Charlie’s grandparents live on their ranch outside of Jackson, near Yellowstone, Charlie was living with them during the summer so he could be of help. His grandad was a retired naturalist who was well respected and known, but was no longer able to travel, hike and continue his nature studies due to age and illness.

Charlie had been told by his Teton Sioux classmate and neighbour, Singing Bird, that ravens could cure. He finally finds a nest and is able to capture a hatchling and bring it back to his grandad. He firmly believes the bird has curative powers.

His grandad tells Charlie that he needs to return it to the nest, as the birds are a protected species. When Charlie points out that his grandad can legally keep the bird for study purposes and Charlie proposes to study the bird and any relation that develops between human and bird contact, Grandad agrees to keeping it. He also gives Charlie the responsibility of taking detailed notes and that he will also need to write a report on the findings.

The book goes on to tell of the relationship between the bird and the relationship that develops between other ravens that live in the area. It is a good read in the style of the writing and the information regarding raven behaviour. Known to be a smart bird with problem solving skills and the ability to communicate, I found it interesting reading. Also learning about some of the Sioux customs and lore added to my enjoyment. ( )

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When he spends the summer with his grandparents to help out, Charlie adopts a raven in an attempt to bring better luck and health to his ailing grandfather. Together they study the habits and communication of Blue Sky. ( )

Lovely story, but the writing was awkward. ( )

Charlie is visiting his grandparents for the summer, who lives in a small cabin near Yellowstone National Park. Charlie's beloved grandfather is suffering from a long-term illness. His friend from the local Sioux tribe, Singing Bird, is studying to be a storyteller among her people. She tells him of a legend that the presence of ravens can heal people. So Charlie steals a baby raven from a nest, and brings it home. His grandparents chastise him, but Grandfather (a retired naturalist) lets him keep the bird if he will make it part of a scientific study. So Charlie begins keeping notes, caring for the bird and closely observing its behavior as it grows.

Charlie is confronted with opposing opinions about ravens by those around him. Singing Bird says they are good luck. His grandfather admires their intelligence. And a new neighbor claims they are omens of evil, wants to drive them off his land. Charlie determines to find out for himself if ravens are "good" or "bad" by tallying up incidents in his notebook. Along the way he learns a lot about raven behavior and communication. He ends up with a mystery to solve too, when the raven comes of age and nobody knows where it goes (this continues part of a study his grandfather had given up on years ago). There's also a puzzle of why his grandfather's health seems to improve only on days the raven visits him in the mornings, and a problem to resolve with their neighbor who wants to shoot the ravens. It's a decent story, and I learned some things about ravens myself (the book even gives nod to Bernd Heinrich!) Some of the resolutions a bit too convenient, but I liked it regardless.

from the Dogear Diary ( )