The Aviary

by Kathleen O'Dell

Hardcover, 2011

Status

Available

Call number

813.6

Genres

All Topics

Fiction

Collection

Your library

Publication

Knopf Books for Young Readers (2011), Library Binding, 352 pages

Description

In late nineteenth-century Maine, isolated, eleven-year-old Clara Dooley gains a friend and uncovers a magical secret that changes her life when she learns to care for the once-feared birds in the aviary attached to the Glendoveer mansion where she lives.

User reviews

LibraryThing member Shadowrose96

The Aviary is a mystery novel with a very interesting and original twist. We are introduced to the main character, Clara, who is a willful young girl with the urge to find something more then her sheltered life in the Glendoveer mansion. However when the elderly mistress of the house chooses to

show Clara a picture of her son Elliot things begin to change in the young girl’s world. Suddenly everything in the house becomes a part of a story that she feels compelled to know, especially the suddenly talkative birds that are caged in the large aviary.She meets another young girl named Daphne and quickly enlists her help in solving the Glendoveer mystery.

I found Clara and Daphne to be a very likable and sweet young girls, who have that surprisingly tough and determined side that can be found in all girls their age. Their personalities are a compliment to the others’ and it was fun to read their conversations, it’s filled with that youthful acceptance and love that really warms your heart. Harriet and Ruby were also lovely characters and played their roles well. Harriet the sensible but overprotective mother and Ruby the open-minded and flighty family friend.

The story surround the Glendoveers’ and the birds is a very intriguing one that wasn’t expecting at all. I caught on pretty quickly after a few clues were uncovered but it by no means diminished my want to know exactly what happened. The book’s info page states that this is intended for 8-12 year olds and while I personally wouldn’t give this a child under 10 I’m pretty sure that the intrigue and mystery will be even stronger for them. I also really loved the part the birds play in helping Clara figure out what exactly had happened to Glendoveer family, but I also found them to be a sad aspect of the story. To be completely honest this book reminds of The Secret Garden, the main character is far more agreeable but the writing has that same feel to it and the setting is similar. It was however a bit darker then I expected from a middle grade book, it’s by no means a Gothic novel but it does deal with a very sad story centered around the Glendoveer children and even malicious intent on the part of the ‘bad’ guy.

The writing is wonderful and gives you just the right tone to make you ‘feel’ what Clara feels, and despite some more the more sad aspects it still holds that innocent and light tone that children are so famous for. There were a few punctuation mistakes throughout but they were rare and only truly succeeded in tripping me up once during one of the more lengthy conversations. Overall I really enjoyed this book and if I had a child of about 10 I would certainly consider letting them read this (depending on their mindset of course), but I’d also recommend this to those who enjoy mysteries with a sort of whimsical twist. Oh and as a side note, I love the cover art for this book.

I received this ARC in a giveaway listed on the blog Bibliopunkk

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LibraryThing member TheLostEntwife

This is what I love about literature. That I can pick up a book like The Aviary and enjoy the story, smile and put it down. Then, I can pick up a book of Grimm’s Fairy Tales, and see very, very interesting parallels between The Aviary and a story about seven ravens. And all of the sudden, The

Aviary takes on entirely different overtones.

So this story is, unfortunately, predictable – but in spite of that, it’s fun. It’s a fantastic story for middle-graders, and even though I guessed everything that was happening just before it was revealed, I still enjoyed the revelation when it happened. There’s elements of The Secret Garden, the Grimm’s Fairy Tale mentioned about, and some other bits and pieces of childhood favorites, and everything meshes together to create a thoroughly enchanting world – I mean, what little girl or boy wouldn’t love the thought of a secret child locked away in an old mansion? (Although, now that I think about it – the story was on par with the Grimm’s Tales in a way!)

This is one I recommend if you are looking for a fairy-tale-like story with a bit of a darker tone to it.

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LibraryThing member ALelliott

For readers:

Aviary (n): a large cage or house or enclosure where birds are kept.

