Sunday, February 25, 2007

May Bird and the Ever After by Jodi Lyn Anderson

Meet 10-year-old May Bird, who lives with her mother and a hairless rex cat named Somber Kitty at the edge of a woods in a place called Briery Swamp. She spends much of her time with her cat in the woods, dreaming of being a warrior princess or in her room drawing pictures of strange creatures. She's not like the other kids in her class, who think she's just plain weird. May Bird's mother, concerned and coming to her wits' end with May's "strange" behavior, is talking about sending her away to a boarding school in New York. Even though May Bird has reason to be scared now that she's started seeing ghosts in the woods and in her home, she's more scared of leaving her beloved West Virginia woods. Things become stranger still when, in the ruins of an old post office, she finds a mysterious letter, postmarked from 50 years ago, but addressed to May Bird at her address. The letter leads her into a world that is even further away than New York where being different--being "a live one", might just be deadly for her--a world where the Bogeyman is real; where ghosts are afraid of "people like her." It is a complex story with many layers, some humorous (ghosts of thieves playing practical jokes on one another) and some frightening (ghosts having their souls sucked into nothingness by the evil Bo Cleevil). In this strange and frightening world, May learns that, just maybe, she isn't as alone as she thought she was, and she just might find that she's more of a warrior princess than she ever dreamt.


Some sources list this story as being at a reading level of Ages 9 and up, others at Grades 5 and up. Because of the complexity and possible fright factor for some, I would tend to agree with the latter. That said, I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next as May Bird ventures through the land of the dead in an attempt to find answers, to find her way home, and to find herself. The series so far is:


  • May Bird and the Ever After (Book 1)

  • May Bird Among the Stars (Book 2)

  • May Bird: Warrior Princess (Book 3)




Some of you have asked if there will be other books in this series. After reading Book 3, my thoughts are that there will not be any further books in the series--simply because the story was wrapped up very nicely. That said, you just never know. If I hear of any additions to the series, I'll be happy to add them to the list.

12 comments:

  1. Anonymous12:14 PM

    im just one person but why is it that May Bird books dont have prper endings and it seems like the 2nd leads to a third but there isnt another book?

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  2. Anonymous12:15 PM

    is there another May Bird book?

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  3. Of course, the definition of "proper endings" is totally a matter of personal preference :) That said, Book 1 ended with unanswered questions, leading into Book 2. Book 2 ended with unanswered questions, which makes me assume that there will be a Book 3. According to Amazon.com, there IS a Book 3 called May Bird: Warrior Princess. It is due out in September 2007.

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  4. I need to see chapter 2 but i left my book at school. what do i do?

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  5. Sometimes you can find the information you need by reading other reviews--such as on Amazon.com. Sometimes you can even see excerpts (small sections) there, but unfortunately, Amazon doesn't seem to have an excerpt for this book. If you need the specific chapter, you could call a classmate who may be reading the same book. If you're able to get to a library or local bookstore, you could also get another copy of the book. If none of these are an option, the best advice I have is to explain what happened to your teacher, and see if he or she will give you another chance. Teachers, even a BookDragon, will give students another chance--especially if you are honest, if you really make an effort, and if you don't make a habit of forgetting your assignments. I don't know your situation, but if you haven't been doing well in this class, sit down and make a plan and list what you can do to make some improvements. --make a list and show it to your teacher to show that you're serious-- then do it. Be sure you follow-through though. Good luck.

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  6. i loved may bird! im doing a book report on it :) will there be a 4th book, or is it only a trilogy?

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  7. I have not heard of a 4th book in this series. After reading Book 3, Warrior Princess, I suspect that it is probably the last book in this series.

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  8. Anonymous8:37 PM

    I hope theres a 4th book coz I want Pumpkin back T_T He was the BEST character in the WHOLE series!
    LOL He named his horse Pumpkin is the best XD classic one Pumpkin, just classic...
    But I seriously hope she makes a 4th one and have May and the others find Pumpkin, they can't just leave him!!!!!! TT-TT

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  9. NOW what will I do I wont have anything to read during summer Not fair Is There a 4th Is there I have to know I searched everywhere and the may bird series rox and it rox hard!!

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  10. I need something to read I dont want to find a diff. book I Want to read the 4th book if isnt one I want it anyway!

    MY 5 w's
    >Where
    >Where
    >When
    >Where
    >Where

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  11. Okay its 2009 and the May Bird sereis was finished by a Book called May Bird Warrior Princess

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  12. Anonymous4:41 PM

    Which is listed at the end of the post if you read the whole post.

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