The Girl Who Cried Bird (The Too-Tall Tales of Alma T. Best, #2)
By Katherine Collette
Reviewed by Mia Macrossan
This second instalment in the Too-Tales of Alma T Best is just as entertaining as the first volume Out of Bounds. It’s not necessary to have read this as The Girl Who Cried Bird works very well on its own.
Alma is twelve, very tall, and a middle child. Her younger sister, Molly and her Dad are keen birders, something Alma has no interest in whatsover, so it is ironic when she is the one to see the rare purple- bellied parrot. Instant fame, of sorts, follows, which is very pleasing until some doubt is cast on her sighting. In an attempt to prove the experts wrong Alma gets into all sorts of strife as gradually things spiral from bad to worse .
Alma is a complex person, with many mixed emotions. Her intentions are always good, but the methods she chooses to achieve her aims are sometimes questionable. Alma’s voice is a masterpiece in comedic writing. The opening chapter where Alma is in her room expecting her family to prepare her a special breakfast as it is National Middle Child Day only to find that she is late and all that is left is the rejected lukewarm first pancake sets the tone for the rest of the story which culminates in a hilarious mistaken identity/missing person on a bus end scenario and a touching denouement.
It is always a challenge for the second in a series to match the impact created by the first but The Girl Who Cried Bird is another funny relatable fast paced story. Themes of family, school and friendship underpin this tale where the numerous cartoons again add so much fun to the text.
Reading about Alma is addictive and I look forward to more of her adventures as she progresses learning about life in her own inimitable way.
This second instalment in the Too-Tales of Alma T Best is just as entertaining as the first volume Out of Bounds. It’s not necessary to have read this as The Girl Who Cried Bird works very well on its own.
