4 November 2024 FOWL PLAY by Kristin O’Donnell Tubb, HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen, July 2024, 288p., ISBN: 978-0-06-327403-7

I don’t think I’ve laughed so hard while reading a bird-related tale since Carl Hiaasen’s 2002 Newbery honor gem HOOT.

“He hears the ticking of the clocks

And walks along with a parrot that talks

Hunts her down by the waterfront docks

Where the sailors all come in

Maybe she'll pick him out again

How long must he wait?

One more time for a simple twist of fate”

– Bob Dylan (1975)

Chloe Alvarez’s favorite uncle–Uncle Will–has died recently and unexpectedly. At the dramatic reading of Uncle Will’s will, in an attorney’s seedy office, Chloe learns that she has inherited Charlie, Uncle Will’s (female) parrot. Chloe is as delighted with her new companion as the adults are horrified.

Soon thereafter, the talkative parrot seems to let on that Uncle Will was murdered. Chloe makes it her business to follow up on what Charlie appears to be telling her. The hysterically funny bird and the ensuing mayhem make this a laugh-aloud must-read for middle graders. It’d certainly be a blast for a third- or fourth-grade classroom read-aloud.

Some days after the reading of the will, Chloe (and Charlie) accompany Chloe’s mother, grandmother, brother, and Uncle Frank to Uncle Will’s apartment, down by the docks. They need to clear it out. But when they arrive, George the landlord takes Chloe aside and quietly voices his own suspicions about Will’s death to Chloe. Then:

“George swings the door wide, and sunlight floods the dark hallway. When he spins back to us, he introduces himself to Grammy and Uncle Frank: ‘George Jones. Not the country music singer.’ Then he blinks at me like he’s now seeing me. He smiles. ‘Hiya Charlie! Welcome back, girl.’

‘AWK!’ Charlie screeches. She flaps wildly, seeing inside the apartment she once knew as home. ‘Charlie is a pretty girl! Pretty girl! AWK!’

The door behind us, number 13, swings wide. ‘HOLY LIVING COW IS THAT TERRIBLE BIRD BACK?’

A tiny man peeks out of apartment 13. He’s bald on the top of his head but has long stringy shoulder-length hair growing down the sides. He wears stacks of wooden beads and a flowy shirt with flowers stitched on it. I’d expect someone with his hippie vibe to be chill, but he continues shouting.

‘THAT BIRD IS THE WORST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO ME. I COULD MURDER WHOEVER BROUGHT THAT THING BACK!’”

I guess there’s one more name to add to Chloe’s growing list of potential suspects!

It’s a very fun and engaging mystery that follows; it’s a serious crack-up; and it’s not really scary at all, except, perhaps, for those parents who will start getting lobbied big-time for a talking bird for Christmas.

Richie Partington, MLIS

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