Freedom Is For The Birds
FANTASY ROMANCE ACTION ADVENTURE COMEDY DRAMA EPIC FAMILY ADVENTURE DRAMA EPIC FAMILY
2000s
JM Sutherland
Logline
A novel of animal fiction, written from the animal's POV. It is a riveting, heartwarming, thought-provoking story about a family of red-tailed hawks that challenges and changes how you see all life. 2017 Book Excellence Award Winner, Sustainability Category; 2019 Canada Book Award Winner
Genre
Fantasy, Romance, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Epic, Family,,Adventure,Drama,Epic,Family
Short Summary
The pair of red-tailed hawks finish their spring migration to clutch their eggs, only to find their hunting territory and nesting site has been demolished. The story follows their daily lives of living & raising their family in a world of humans.
The male juvenile hawk (along with his dragon-fly companion), against the odds, makes it to the Hawk Naming Ceremony, where he is finally reunited with his family. Very happy ending! The additional Epilogue finishes the dragon-fly's migration.
Setting
The Rocky Mountains, from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, through the US, and then into Mexico.
Based on a True Story
Yes
Plot - Premise
,Nature overcoming human society,Internal Journey/Rebirth,Quest,Tragedy
Plot - Other Elements
Coming of Age, Happy Ending, Meaningful Message, Philosophical Questions, Twist,,Happy Ending,Meaningful Message,Philosophical Questions
Mature Audience Themes
Information not completed
Main Character Details
Name: Hawk Family - K'Lar, D'Ree, Kmal & Kmin
Age: Adults - 12, offspring less than 1
Gender: Other
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Aggressive, Charming, Engaging, Funny, Gracious, Naive, Strong Moral Code, Clumsy, Faithful, Honorable, Insecure, Aspiring, Confident, Outspoken, Selfless, Adventurous, Badass, Heroic, Obedient, Perseverance, Underdog,Engaging,Gracious,Honorable,Underdog,Educated,Selfless,Outspoken,Skillful,Funny,Visionary,Romantic,Strong Moral Code
Additional Character Details
Name: hawk friend, a pair of humans, entire animal class for school, hawks at rehabilitation center & couple more humans, dragon-fly friend, King of Hawks.
Age: hawk friend - elder, humans - 60s, animal class - less than 1, other hawks - various, other humans - various, dragon-fly - 5, Hawk King - 30
Gender: Other
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Heroic, Aspiring, Outspoken, Modest, Skillful, Adventurous, Complex, Engaging, Educated, Leader, Romantic, Selfless, Aggressive, Blunt, Confident, Underdog, Honorable, Perseverance, Strong Moral Code, Funny, Charming, Clumsy, Faithful, Beautiful, Flexible, Visionary, Gracious, Insecure, Obedient,Adventurous,Aspiring,Charming,Empathetic,Engaging,Faithful,Gracious,Heroic,Honorable,Underdog,Modest,Selfless,Outspoken,Skillful,Funny,Visionary,Romantic,Strong Moral Code,Clumsy
Additional Character Details
The author has not yet written this
Additional Character Details
The author has not yet written this
Development Pitch
Exerts from Michael Thal's review says it best: Thus begins J.M. Sutherland’s wonderful saga, Freedom is for the Birds, a book that should be required reading by every human being. As the book evolves, we begin to understand a sophisticated hawk society based on respect for others, themselves, and Mother Nature... Freedom is for the Birds is a fantasy with animals talking to each other and even attending classes together led by wise old owl, Griffin. Sutherland takes literary liberties to show her human audience the hawk perspective of the life they are endured to live due to mankind’s tragic housekeeping ways. No reader will walk away from this novel without feeling a deeper respect for the other organisms that inhabit our world. http://www.michaelthal.com/a-bird-fantasy