Moonbird: A Year on the Wind with the Great Survivor B95

Written by Phillip Hoose

Narrated by Phillip Hoose

Meet rufa red knot B95. Scientists call him the Moonbird because, in the course of his astoundingly long lifetime, this robin-sized shorebird has ?own the distance to the moon—and halfway back! Each February he joins a ?ock that lifts off from Tierra del Fuego, headed for breeding grounds in the Canadian Arctic, nine thousand miles away. Late in the summer, he begins the return journey.

B95 can fly for days, but eventually he must descend to refuel and rest. However, recent changes at stopover sites along his migratory circuit—changes caused mostly by human activity—have reduced the food available and made it harder for the birds to reach. During B95’s lifetime, the worldwide rufa population has collapsed by nearly 80 percent. Still, the Moonbird wings on; he is now nearly twenty years old. Shaking their heads, scientists ask themselves: How can this one bird make it year after year when so many others fall?

National Book Award–winning author Phillip Hoose shows the obstacles rufa red knots face, introduces a worldwide team of scientists and conservationists trying to save them, and offers insights about what we can do to help shorebirds before it’s too late. With inspiring prose, thorough research, and stirring images, Hoose explores the tragedy of extinction through the triumph of a single bird.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: Feb 5, 2013
• ISBN: 9781469282084

Phillip Hoose

Phillip Hoose is an award-winning author of books, essays, stories, songs and articles. Although he first wrote for adults, he turned his attention to children and young adults in part to keep up with his own daughters. His book Claudette Colvin won a National Book Award and was dubbed a Publisher's Weekly Best Book of 2009. He is also the author of Hey, Little Ant, co-authored by his daughter, Hannah; It’s Our World, Too!; The Race to Save the Lord God Bird; The Boys Who Challenged Hitler; and We Were There, Too!, a National Book Award finalist. He has received a Jane Addams Children’s Book Award, a Christopher Award, a Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, and multiple Robert F. Sibert Honor Awards, among numerous honors. He was born in South Bend, Indiana, and grew up in the towns of South Bend, Angola, and Speedway, Indiana. He was educated at Indiana University and the Yale School of Forestry. He lives in Portland, Maine.

Reviews for Moonbird

[salsabrarian · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Who knew that a bird could be a central character in a suspenseful environmental narrative? Phillip Hoose pulls you into B95's amazing saga as well as the larger story of red knots and shorebirds, their stamina and incredible migrations, plus their value to nature's chain of life. Perfect for budding environmentalists, young birders, and fans of non-fiction.

[jelizabethmills · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

5Q 4P (my codes)Salty sea air, screaming gulls, and the grit of sand beneath your feet--you're in the world of the Moonbird. With poetic text, stunning images, and an undercurrent of urgency for ongoing conservation efforts, this book grips readers from the opening words. Each chapter is packed with engaging text, photos, maps, and sidebars. The text reads smoothly and provides important vocabulary for the material, and sensory details are included to bring the story to life. This is a seamless blend of adventure, biography, science, geography, and heartwarming storytelling that is sure to delight young nature lovers!

[sparkleponies · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the fantastic story of B95 (aka Moonbird)and his approx. 18,000 mile annual journey from Tierra Del Fuego to the Canadian Arctic and back. Along the way the reader lots all sorts of information about shore birds, migration, habitats, interaction between humans and nature. Did you know that a quart of horseshoe crab blood can sell for $15K per quart! Phillip Hoose sure makes nonfiction interesting!

[lilibrarian · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The story of a small bird that has successfully made an annual 18,000 mile migration for the last 20 years, with discussion of the effects environmental changes are having on migratory birds.

[stefaniegeeks · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The audiobook is read by the author with a wonderful "Wild America" tone. The story is about a fascinating species of shorebird that travels a distance equivalent to going to the Moon during their lifetime. It focuses on years of study and the conservation efforts to keep the bird from going extinct.

[breeankay · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

5Q, 3P. This true account of a shorebird named B95, who has travelled the distance to the moon and halfway back in his 20+ years is an amazing survival story. Hoose does a perfect job blending science and story, combining many gorgeous photographs and ecologist profiles in the mix. Any young reader will be guaranteed to gain a lot from this book, caring more deeply about wildlife and our human impact on the environment. Some will even be inspired toward activism. I loved reading about B95, and am eager to check the internet for new sightings of him.

[sullywriter_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

See my forthcoming review in Kirkus.

[jenj5 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I am so slow at reading non-fiction which is really a shame, because it makes me pick up books like this far less often than I should. Hoose tells the story of B95, a rufa red knot, who has flown an enormous migration route from the top of North America to the bottom tip of South America for more than 20 years. The photography is informative and in some cases beautiful.

[codename5012 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very well written.

[deweyever · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A fascinating way of exploring the concepts of ecosystems and endangered animals through one being, a rufa red knot named B95 who has flown his migratory circuit for over 18 years. This book would be great for budding scientists and ecologists but is well-written enough to keep any interested reader's attention.