Birdie is a historical Middle Grade fiction book set in 1950s England. It follows Birdie who, for as long as she can remember, has lived in a children’s home for mixed race children in Leeds. She now has to go live with her great-aunt in the Yorkshire Dales. From the moment Birdie steps into her new life she is treated like an outcast by almost everyone she meets. When running from bullies, Birdie finds a hiding place in the nearby coal mine. There Birdie finds her first new friend – Mr Duke, a pony working in the mine. He is the last pit pony in the village and as Birdie and the pony grow closer, she learns his future is in danger. Birdie comes up with a daring plan that may just save Mr Duke’s life.

Birdie is a really sweet and heartwarming book. Birdie faces so much racism and bullying in her new life. But she keeps her head high and proves everyone’s judgments wrong. Birdie is such a fun character to read about. She’s really funny and stubborn. She works really hard to do the right thing and I love seeing how she deals with each new situation she is put in.

Birdie’s relationship with Mr Duke is really amazing. She cares so much for him. I loved being able to see them save each other and be there when the other needed it most.

This book is full of hope, friendship and family. It also has lots of hardship and some really sad parts in it. Birdie gives a great insight into England in the 1950s, specifically racism and how it affected kids at the time. In the back of the book there is information on Birdie and the real things that inspired it. It was really interesting to learn some of the places and experiences that build Birdie’s story.

Birdie is a great book for any animal lover or anyone interested in history. Birdie is great for anyone 9+