True Story of Stellina, The

The book recounts the true story of Stellina, a wild finch found as a hatchling in a New York City traffic light pipe. Rescued by Holly, the bird is raised in a Manhattan apartment where she learns to navigate a human environment. The narrative spans Stellina's entire life, from her precarious beginnings through her eight years of life with Holly and the author, ending with her natural death. SENSITIVE TOPICS: The book deals directly with the death of a pet. The approach is realistic and secular, focusing on the natural conclusion of a life cycle. The resolution is hopeful in its reflection on the quality of life and the bond shared, rather than being ambiguous or overly tragic. EMOTIONAL ARC: The story begins with a sense of urgency and rescue, transitions into a long, gentle period of domestic harmony and curiosity, and concludes with a quiet, reflective sadness that emphasizes legacy and memory. IDEAL READER: An observant 6-year-old living in a city who often notices pigeons or sparrows and wonders about their lives, or a child who has recently experienced the loss of a small pet like a bird or hamster. PARENT TRIGGER: The mention of the bird's death in 2003 after eight years. A parent might choose this if their child has asked, "How long do birds live?" or if a neighborhood animal has died. PARENT PREP: Parents should be prepared for the ending; the book does not shield the reader from the fact that Stellina dies. It is best read together to allow for questions about the passage of time. AGE EXPERIENCE: Younger children (4-5) will focus on the novelty of a bird living in a house and eating at a table. Older children (7-8) will better grasp the bittersweet nature of a wild animal living in captivity and the profound impact of long-term care. DIFFERENTIATOR: Unlike many pet stories, this is a memoir with a distinct urban setting, using sophisticated illustrations that capture the scale of a tiny bird in a massive city.