Thirteen-year-old Laleh Lateef's world shatters when her ornithologist father vanishes from the bird sanctuary they called home. She's forced to live with her grouchy uncle, quiet aunt, and rebellious cousin Ivy, who delights in calling her "Bird Nerd." Life feels hopeless-until two crow brothers, Gold and Silver, begin delivering strange gifts. When the gifts fit together into a magical device that lets Laleh talk to birds, she uncovers a breathtaking secret: Her father's disappearance is part of a larger menace haunting the sanctuary. And her uncle is the likely culprit. With the sanctuary and its feathered residents in danger, Laleh and Ivy must team up-whether they like it or not-and follow the clues through an ancient Middle Eastern legend known as The Language of the Birds . Their destination: Avesia, the mythical sky realm of perfect bird habitats. The catch? No one has ever reached it without wings. "A well-balanced story that delivers on promises of facts, fantasy, and fun." -Kirkus Reviews "Taken from her forest home to live among relatives who misunderstand her gifts, Laleh-joined by cousin Ivy and guided by bird companions Gold and Silver-sets out to find her missing father and break a dangerous curse. In this feminist retelling of a twelfth-century Persian legend, Gurel offers a fantastical, empowering story of a girl who hears truth in birdsong-a soaring debut!" -Amy Makechnie, author of the critically acclaimed middle-grade novel The Unforgettable Guinevere St. Clair and other books for young people "Gurel's beautiful ornithological descriptions interwoven with Sufi poet Attar's work serve as a backdrop for steadfast Laleh and her spirited cousin's gripping quest to save her father and the birds from her merciless uncle. Laleh and the Language of Birds is a poignant exploration of family, devotion, and the quiet yet enduring courage required to protect those who matter most, all imbued with a sense of wonder that lingers long after the final page." -Dr. Haleh Massey, author of Say Something, Poupeh Babaee! "You don't have to be a bird lover to enjoy the witty dialogue and amazing antics of the multitude of birds that two young girls encounter in the avian world of Avesia. In this double bildungsroman, two teenage cousins go on a quest, face challenges, and in the process 'get their wings, ' discovering their own identities and values. It's a fantasy about the sacredness of the natural world, the thrill of imagination, and the reality and possibilities of love." -Laura Fuderer, climate watch coordinator for South Bend-Elkhart Bird Alliance "A stunning flight into myth and imagination, Laleh's skyward quest is as heartfelt as it is thrilling. This enchanting debut novel will sweep readers into a world of magic, led by a delightfully witty pair of talking crows. Bravo!" -Lisa Schmid, author of Ollie Oxley and the Ghost and Hart & Souls "At its core, this adventure celebrates bravery, friendship, and the power of combining science and imagination. Fans of fantasy quests, fast-paced adventures, and stories about defeating evil will find this tale absolutely flap-tastic." -Sharon Brown, elementary school librarian and member of Operation Literature, whose goal is to elevate children's literature for all children and in all cultures Perin Gurel is an Associate Professor of American Studies and Gender Studies at the University of Notre Dame. Born and raised in Istanbul, she is the author of two academic books and many articles on the cultural history of US-Middle East relations. One summer's day, Perin found a story her then eight-year-old daughter Marjane had begun writing on a piece of scrap paper. She had to know how the story would end, but Marjane refused to write more of it. Willful child! So it came to pass that Professor Gurel veered from the straight and narrow path of archival research and became a wild-eyed Wildling, who now raves about summoned wings, feathered devices, and nature's magic.