Written by Michelle Cuevas, Illustrated by Julie Morstad
Nashville comes into his family’s life in an “improbable” way. Nashville’s mother enjoyed watching a Nashville warbler building its nest in a tree outside her window. The bird laid two eggs which she also watched closely. But when the eggs disappeared, her husband found one and “what spilled out was not a bird and it was not dead.” It was Nashville. Nashville’s parents nursed him and raised him alongside their daughter, Junebug. Although his family loves and accepts him, the community doesn’t know what to make of him and at times, he doesn’t know what to make of himself.
This book by Michelle Cuevas tells the magical, tender story of Nashville as he grows into a boy who loves his family, yet has a longing that he doesn’t quite understand. As he follows his instincts, his story becomes one of hope and inspiration.
Review by Laurie Blake, Roosevelt Elementary Media Center
Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5 stars)
Interest Level: Grades 4-7
Author Website: http://www.michellecuevas.com/
Beyond the Laughing Sky
Written by Michelle Cuevas, Illustrated by Julie Morstad
Dial Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Group
143 pages
Release Date: October 2, 2014 (hardback), October 6, 2015 (paperback)