Clara Dooley lives with her mother, housekeeper, and old Mrs. Glendoveer in a large mansion. Kept inside by poor health, Clara dreams of making a real friend and being able to go to school, but is mostly content with

her life. The only thing that really frightens her is the large aviary in the backyard, where the five birds living there shriek raucously every time she goes by. Then Clara finds a key that unlocks a mystery decades in the making, and she begins to suspect that the birds are more than just pets.

O'Dell spins a mystery tale that is equally fascinating and creepy. Why do these birds suddenly begin to speak as if they were human? What happened to Mrs. Glendoveer's only son, Elliot, who disappeared many years ago? Was Mr. Glendoveer merely an illusionist? Or a true magician? This book will keep you up at night desperately reading to find the answers.

For educators and librarians:

An atmospheric mystery for your more advanced readers, The Aviary is a ghost story with just the right blend of thrill and creeps. Students will enjoy unlocking the puzzle of the Glendoveer mansion and the identity of the birds, as well as their connection to Clara.

Reading level: 5th-8th grade
Appropriateness: Fine
Who would like this book: students who enjoy mystery stories, might be a good precursor to Agatha Christie

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LibraryThing member RoseMarion

“Together always to the last,
Our love shall hold each other fast.
Delivered from the frost and foam,
None shall fly ‘til all come home.”

The above poem plays an important role in the unique and heartwarming mystery, The Aviary by Kathleen O’Dell.

Young 11-year-old Clara Dooley lives at the

turn of the 20th century with her mother, Harriet and the housekeeper, Ruby in the old and haunting Glendoveer Mansion in Lockhaven, Maine. The three women live in the mansion with the matriarch of the Glendoveer family, sickly yet kind Cenelia Glendoveer. While Clara loves her mother, Ruby, and even Mrs. Glendoveer, she is frustrated with her life. Nobody from the neighborhood ever visits, and there are frightening birds that Mrs. Glendoveer adores living in the backyard aviary. Inquisitive Clara wishes she could go to school and play with the other children in Lockhaven. Unfortunately, she has an unspecified heart condition which causes her mother to be very overprotective. Thus, young Clara’s only true outlet is reading.

One day, while Clara is looking out the window, a young girl from the neighborhood waves to her. This girl, Daphne Aspinal, is the one person who wants to be friends with Clara. However, how can Clara be friends with someone when she isn’t even allowed to leave her home? Soon after this event, the birds in the aviary start to repeat the name “Elliot.” Who is Elliot? Clara soon finds out the answer to this question which starts her on a quest to unravel the truth of the Glendoveer family mystery.

The Aviary, written by Kathleen O’Dell, is an extremely fascinating middle grade novel. The mystery of the Glendoveer family is richly told with riveting details. Clara is a strong and sweet heroine, her friendship with Daphne is precious, and the story of the Glendoveer family is touching and engrossing. The Aviary is getting buzz as a Newbery contender for 2012, and I would recommend it to those of all ages who enjoy well-written and extraordinary youth literature!

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LibraryThing member The_Hibernator

Clara Dooley has lived her whole life in the decrepit Glendoveer mansion, where her mother is the care-taker of the elderly Mrs Glendoveer. Clara's mother keeps her hidden away from the outside world, claiming that Clara's health is fragile. At 12, Clara has come to an age where she wants to test

her boundaries - and just such an opportunity arrives when her elderly patron passes away, a new girl moves into the neighborhood, and the birds in the aviary begin to speak to her. With her new friend, Clara must discover the secrets of the Glendoveer mansion, and decide whether the birds are friends or foes.

This was a cute little ghost story / mystery for children (probably girls) ages 9-12. It used the basic adults-don't-want-to-share-secrets format, while keeping the adults likable and intelligent. The two little girls were adorable and fun. And the birds, once they started developing characters, were a very interesting twist. I found this book an engaging and quick read. Highly recommended for lovers of middle-grade ghost stories / mysteries.

