{"id":9085454123245,"title":"Snowy Owl Rescue","handle":"snowy-owl-rescue","description":"\u003ch6\u003eComing February 17, 2026. Pre-order today!\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Avian Adventurers #1:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eThe Snowy Owl Rescue\u003c\/h1\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003eRaptor Recovery\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/heidi-e-y-stemple\"\u003eHeidi E. Y. Stemple\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/natasha-donovan\"\u003eNatasha Donovan\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eBirdwatching! Borrrring, right? Not to these avian adventurers from Maynard Elementary as they fight a snowstorm in order to save a rare snowy owl.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMichael, the star of the soccer team, is about to kick his first practice shot when he hears a noise from behind him. Jet, a bird nerd and member of the Junior Bird Club, appears and shows Michael what he would have missed by being so singularly focused on the ball—a rare snowy owl on the goal post. While they watch, the owl captures a rat and devours it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe next day, a hoard of birders arrive and Michael thinks he may never get his soccer field back. But Jet has discovered that the owl is not well and the Junior Bird Club enlists Michael to help get the bird help during a snowstorm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMichael promised his parents he'd be home before the snow started, but with a hurt owl, will he? Join Michael and his new friends as they use all their talents and knowledge to rescue the snowy owl.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these: \u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/the-zuzu-secret\"\u003eThe Zuzu Secret\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/the-golden-necklace\"\u003eThe Golden Necklace\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/the-remarkable-rescue-at-milkweed-meadow\"\u003eThe Remarkable Rescue at Milkweed Meadow\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/avian-adventurers-snowy-owl-rescue-spread.jpg?v=1753300531\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" class=\"cvr-border-gray\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e \u003cscript type=\"text\/javascript\" async=\"\" defer data-pin-shape=\"round\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"medium-cover\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/avian-adventurers-snowy-owl-rescue-cover.jpg?v=1753300531\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca class=\"product-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/avian-adventurers-snowy-owl-rescue-cover-hires.tiff.zip?v=1756399207\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca class=\"product-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/snowy-owl-rescue-readers-group-guide.pdf?v=1764790308\"\u003eDownload the Reader's Group Guide\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHeidi E. Y. Stemple, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeidi Stemple didn’t want to be a writer when she grew up. In fact, after she graduated from college, she became a probation officer in Florida. It wasn’t until she was 28 years old that she gave in and joined the family business, publishing her first short story in a book called \u003ci\u003eFamous Writers and Their Kids Write Spooky Stories\u003c\/i\u003e. The famous writer was her mom, author Jane Yolen. Since then, she has published more than thirty-five books and numerous short stories and poems, mostly for children.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/heidi-e-y-stemple\"\u003eRead more \u003c\/a\u003eabout Heidi.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNatasha Donovan, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNatasha Donovan is a Métis and white illustrator with a focus on comics and children's illustration. Her short comic work has appeared in \u003ci\u003eThis Place\u003c\/i\u003e anthology and \u003ci\u003eWonderful Women of History\u003c\/i\u003e. She illustrated the award-winning children’s book series The Mothers of Xsan. She was also the illustrator of the graphic novels \u003ci\u003eSurviving the City\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eFrom the Roots Up\u003c\/i\u003e and the picture book biography \u003ci\u003eClassified.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/natasha-donovan\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Natasha.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComing soon!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/star-fade.gif?18127980511287865543\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSchool Library Journal,\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e starred review\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe first book in the new “Avian Adventurers” series introduces readers to star soccer player Michael; birdwatcher Jet; and a raptor, a large snowy owl with piercing, golden-yellow eyes. Team Co-Captain Michael is headed to the soccer field for some kicking practice. Without warning, something whizzes silently past his head, and he finds himself face down on the school’s snow-encrusted parking lot. Changing his mind about practicing, Michael heads home, but stops when he spots Jet. Armed with binoculars, Jet is watching a snowy owl perched on the soccer goal’s metal frame. Together, they watch the owl capture and eat a rat. But the next day, something is wrong. They find the owl crouched on the ground, dull-eyed and not moving. A major snowstorm has just begun, and Michael and Jet must get the owl through it and to a rehab center before it dies. Donovan’s detailed black-and-white pencil sketches help preteen readers visualize the action when Michael and Jet take up the challenge of saving a poisoned raptor in middle of a snowstorm. Throughout the adventure, the author engages both boys’ and girls’ reading interests by combining a backdrop of soccer with facts about raptors, animal rescue, and snowstorm survival skills. VERDICT A recommended purchase.