Adam's Starling

beautifully told

-- Woman’s Way

all the elements in this story blend perfectly in a carefully measured way that make it a compulsive read

-- Irish Examiner

deserves another look

-- Evening Echo

still as relevant today

-- Books Ireland

a perceptive and very moving story which will resonate with many readers - bullies and the bullied. An excellent opportunity for discussion of this emotive subject

-- parentsintouch.co.uk

This story has tremendous potential for classroom use. An extremely thought-provoking book that would be an easy read for most 9- to 11-year olds.

-- Janet McGonagle - Children's Books in Ireland * Children's Books in Ireland *

What an impressive debut! ... This book convincingly captures life's hassles. Perdue is exceptionally good on Adam's various relationships ... (her) handling of the Adam/Grandad scenes are not only brilliant, they are also genuinely moving, and the starling plot is never allowed to become tweety-sweety. My nine-year-old thought it fantastic.

-- Niall MacMonagle - The Irish Times

This book is touching and sometimes sad. It would be great for children aged 8 upward.

-- Teenage reviewer Catherine O'Mahony, iQ magazine

This is a good story told with much lively dialogue and it will sustain children's interest through thirteen quite meaty chapters.

-- The School Librarian

Sensitive study of a shy and insecure boy who, in the protection of something smaller and weaker than himself, manages to finally confront the boys that constantly pick on him at school.

-- Books Ireland

Adam's Starling belongs on the shelf of any home with school-going children ... The bonding-with-animals theme makes this an appealing book, crashing through age and gender definitions in a warm-hearted way.

-- Evening Herald

gentle novel which confronts a serious problem in a sensitive and honest way.

-- Bisto Award judges

This is an intelligent, instructive book heavy with intent.

-- Eileen Battersby - The Irish Times

Its sensitive, imaginative treatment of the now clichéd theme of bullying makes it a great stocking-filler

-- The Sunday Indepen