Two starred reviews!

A girl learns to stand up for herself and embrace the true meaning of home against the backdrop of the Montana wilderness in this heartfelt novel in verse by acclaimed author Joy McCullough that is a quietly powerful exploration of courage, chosen family, and learning to trust yourself (Booklist).

A kestrel
is the smallest
bird of prey
in North America.

Kestrel doesnt feel much like the fierce bird for which she is named. Not after being rushed away from her grandfathers strict church community to the wilds of Montana. Her mother has gotten a job at a conservation institute, where shell work with a special breed of dog to help make interactions between humans and bears safer.

At first, Kes is terrified of the dogs and angry at her mother for ripping her from the only world shes known. But with some distance from her grandfather, she starts to understand how badly his bark hurt. In this new terrain, can Kestrel discover a safe place to spread her wings and soar?