Category: Young Adult/Teen Publisher: Aurora House
ISBN-10: 0992339928
Type: Fiction
Pages: 238
Copyright: 2009
ISBN-13: 9780992339920
Price: $0.70 (eBook)
It's the firs book of a children's adventure series, called "Talon"
Talon: Come Fly With Me, is about the life of nine-year-old Matica. Matica lives in a remote village on a dry plateau in the Andes of Peru. She moved here with her Australian missionary and schoolteacher parents when she was five years old. Ever since she could remember she faced cruel rejection because of the growth handicap that traps her in a body the size of a two-year-old. Because of that, the local Indians wouldn’t accept her into their community or allow her to play with their children.
Under the watchful eyes of her parents who understand her, lonely Matica explores the plateau for entertainment. Back when she was seven, she had noticed a pair of condors soaring near the mountains. With patience and a sense of adventure she befriended them and named them Tamo and Tima. A strong bond and love developed between them.
The book begins two years later as she helplessly witnessed poachers stealing the condors’ egg from its ledge. After a dramatic fight between Tamo and the poachers, Tamo drives them away and the poachers leave the egg on the way down. Being unable to bring it back to the ledge, Tamo and Tima makes it clear to Matica to take care of the egg.
Exactly on Matica’s tenth birthday, the condor Talon hatches. Matica teaches Talon how to grow into a majestic bird. When the time comes for Talon to fly, he can’t get off the ground. He needs to jump off a high place to be able to fly, like all condor fledglings. The family takes Talon on a long walk to a suitable cliff. After a difficult climb with Talon, they eventually reach the precipice. Talon then musters the courage to jump and learns to fly.
Two months later the most unbelievably amazing thing happens. What Matica had dreamed of ever since she first befriended the condors, actually unfolds. That changes her life so completely that she can now see a positive side to her handicap. The Indians then fully accept the new Matica into their community.
Excerpt
Nine year old Matica lives in a remote village on a dry plateau in the Andes of Peru. She moved to Peru when she was five with Australian missionary and schoolteacher parents. Because Matica is trapped in the body of a two year old, her growth handicap has caused her to be rejected by the local people and they would not accept her into their community or allow her to play with the children.
With patience and a sense of adventure Matica befriends a pair of condors. A strong bond and love develops between them.
Matica rescues the egg the condors, Tamo and Tima, are trying to protect from poachers and nurtures it to hatching. The egg hatches on her 10th birthday and she names the new fledging Talon.
Many adventures unfold, including her finally being accepted into the local community. And something totally unexpected...
This is the beginning of many incredible adventures with Talon and Matica. It is a story of inspiration, friendship, love and children's self esteem.
Professional Reviews
Sigrid
I loved this book. From the beginning till the end it was very fascinating. Gigi tells the story about Matica and her friends, the condors, with so much affection. I always thought while reading this book, what will happen next. I really enjoyed reading this book, especially the occasions when Matica and her brother were looking in the dust for a food gift for the condors to make friends with them. There are so many parts in the book that you really think you live and do things with Matica together. It is so realistic.
by inajiffy
This is a terrific read for those up to 10 years old. The reader immediatley relates to MATICA the main character. Her adventures are breathtaking. Sympathy for the Condor birds she associates with is heart-wrenching.
Innajiffy
TALON Come fly with me, a childrens book full of adventure, passion and courage.
I always read books before handing them on to children to read, to make sure of the content and although "TALON Come fly with me" is a childrens book I really enjoyed it. I was able to see the story unfold in my imagination. It gave me an insight into life in the Andies, which is a place that I had previously never thought of. I loved the passion that 'Matica' had for her Condor. It also made me curious about the Condor which again is a creature that I had never given any thought to and I discovered that Peruvians hold the Condor in high regard. They believe while the Condor flies in their skies their way of life will stay safe and bountyful. So you see this book was not just a story for me but an education as well. I will be reading this story to my Granddaughter when she is old enough to understand.
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Reviews for "Talon, come fly with me (Book 1)"
Reviewed by fallon johns
12/18/2012
Talon Review by Fallon Johns
Talon is a beautiful story of courage, love, and friendship… I really enjoyed reading this book, it is a book that a person any age can read, understand and enjoy. This book is about a young girl named Matica, she lives in a small village in the Andes in Peru, South America; with her father, mother and younger brother. Matica is considered disabled and is not accepted by her peers so she develops an amazing relationship with of all things; a pair of condors.
Not only does the book Talon give a great view on a relationship between human and animals but Talon also points out issues that children are experiencing now in our society. There are a lot of people who experience what Matica has experienced in this book. Children and even adults experience being treated definitely because of mental or physical disabilities, Talon is a book that helps people understand how people with disabilities feel and the book also teaches us all about acceptance and loving people for who they are inside and not by physical appearance.
I would definitely recommend this book as a teaching tool of love and acceptance for all ages. There are so many wonderful lessons that people can learn just by reading this incredible book… As I stated earlier Talon is a story of love, courage, friendship, family, and learning to accept all people regardless of disability, etc. If anyone is looking for an amazing reading experience, I definitely recommend reading Talon.