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Wild Bird

Wendelin Van Draanen

3:47 a.m. That’s when they come for Wren Clemmens. She’s hustled out of her house and into a waiting car, then a plane, and then taken on a forced march into the desert. This is what happens to kids who’ve gone so far off the rails, their parents don’t know what to do with them anymore. This is wilderness therapy camp.

The Wren who arrives in the Utah desert is angry and bitter, and blaming everyone but herself. But angry can’t put up a tent. And bitter won’t start a fire. Wren’s going to have to admit she needs help if she’s going to survive.


Thoughts about the Book

An exhilarating story of survival and second chances.
Dana Reinhardt, author of Tell Us Something True
I read WILD BIRD in one long mesmerized gulp. Wren will break your heart - and then mend it.
Nancy Werlin

The author

Wendelin Van Draanen spent many years as a classroom teacher and is now a full-time writer. She is the author of many award-winning books. Ms. Van Draanen lives with her husband in California. Her hobbies include the “three R’s”: reading, running, and rock ’n’ roll. Wendelin Van Draanen and her husband are also the founders of a nationwide campaign designed to get kids reading and running and to help schools raise funds for their libraries.

Jessika Komina und Sandra Knuffinke (Translators)

Jessika Komina and Sandra Knuffinke both graduated from the University of Düsseldorf with a diploma in literary translation. In 2008, they teamed up to translate children’s and teenage/ YA literature from English, French and Dutch and have been doing so ever since. „Acht Wochen Wüste“ is the second of their translations to be awarded the Buxtehuder Bulle. Today they live in Mülheim an der Ruhr and Ulm, but meet up regularly via Skype to put the finishing touches to their projects.