THE BIRD CAPER The Crow's Tales - Book One GOLD MEDAL WINNER in The Readers' Favorite Book Awards 2025 GOLD MEDAL WINNER in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards 2024 Prestigious B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree Gold Medal Winner Literary Titan Book Awards 2024 Authors of the Award-Winning The Big Dream! Are you ready for a thrilling adventure that will leave you on the edge of your seat? Look no further. In THE BIRD CAPER, e njoy a rollicking mystery adventure! Tensions mount when ten-year-old Brandon’s life spirals out of control because his parents decide to uproot him from the only home he’s ever known. “Holy Ravioli!” Brandon doesn’t like the idea for a hundred or more reasons. Why can’t his life stay just as it is? No CHANGES!! He worries about his pet birds and his friends. Will he lose everything important to him? Who knew moving to a new neighborhood could be so crazy? Or frightening! Brandon has moved near the scariest bullies in Middle School, the infamous B.B. Boys! How will he navigate their torture? He’ll need a plan to save himself. But wait… when Brandon’s pet crow, Ralph, is accused of stealing the head bully’s prized whistle there’s real trouble. Now, he needs a plan to save Ralph! Amidst the chaos, Brandon discovers an unexpected ally in the form of ladybugs, leading to a surprising resolution that teaches him that CHANGE while daunting, can also open doors to new friendships and adventures. A must-read for boys and girls 8-12 years old. Fans of “The Mysterious Benedict Society” will devour this captivating tale. Don’t wait, grab your copy today! Don’t forget to read THE BIG DREAM! Book 2 of THE CROW’S TALES, a 3-book series. Entertaining stories with wholesome values! The Back Story by Authors Pannell & Sigfusson It’s a funny thing. THE BIRD CAPER isn’t the book it started out to be. We were working on our first novel, THE BIG DREAM, and decided we wanted three books suitable for three different grade levels. We thought our readers would have fun growing up as the characters in the book grew older. When we first thought THE BIRD CAPER was completed, it was ten thousand words and written for third grade. As we continued working on the book, we realized how much we enjoyed writing for middle grades, scrapped our original writing plan, and focused on turning THE BIRD CAPER into a novel. We’re happy about that decision. We expanded nearly every chapter in the book and added several chapters to the front. The final book is about thirty-five thousand words. It more than tripled in length from its original size. Fun fact! The main character, Brandon, changed age three times while we wrote the story! Pretty crazy, right? When we started, Brandon was eight years old. Soon after we changed our plans for the story, we made him nine. Then, when we were nearly finished, we suddenly decided Brandon needed to be ten. That special double-digit age we all look forward to… it just felt right! Here’s the scoop. There are three books in The Crow’s Tales series. THE BIRD CAPER, THE BIG DREAM , and THE CROW’S RING. Each book is a stand-alone story (one story does not depend on another). However, there is something special about reading the books in order because the characters are different ages in each book. We hope our readers enjoy the adventures of Brandon and Ralph! " The Bird Caper by Victoria E. Pannell and Thorir Sigfusson is a heartwarming tale about embracing change and overcoming fears. The story follows Brandon, a boy who cherishes his friends, family, and a host of pets, particularly his beloved pigeons and a crow named Ralph. His world is turned upside down when his parents announce an unexpected move, forcing Brandon to confront uncertainties about his relationships and his cherished pets. As he navigates his new reality, Brandon embarks on a journey filled with surprising adventures and challenges, from dealing with a friend's disappointment to standing up to bullies who mock his passion for birds. Along the way, he discovers his knack for solving mysteries. Moving can be a daunting experience for many children, often seen as a negative disruption. However, The Bird Caper beautifully illustrates how such transitions can be opportunities for growth and new friendships. Brandon's gradual adaptation process, narrated from his perspective, allows readers to deeply connect with his emotional journey. The plot is rich and engaging, covering various aspects of school, family life, and social interactions, providing a multifaceted view of Brandon's experience. The story's mystery elements add an intriguing layer to the narrative. Brandon's involvement in small but significant mysteries, like when Ralph the crow steals computer chips from his best friend, showcases his problem-solving skills and adds excitement to the plot. These episodes, while rooted in everyday occurrences, maintain a dynamic and relatable storyline that keeps readers invested in Brandon's adventures. While the plot revolve