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LibraryThing member 68papyrus

The Aviary was spine tingling Gothic novel. It was so intriguing and suspenseful I read it in one sitting! Clara Dooley lives in the dilapidated Glendoveer mansion with her mother the housekeeper, Ruby the cook and ailing Mrs. Glendoveer. Clara lives a very sheltered life with only adults for

company and the mysterious birds in the aviary. When Mrs. Glendoveer passes away, Clara longs to know the secrets of her identity and the mystery.that surrounds the Glendoveer family. This book was at heartwarming as it was chilling. Clara, is a bright and kind hearted girl who has charm and a courageous spirit. I was cheering Clara on throughout the story in her search for the truth. Although, this book is aimed at middle grade readers it could be enjoyed by older readers as well

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LibraryThing member thehidingspot

Every time I stumble across a book like Kathleen O'Dell's The Aviary, I'm amazed that more readers - of all ages - don't read middle grade. The Aviary is very Gothic in setting and tone and simultaneously bursting with colorful characters, a unique combination. There are secrets and magic, plus a

good dose of realism and a lesson or two as well. It actually reminded me a bit of Ransom Riggs' Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.

The main character, Clara, is a delightful character: headstrong, adventurous, and incurably curious. I would have enjoyed The Aviary based solely on the premise and setting, but Clara made me love it. Her curiosity was engaging and infectious, ensuring that the reader was never plagued by a dull moment or stale passage, simply because Clara herself was always plotting her next move and going off on some adventure.

Since The Aviary is in many respects a mystery, there are many great elements I feel I can't really comment on in much depth. I can, however, say that every detail in The Aviary comes together quite elegantly and I was left completely satisfied by the ending. I spent much of the novel hypothesizing about how everything fit together... I liked that the mystery wasn't ridiculously easy to solve, but all the pieces of the puzzle were there, waiting to be put together by the reader and the intrepid Clara.

The Aviary is one of wonderful titles that can be enjoyed by a wide variety of readers. It is, plain and simple, a wonderfully written and imagined novel and didn't feel at all confined to one specific reading level. It could easily be a read for the whole family and will appeal to those who usually read young adult or adult titles.

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LibraryThing member foggidawn

Eleven-year-old Clara has always lived in the old Glendoveer house -- her mother is housekeeper and caretaker for the elderly Mrs. Glendoveer, the only surviving member of the Glendoveer family. Clara has always been considered "delicate" and is rarely allowed to leave the house, but she knows that

the people in the neighborhood are a little afraid of the Glendoveer house and its inhabitants. Clara knows she has nothing to fear from the house, or from sweet old Mrs. Glendoveer, but she is rather frightened of the five exotic birds in the aviary -- especially when one of them begins to shriek at her in what sounds like Latin. She tells Mrs. Glendoveer about the speaking bird, and Mrs. Glendoveer encourages her to listen and learn more about the birds. Shortly after that conversation, however, Mrs. Glendoveer dies. Can Clara solve the mystery of the aviary and the tragic history of the Glendoveer family on her own?

For me, this was one of those books that I liked but didn't love, which makes it difficult to review. The characters were interesting enough, though I felt the pacing lagged in places. The overall atmosphere was well done, and I feel like there aren't very many Gothic books for children, so I hope this one finds its audience.

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LibraryThing member Yona

I loved this story. Suspenseful, imaginative and about as magical and charming a story as I could have hoped for. Thanks April.

LibraryThing member Inky_Fingers

This is a tough one to rate. I really like the characters, the relationships, and the way the author commits to making each moment in the story live. The 19th century setting is very believable. But the fantasy element seems tentative, almost as though the author is afraid of it, and I do wonder if

she has written fantasy before and keeps up with what contemporary middle grade fantasy is like. That's not to say there won't be many fans of this book among kids. It has a very solid, classic feel to it, and may appeal more to fans of historical fiction than fantasy.

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LibraryThing member alaina.loescher

This book was wonderful. At first, I was off put by the time period that the story takes places. I am not usually a fan of historical fantasy, but this book was really well done. All of the characters speak in the way of the time period and there are no anachronisms, making the setting wonderfully

accurate. I loved piecing the storyline together along with Clara. My only small qualms with the story would be that some of the characters seemed one note and that the cursive of the letters within the story may be difficult for kids to read. Overall, this story reminded me of the work of Neil Gaiman and I thought that it was beautifully written.

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