Charlie has difficulties. His condition is not given a label in the story. Some reviewers say he is autistic. Whatever the issue, Charlie has set up some good coping strategies when sensory overload threatens to engulf him. Loud noises; strange tasting foods; and change can upset him. But he is a boy who has developed a deep understanding of himself - he accepts his own limitations and anticipates when life circumstances will be difficult. Charlie also has a quirky sense of humour which I loved.
Charlie's mum died when he was small so now we have a family of four. Older sister Davis; twin brothers Joel and Jake; and Dad. Unfortunately Dad is now in hospital following a terrible incident in Afghanistan where he was working as a journalist. Gram has moved in to help the family but Dad's injuries are so complex the doctors decide he needs to be transferred to a different hospital.
Gram goes with Dad to Virginia. The babysitter has an accident and so Gram sends the mysterious Ludmila to look after the kids. Davis decides Ludmila is dangerous and so late at night she packs up her brothers and with the help of her flaky boyfriend Jonathan Dylan Daniels the group of kids set off to drive across the country so they can all be with Dad.
Gram knows they are coming and so she organises for Ludmila to find them after the car driven by Jonathan Dylan Daniels crashes. He leaves the group and Ludmila takes over driving an old camper van. Gram says:
"The tests continue, it's all status quo here, so don't rush. These poor kids have seen nothing but a waiting room all summer ... so why don't you help them have ... fun. ... Do some things, find ways to at least enjoy the trip."
Ludmila asks the kids what they would like to do, where they would like to go. Charlie has a list of birds that he and his Dad made in the hope they might see them someday. There are eight birds on the list: Bald Eagle; Great Horned Owl; Trumpeter Swan; Sandhill Crane; Turkey Vulture; Emu; Passenger Pigeon; and Carolina Parakeet. This seems impossible because two of these birds are extinct and one is in Australia! Charlie also has a secret ambition to meet his bird expert hero - Tiberius Shaw PhD. And so the journey begins.
Each chapter opens with words of wisdom from Professor Shaw:
"Human and bird behaviour share similar qualities when it comes to the issues of family and survival."
"Change is possible. It is not to be feared."
Australian readers will need a US Map to follow the journey of Charlie and his family from California to Virginia. Here is a very generous chapter sample (chapters 1-6) from the publisher. This book trailer, which you could use with a senior primary class in a book talk, gives you a good overview of the story. I highly recommend this book for readers aged 10+. One of the really satisfying aspects of the storytelling in The Someday Birds is the ways all the little coincidences line up - a bit like putting pieces into a jigsaw puzzle and with each addition you begin to see the whole picture. One example is when Charlie finds the personal diary of Professor Shaw very early in the journey. This sets things up so beautifully for an utterly perfect ending.
Hopeful, authentic, and oddly endearing. Kirkus
Hop in the RV with this ragtag group and enjoy the ride. Book Page
I would pair this book with The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise.
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