Adams Starling tells the story of a nine year old boy who is finding lifedifficult. At home, no-one has any time for him. At school things are evenworse a gang of bullies has singled Adam out for punishment. Life is becomingincreasingly difficult for Adam. But then a scruffy little starling comes intoAdams life. This is Adams secret, his own special friend. But can Adamsdefend his small friend against the bullies? Will he find the courage he hasneeded all along?

ReviewThis story has tremendous potential for classroom use. An extremelythought-provoking book that would be an easy read for most 9- to 11-year olds. Janet McGonagle Childrens Books in Ireland Childrens Books in IrelandWhat an impressive debut! This book convincingly captures lifes hassles.Perdue is exceptionally good on Adams various relationships (her) handlingof the Adam/Grandad scenes are not only brilliant, they are also genuinelymoving, and the starling plot is never allowed to become tweety-sweety. Mynine-year-old thought it fantastic. Niall MacMonagle The Irish Times TheIrish Times This book is touching and sometimes sad. It would be great forchildren aged 8 upward. Teenage reviewer Catherine OMahony, iQ magazineThis is a good story told with much lively dialogue and it will sustainchildrens interest through thirteen quite meaty chapters. The SchoolLibrarian The School Librarian Sensitive study of a shy and insecure boy who,in the protection of something smaller and weaker than himself, manages tofinally confront the boys that constantly pick on him at school. BooksIreland Books Ireland Adams Starling belongs on the shelf of any home withschool-going children The bonding-with-animals theme makes this anappealing book, crashing through age and gender definitions in a warm-heartedway. Evening Herald Evening Herald gentle novel which confronts a seriousproblem in a sensitive and honest way. Bisto Award judges This is anintelligent, instructive book heavy with intent. Eileen Battersby TheIrish Times The Irish Times Its sensitive, imaginative treatment of the nowcliched theme of bullying makes it a great stocking-filler The SundayIndependent The Sunday Independent