The most recommended birdwatching books

Who picked these books? Meet our 33 experts.

33 authors created a book list connected to birdwatching, and here are their favorite birdwatching books.
When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

What type of birdwatching book?

Loading...

Book cover of The Gospel Truth

Glen Huser Author Of Firebird

From my list on historical fiction featuring journeys.

Why am I passionate about this?

As a child, I was an avid reader and particularly fell in love with historical fiction. My favourite corner for reading was on top of the woodbox by my grandmother’s cookstove. Warm and cozy, I delved into such books as Geoffrey Trease’s Cue for Treason and Jack Schaeffer’s Shane. How wonderful to land for a few hours in the world of Shakespeare’s London or the grasslands of the frontier west. When I worked as a children’s librarian and then began writing books myself, this early love has remained with me—so it factored into the books I chose for schools—and some of the novels I wrote such as The Runaway and Firebird.

Glen's book list on historical fiction featuring journeys

Glen Huser Why did Glen love this book?

This verse novel primarily sets the stage for a crucial journey Phoebe, a sixteen-year-old slave, living on a Virginia tobacco plantation in 1858, decides to make that will take her north to freedom. I like to write poetry myself and have favourites among verse novels that have proliferated in recent years. This is one of them. The poetry here is beautifully-crafted and underlines the power of language Phoebe has discovered, having taught herself to read. Pignat alternates viewpoints as she presents a cast of characters that includes a Canadian doctor posing as a birdwatcher who helps slaves escape. Bird imagery is a motif throughout the book—so apt in detailing a flight to a new world.

By Caroline Pignat,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Gospel Truth as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 13, 14, 15, and 16.

What is this book about?

Award-winning author Caroline Pignat’s new historical novel recreates the world of a Virginia tobacco plantation in 1858. Through the different points of view of slaves, their masters and a visiting bird-watcher the world of the plantation comes to live in this verse novel. Phoebe belongs to Master Duncan and works in the plantation kitchen. She sees how the other slaves are treated – the beatings and whippings, the disappearances. She hasn’t seen her mother since Master Duncan sold her ten years ago. But Pheobe is trying to learn words and how to read and when she is asked to show…


Book cover of Across the Pond

Lynne Kelly Author Of The Secret Language of Birds

From my list on books for bird-loving kids.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’m fascinated by our connections to animals, our similarities and differences, and how we communicate. Large mammals have always been my favorites, but like many people, I started noticing birds in my backyard during the pandemic lockdowns. As an author of middle-grade novels, my stories have been inspired by something interesting I’ve learned about a particular animal. I started writing my novel after learning that whooping cranes had nested in Texas for the first time in over a century. I knew I had to give that momentous nest sighting to a bird-loving girl who’d appreciate the visitation by these rare and majestic birds! 

Lynne's book list on books for bird-loving kids

Lynne Kelly Why did Lynne love this book?

This is one of those books with a setting so strong it becomes a character—in this case, a run-down old castle in Scotland.

There’s so much more to love here, though, like lost and found friendships, an old diary that adds a historical thread, and, of course, birds. I felt a connection to the main character, Callie, who just wants to stay home and read books!

If I were forced to choose an extracurricular activity, I’d also skip the sports and pick something animal-related, like the birding club. My admiration for Callie grew when she spoke up, even when she was intimidated.

By Joy McCullough,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Across the Pond as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 10, 11, 12, and 13.

What is this book about?

From the author of A Field Guide to Getting Lost comes a heartwarming, “emotionally perceptive” (Kirkus Reviews) story about new beginnings, burgeoning friendships, and finding your flock.

Callie can’t wait for her new life to start. After a major friendship breakup in San Diego, moving overseas to Scotland gives her the perfect chance to reinvent herself. On top of that, she’s going to live in a real-life castle!

But as romantic as life in a castle sounds, the reality is a little less comfortable: it’s run-down, freezing, and crawling with critters. Plus, starting off on the wrong foot with the…


Book cover of Bianca Torre Is Afraid of Everything

Sydney Langford Author Of The Loudest Silence

From my list on YA with disability and/or mental health rep.

Why am I passionate about this?

As a queer, disabled YA author, I focus on writing stories that reflect the complexities of identity, disability, and mental health. I believe every teen who is disabled and/or struggles with mental illness deserves to see themselves represented, but I’m also passionate about stories that allow able-bodied readers to gain insight into new perspectives. These book recommendations showcase diverse voices and highlight a disabled experience, and I hope books like these will foster a new generation that values inclusivity and representation. Happy reading!

Sydney's book list on YA with disability and/or mental health rep

Sydney Langford Why did Sydney love this book?

I found the murder mystery and eclectic queer cast so compelling that I finished this novel in just a few sittings!

It’s a witty whodunit that strikes the perfect balance between humor and thrill. I greatly related to the protagonist, an anxiety-riddled queer teen, and the anxiety—represented through run-on strings of thought/speech and an ever-growing list of worries—is so evocative it almost feels like a side character.

By Justine Pucella Winans,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Bianca Torre Is Afraid of Everything as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 14, 15, 16, and 17.

What is this book about?

Murder most fowl? In this sardonic and campy YA thriller, an anxious, introverted nonbinary teen birder somehow finds themself investigating a murder with their neighbor/fellow anime lover, all while falling for a cute girl from their birding group...and trying not to get killed next.

Sixteen-year-old Bianca Torre is an avid birder undergoing a gender identity crisis and grappling with an ever-growing list of fears. Some, like Fear #6: Initiating Conversation, keep them constrained, forcing them to watch birds from the telescope in their bedroom. And, occasionally, their neighbors. When their gaze wanders to one particular window across the street, Bianca…


Book cover of The Puzzling Pearls: Plum and Woo #1

Jon Glass Author Of Worcester Glendenis, Kid Detective

From my list on middle grade detective fiction.

Why am I passionate about this?

As a child I loved reading detective stories, and I still retain strong memories of Tintin and Sherlock Holmes, after which I graduated to Agatha Christie. As an adult my tastes changed and I lost interest in mysteries (with the exception of Edgar Alan Poe). However recently my interests have reversed, partly because I became a grandfather, and partly for the reason that I teach ethics to primary school children, as a volunteer. So it’s possible that Worcester Glendenis is a re-incarnation of me, but as the 12-year-old I wish I had been (as far as my memory can be relied upon to go back 60 years): more emotionally mature and more extrovert.

Jon's book list on middle grade detective fiction

Jon Glass Why did Jon love this book?

I love an Aussie mystery.

This book mixes seaside with intrigue, pools with pearls, parents with puzzles, as the two main characters bring their separate, and often conflicting, skills to the table in order to solve a mystery. The chapters are short and punchy with good cliffhangers at the end.

By Lisa Siberry,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Puzzling Pearls as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 8, 9, 10, and 11.

What is this book about?

A dazzling, whip-smart mystery series about two very different girls and a whole heap of danger ...

Hannah Plum loves fashion, fun, and junk food. Patti Woo is obsessed with detective novels, lives in leggings, and is definitely not Hannah's friend. But the two girls are stuck at the beachside Heartbreak Hotel together while Hannah's dad and Patti's mum are out birdwatching and - yuck! - falling in love.

When a hotel guest's beautiful pink wedding dress is stolen, Hannah is determined to get to the bottom of it. With a reluctant Patti in tow, the two girls are launched…


Book cover of The Gospel Truth
Book cover of Across the Pond
Book cover of Bianca Torre Is Afraid of Everything

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,720

readers submitted
so far, will you?