Wild Bird

The book opens with Wren being “kidnapped” from her house and taken to wilderness therapy camp. How does this contribute to Wren’s trust issues and sense of betrayal? What helps Wren to overcome the hurt she feels about this?

Nature, community, and storytelling are all powerful healing factors within the book, and they work in intertwined ways. Given this, why are new campers isolated until they acquire certain skills? Does this experience contribute negatively or positively to Wren’s journey?

Compare and contrast Wren’s relationships with Meadow and Hannah. What lessons about friendship and trust does she take away from both relationships?

Comment on the illustrations that accompany each part of the book. What do each of them represent? How do they foreshadow the events that take place? Do they tie into any larger themes within the book?

In a contrast to her relationship with her parents, Wren responds very differently to the adults at camp. What causes this difference? What behaviors or circumstances elicit negative responses from Wren at home, and positive ones in the wild?

Examine Mokov’s character. What significance does he hold within the larger story? Critically examine the use and representation of Indigenous American culture within the book.

Examine at least three different appearances of the bird motif and explain how this image enhances and affects the primary events in the story.

What different labels are applied to Wren throughout the book? Which does she reject, which does she reclaim, and which does she adopt? Use examples from the text to support your discussion.