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eBooklist\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMichael is heading out to play soccer when he suddenly finds himself flat on the ground. The bewildered boy knows he didn’t trip or get pushed, but he’s certain that something grazed him. A younger student in the vicinity—“that weird kid,” Michael muses—calls him over and clears up the mystery: he was buzzed by a snowy owl! This unexpected encounter sparks Michael’s begrudging interest in both the bird and the birder, the nonbinary Jet, who proudly leads the Junior Birdwatching Club. Though Michael would prefer to focus on soccer, the injured owl leads him on an extraordinary adventure that opens him up to new possibilities. It’s a thrill to watch Michael grow from reluctantly responsible to enthusiastically interested, and Jet offers a gentle introduction to nonbinary concepts while still feeling like a fully realized character in their own right. The humor and suspense will keep readers on their toes; the clear benefits of teamwork are obvious but not overdone. A satisfying chapter-book series opener that soars.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-62354-470-6\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 7–10\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 144\u003cbr\u003e5\u003csup\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\/\u003c\/span\u003e\u003csub\u003e2\u003c\/sub\u003e x 8\u003csup\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\/\u003c\/span\u003e\u003csub\u003e4\u003c\/sub\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePublication date: February 17, 2026\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]","published_at":"2025-10-07T11:34:25-04:00","created_at":"2025-08-28T12:36:56-04:00","vendor":"Charlesbridge","type":"Children's Book","tags":["Browse by Age_Ages 6-10","Browse by Fiction\/Nonfiction_Fiction","Browse by Format_Chapter Book","Browse by Language_English","Browse by Subject_Life Lessons \u0026 Skills","Browse by Subject_Science \u0026 Nature"],"price":1699,"price_min":1699,"price_max":1699,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":48605083238637,"title":"Hardcover","option1":"Hardcover","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"44706","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":44407937466605,"product_id":9085454123245,"position":1,"created_at":"2025-07-23T15:55:29-04:00","updated_at":"2025-07-23T15:55:31-04:00","alt":null,"width":600,"height":887,"src":"\/\/www.imaginebooks.net\/cdn\/shop\/files\/avian-adventurers-snowy-owl-rescue-cover.jpg?v=1753300531","variant_ids":[48605083238637]},"available":true,"name":"Snowy Owl Rescue - Hardcover","public_title":"Hardcover","options":["Hardcover"],"price":1699,"weight":567,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_quantity":20,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"continue","barcode":"9781623544706","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":36245355167981,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.676,"height":887,"width":600,"src":"\/\/www.imaginebooks.net\/cdn\/shop\/files\/avian-adventurers-snowy-owl-rescue-cover.jpg?v=1753300531"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.imaginebooks.net\/cdn\/shop\/files\/avian-adventurers-snowy-owl-rescue-cover.jpg?v=1753300531"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.imaginebooks.net\/cdn\/shop\/files\/avian-adventurers-snowy-owl-rescue-cover.jpg?v=1753300531","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":36245355167981,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.676,"height":887,"width":600,"src":"\/\/www.imaginebooks.net\/cdn\/shop\/files\/avian-adventurers-snowy-owl-rescue-cover.jpg?v=1753300531"},"aspect_ratio":0.676,"height":887,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.imaginebooks.net\/cdn\/shop\/files\/avian-adventurers-snowy-owl-rescue-cover.jpg?v=1753300531","width":600}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003ch6\u003eComing February 17, 2026. Pre-order today!\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Avian Adventurers #1:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eThe Snowy Owl Rescue\u003c\/h1\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003eRaptor Recovery\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/heidi-e-y-stemple\"\u003eHeidi E. Y. Stemple\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/natasha-donovan\"\u003eNatasha Donovan\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eBirdwatching! Borrrring, right? Not to these avian adventurers from Maynard Elementary as they fight a snowstorm in order to save a rare snowy owl.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMichael, the star of the soccer team, is about to kick his first practice shot when he hears a noise from behind him. Jet, a bird nerd and member of the Junior Bird Club, appears and shows Michael what he would have missed by being so singularly focused on the ball—a rare snowy owl on the goal post. While they watch, the owl captures a rat and devours it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe next day, a hoard of birders arrive and Michael thinks he may never get his soccer field back. But Jet has discovered that the owl is not well and the Junior Bird Club enlists Michael to help get the bird help during a snowstorm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMichael promised his parents he'd be home before the snow started, but with a hurt owl, will he? Join Michael and his new friends as they use all their talents and knowledge to rescue the snowy owl.