A Place for the Unclaimed Birds
Nine-year-old Willa knows how to care for injured birds: keep the water clean, move quietly, and pay attention to what changes. But when three recovering birds fly toward a fenced-off rooftop instead of the marsh, she begins tracking a pattern no one else seems to notice.
The roof garden above an old produce building has water, shade, and a sheltered corner that birds have quietly been using as a stopover. With a storm approaching and demolition work scheduled to begin, Willa must turn her notes into a plan that adults can safely follow. Her careful mentor Andre, energetic friend Tessa, guarded gardener Celia, and construction supervisor Mama June each hold part of the answer.
Set along the marsh edge of New Orleans, this warm, active middle-grade rescue story follows a child learning that care is more than kindness. It is evidence, patience, and knowing when to speak up. When the wind rises, Willa faces the hardest choice of all: push for a dramatic rescue or wait for the safer moment.
Planned first release on Google Play Books.Unreleased. Pending approval. Store link not yet available.Ask about this title
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- JAMES MASSEY
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- 2026-10-27
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READ A LITTLE
A first page
to begin with.
A short preview from A Place for the Unclaimed Birds.
Read a little
The first thing Willa did every Saturday was count the water pans.
Not because anyone asked her to. Andre had a clipboard for asking. He had a pencil tucked behind one ear and a schedule clipped to the wall of the rehabilitation trailer, where it curled at the corners whenever the damp got in.
Willa counted because the pans told the truth.
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