This is the kind of middle-grade book that doesn't talk down to kids. Yes, it's about a boy who talks to animals, but it's also about extinction, isolation, and finding the courage to act when everything feels hopeless. The opening—Kester locked away, unable to speak—is heavy, and the environmental themes are genuinely grim. But it's balanced with genuine invention (ninety-nine pigeons! a bossy cockroach!) and characters who are funny, flawed, and brave.

Parents consistently note it's darker than expected but worth it for the emotional and environmental lessons. It's not a breezy read, but it's the kind of book that sticks with kids and builds real empathy for the natural world. If your kid is ready for something with stakes and heart, this delivers.