has a decidedly anthropocentric feel to it--the overarching sentiment seems to be that the mockingbird's primary value lies in its ability to entertain humans with its singing. While the source notes for each chapter give the author's references, some of the stories nonetheless feel more romanticized than historical. A mishmash of folklore and history lite that doesn't quite get off the ground. (index) (Nonfiction. 12-15) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