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these: \u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/the-zuzu-secret\"\u003eThe Zuzu Secret\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/the-golden-necklace\"\u003eThe Golden Necklace\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/the-remarkable-rescue-at-milkweed-meadow\"\u003eThe Remarkable Rescue at Milkweed Meadow\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/avian-adventurers-snowy-owl-rescue-spread.jpg?v=1753300531\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" class=\"cvr-border-gray\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e \u003cscript type=\"text\/javascript\" async=\"\" defer data-pin-shape=\"round\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"medium-cover\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/avian-adventurers-snowy-owl-rescue-cover.jpg?v=1753300531\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca class=\"product-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/avian-adventurers-snowy-owl-rescue-cover-hires.tiff.zip?v=1756399207\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca class=\"product-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/snowy-owl-rescue-readers-group-guide.pdf?v=1764790308\"\u003eDownload the Reader's Group Guide\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHeidi E. Y. Stemple, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeidi Stemple didn’t want to be a writer when she grew up. In fact, after she graduated from college, she became a probation officer in Florida. It wasn’t until she was 28 years old that she gave in and joined the family business, publishing her first short story in a book called \u003ci\u003eFamous Writers and Their Kids Write Spooky Stories\u003c\/i\u003e. The famous writer was her mom, author Jane Yolen. Since then, she has published more than thirty-five books and numerous short stories and poems, mostly for children.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/heidi-e-y-stemple\"\u003eRead more \u003c\/a\u003eabout Heidi.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNatasha Donovan, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNatasha Donovan is a Métis and white illustrator with a focus on comics and children's illustration. Her short comic work has appeared in \u003ci\u003eThis Place\u003c\/i\u003e anthology and \u003ci\u003eWonderful Women of History\u003c\/i\u003e. She illustrated the award-winning children’s book series The Mothers of Xsan. She was also the illustrator of the graphic novels \u003ci\u003eSurviving the City\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eFrom the Roots Up\u003c\/i\u003e and the picture book biography \u003ci\u003eClassified.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/natasha-donovan\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Natasha.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComing soon!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/star-fade.gif?18127980511287865543\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSchool Library Journal,\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e starred review\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe first book in the new “Avian Adventurers” series introduces readers to star soccer player Michael; birdwatcher Jet; and a raptor, a large snowy owl with piercing, golden-yellow eyes. Team Co-Captain Michael is headed to the soccer field for some kicking practice. Without warning, something whizzes silently past his head, and he finds himself face down on the school’s snow-encrusted parking lot. Changing his mind about practicing, Michael heads home, but stops when he spots Jet. Armed with binoculars, Jet is watching a snowy owl perched on the soccer goal’s metal frame. Together, they watch the owl capture and eat a rat. But the next day, something is wrong. They find the owl crouched on the ground, dull-eyed and not moving. A major snowstorm has just begun, and Michael and Jet must get the owl through it and to a rehab center before it dies. Donovan’s detailed black-and-white pencil sketches help preteen readers visualize the action when Michael and Jet take up the challenge of saving a poisoned raptor in middle of a snowstorm. Throughout the adventure, the author engages both boys’ and girls’ reading interests by combining a backdrop of soccer with facts about raptors, animal rescue, and snowstorm survival skills. VERDICT A recommended purchase.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eBooklist\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMichael is heading out to play soccer when he suddenly finds himself flat on the ground. The bewildered boy knows he didn’t trip or get pushed, but he’s certain that something grazed him. A younger student in the vicinity—“that weird kid,” Michael muses—calls him over and clears up the mystery: he was buzzed by a snowy owl! This unexpected encounter sparks Michael’s begrudging interest in both the bird and the birder, the nonbinary Jet, who proudly leads the Junior Birdwatching Club. Though Michael would prefer to focus on soccer, the injured owl leads him on an extraordinary adventure that opens him up to new possibilities. It’s a thrill to watch Michael grow from reluctantly responsible to enthusiastically interested, and Jet offers a gentle introduction to nonbinary concepts while still feeling like a fully realized character in their own right. The humor and suspense will keep readers on their toes; the clear benefits of teamwork are obvious but not overdone. A satisfying chapter-book series opener that soars.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-62354-470-6\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 7–10\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 144\u003cbr\u003e5\u003csup\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\/\u003c\/span\u003e\u003csub\u003e2\u003c\/sub\u003e x 8\u003csup\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\/\u003c\/span\u003e\u003csub\u003e4\u003c\/sub\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePublication date: February 17, 2026\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]"}

