• Age: 9 to 12
• Grade: 4 to 7
• Reading age: 9 to 12

A bird and a BFF

Arden Sachs has always wanted a pet: a purring kitten or an adorable puppy, or even a fuzzy guinea pig. But living in a cramped condo with her mom and siblings means she’s unhappily pet-free. Then her Uncle Eli, a professor and scientist, asks Arden to look after Ludwig, his African Grey parrot, while he’s away on sabbatical in Guinea. A little afraid of the bird, Arden reluctantly agrees to prove that she can handle pet ownership.

But when Ludwig goes beyond his usual sounds and imitations to spout numbers and words that seem way too complex for a parrot, Arden wonders if there's more to this bird than meets the eye. As they get to know each other, Arden realizes Ludwig is not only super smart, he's also fiercely loyal, helping her with everything from her school presentation to her bully problems, and her pursuit of a spot on the Science Bowl team. Ludwig may not be the pet Arden wanted, but he might turn out to be exactly the pet she needed.

The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

Joanne Levy is the author of the award-winning Sorry For Your Loss, a book set in a funeral home inspired by the one her dad manages. Her other books include The Sun Will Come Out, Fish Out of Water, and Bird Brain. She can usually be found at her computer, either creating spreadsheets (sometimes just for fun) or channeling her younger self into books. Joanne lives in rural Ontario, Canada, with her husband and several pets, one of whom vomited during the writing of this bio.

Joanne Levy's profile page

“Readers who are dealing with bullying will identify with how Marni causes Arden to have major anxiety about herself and school. Children interested in the intelligence of birds, and parrots in particular, will enjoy this book. A fun read.”

Children's Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD)

“Arden is a nerdish heroine, keen on science and not afraid of showing that she is brighter than most of her classmates, but she is still a sympathetic character that readers can relate to without difficulty. Recommended”

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

“An engaging, heartwarming, and, at times, laugh-out-loud funny middle-grade novel that will appeal to a broad range of readers—animal lovers, STEM enthusiasts, and even science fiction fans.”

Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) Canadian Children’s Book News

“Levy offers a well-paced, realistic story that explores bullying and its effects on the victim over a period of time, while offering fascinating information about African Grey parrots. With well-drawn characters and an appealing first-person narrative, Levy’s latest is a fine choice for middle-grade readers who prefer relatively short chapter books.”

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