I personally loved this book. I started reading it, having nothing better to do, thinking I wouldn't enjoy it, but it had me hooked until the end! There is a great story line, with amusing characters, realistic life tragedies, and a happy "togetherness" quality throughout the book. With a just a touch of romance, and some adventure/suspense, this is a 'must-read' for anyone ages 9&up. ( )

Chasing RedBird is a book about a girl named Zinny who was still trying to figure out who she was when she discovered something that would bring her closer to her aunt, and went to search for it.

It has some interesting characters like her aunt "Redbird" who is the basis for Zinny's adventure, and Jake Boone, the troubled guy next door. My interest was held all the way through. ( )

In Chasing Redbird, Sharon Creech takes on topics of death and grieving, coming of age, forging identities, and being part of a family -- all in terms accessible to young readers. Zinnia Taylor, the story's protagonist, is thirteen years old and feels lost in the swarm of her six brothers and sisters. She gets little individual attention and does not feel she has much identity of her own. She is also struggling to come to terms with the long-ago death of her cousin and the more recent death of her aunt. Then one day Zinny discovers a hidden trail, and captures the attentions of a cute boy....

Over the course of the novel, as Zinny clears the trail and learns to assert herself, she works through a range of emotions all very natural and appropriate for a thirteen-year-old girl. And as she struggles to cope with the deaths of her cousin and aunt, she works through emotions common to any mourner. Her uncle and parents, too, are grieving, each in their own way, and Creech expertly navigates these sensitive subjects to make the grief and emotions accessible and acceptable. It is particularly nice for young readers to learn that Zinny doesn't always know why she's doing the things she does, but that she follows her heart and her inclinations to do what's best for her. And even though she gets into her fair share of trouble, she takes responsibility for her own actions.

The story is told well, and the narrative flows smoothly. There are lessons to be learned, and nothing in the story that would be inappropriate for readers of any age. It's a nicely empowering tale for young girls, especially. The story wasn't overwhelmingly compelling, and is probably mostly forgettable, but it's nice in its simplicity and sensitivity to troubling subjects.

This is a story about a girl who wants to find her own path in life and wants her voice to be heard. I think it would be an excellent story for the child to read who is feeling left out and feels like giving up because no one cares. I liked this story.

Students get to know Zinnia at the beginning of the book and about the special relationship she had with her Aunt and Uncle. She finds out that she too was chasing something when she left to clear the trail. She needed to make herself into someone different from the rest of the family members. She had always felt alone and left out. Unfortunately her parents did not realize what was going on because she never complained about others taking things from her or having to live with hand me down items. She began chasing a dream of finding her own place and when she returns she feels she has been replaced and the relationship are different. Zinnia finds a love in Jake and he feels the same towards her. Students who read the book will find they need to develop a voice to be heard and get the attention. As Zinnia finds the old cabin with all the missing items from her aunt and cousin, she realizes they never will be forgotten. She shows she cares for her uncle when she takes him to the cabin. He comes to terms with his chase for his redbird like Zinnia does when she finishes the trail. I did not realize this book was for younger children but would be a good book for students who are struggling readers when they are trying to find their place in the world. There is quite a bit of skipping around at the beginning of the book but as you read you understand the search for self. ( )