Snowy Owl Rescue

Coming February 17, 2026. Pre-order today!

The Avian Adventurers #1:

The Snowy Owl Rescue

Raptor Recovery

By: Heidi E. Y. Stemple / Illustrated by: Natasha Donovan

Birdwatching! Borrrring, right? Not to these avian adventurers from Maynard Elementary as they fight a snowstorm in order to save a rare snowy owl.

Michael, the star of the soccer team, is about to kick his first practice shot when he hears a noise from behind him. Jet, a bird nerd and member of the Junior Bird Club, appears and shows Michael what he would have missed by being so singularly focused on the ball—a rare snowy owl on the goal post. While they watch, the owl captures a rat and devours it.

The next day, a hoard of birders arrive and Michael thinks he may never get his soccer field back. But Jet has discovered that the owl is not well and the Junior Bird Club enlists Michael to help get the bird help during a snowstorm.

Michael promised his parents he'd be home before the snow started, but with a hurt owl, will he? Join Michael and his new friends as they use all their talents and knowledge to rescue the snowy owl.

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Heidi E. Y. Stemple, author

Heidi Stemple didn’t want to be a writer when she grew up. In fact, after she graduated from college, she became a probation officer in Florida. It wasn’t until she was 28 years old that she gave in and joined the family business, publishing her first short story in a book called Famous Writers and Their Kids Write Spooky Stories. The famous writer was her mom, author Jane Yolen. Since then, she has published more than thirty-five books and numerous short stories and poems, mostly for children.

Read more about Heidi.


Natasha Donovan, illustrator

Natasha Donovan is a Métis and white illustrator with a focus on comics and children's illustration. Her short comic work has appeared in This Place anthology and Wonderful Women of History. She illustrated the award-winning children’s book series The Mothers of Xsan. She was also the illustrator of the graphic novels Surviving the City and From the Roots Up and the picture book biography Classified.

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School Library Journal, starred review

The first book in the new “Avian Adventurers” series introduces readers to star soccer player Michael; birdwatcher Jet; and a raptor, a large snowy owl with piercing, golden-yellow eyes. Team Co-Captain Michael is headed to the soccer field for some kicking practice. Without warning, something whizzes silently past his head, and he finds himself face down on the school’s snow-encrusted parking lot. Changing his mind about practicing, Michael heads home, but stops when he spots Jet. Armed with binoculars, Jet is watching a snowy owl perched on the soccer goal’s metal frame. Together, they watch the owl capture and eat a rat. But the next day, something is wrong. They find the owl crouched on the ground, dull-eyed and not moving. A major snowstorm has just begun, and Michael and Jet must get the owl through it and to a rehab center before it dies. Donovan’s detailed black-and-white pencil sketches help preteen readers visualize the action when Michael and Jet take up the challenge of saving a poisoned raptor in middle of a snowstorm. Throughout the adventure, the author engages both boys’ and girls’ reading interests by combining a backdrop of soccer with facts about raptors, animal rescue, and snowstorm survival skills. VERDICT A recommended purchase.

Booklist

Michael is heading out to play soccer when he suddenly finds himself flat on the ground. The bewildered boy knows he didn’t trip or get pushed, but he’s certain that something grazed him. A younger student in the vicinity—“that weird kid,” Michael muses—calls him over and clears up the mystery: he was buzzed by a snowy owl! This unexpected encounter sparks Michael’s begrudging interest in both the bird and the birder, the nonbinary Jet, who proudly leads the Junior Birdwatching Club. Though Michael would prefer to focus on soccer, the injured owl leads him on an extraordinary adventure that opens him up to new possibilities. It’s a thrill to watch Michael grow from reluctantly responsible to enthusiastically interested, and Jet offers a gentle introduction to nonbinary concepts while still feeling like a fully realized character in their own right. The humor and suspense will keep readers on their toes; the clear benefits of teamwork are obvious but not overdone. A satisfying chapter-book series opener that soars.

Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-62354-470-6

Ages: 7–10
Page count: 144
51/2 x 81/4

Publication date: February 17, 2026