Soar
The Incredible Journey of Hendrix and Ryder
Benjamin Franklin Silver AwardAbout This Book
It's early fall in North America, and Hendrix's parents are taking off to migrate to South America — without him! Now to survive the winter and see his parents again, he and his twin brother Ryder will have to make the long, treacherous journey on their own. But the young birds are at odds right from the start, with fearless Ryder pushing cautious Hendrix at every turn. Can the brothers find their way to South America — and to respect for one another?
A coming-of-age story to be shared and enjoyed by readers of all ages — Soar will make you look at the birds and the sky with a new appreciation and curiosity for the living creatures and weather that surround us.
Bring the real birds into your lesson: our Osprey Gallery offers free osprey photos for the classroom, generously shared by naturalist photographer John Kenny.
Key Themes
- Resilience and perseverance — Hendrix's journey from caution to courage
- Brotherhood and sibling respect — two very different personalities learning to trust each other
- Independence and self-discovery — growing into the individual gem you are meant to be
- Thoughtful problem solving — Hendrix's ability to improvise solutions in a crisis
- Boldness vs. caution — neither is simply right; the middle way has value
- Respect for elders — Gramps and the wisdom of experience
- Loyalty and kindness as an internal compass — Hendrix's character wins out in the end
- Friendship and romance — Hendrix's world expands in unexpected and joyful ways
- Prejudice and individual character — judging by group reputation vs. knowing someone as an individual
- The sheer joy of the outdoors and the natural world
- Growth mindset and self-discovery
- The wonder and fragility of the natural world — wind, weather, and climate as living forces
- Environmental stewardship — bringing awareness to the real plight of migratory birds and the impact of global warming
SEL Connections (CASEL-Aligned)
Self-awareness
Hendrix's journey to understand his own strengths
Responsible decision-making
Choices under pressure
Relationship skills
The bond between siblings
Social awareness
Prejudice vs. individual character — when the characters discover that Huber is a venomous spider, they must decide whether to judge him by the reputation of all venomous spiders or to trust who he has shown himself to be as an individual. A powerful discussion anchor for conversations about prejudice, assumptions, and judging others fairly.
Science & Curriculum Tie-Ins (NGSS-Aligned)
- Raptor biology: osprey anatomy, diet, habitat, and life cycle
- Bird migration: routes, triggers, climate change impacts
- How warming ocean temperatures fuel more powerful hurricanes — direct threat to ospreys during migration
- Food webs and coastal ecosystems
- Geography: Mapping the osprey migration route from Long Island Sound to Iguazu Falls, Argentina — over 4,000 miles
- STEM extension: How to Build an Osprey Nest (printable guide provided)
- STEM extension: How to Build an Osprey Wingspan Model (printable guide provided)
Praise for Soar
"Hendrix and Ryder's migration story kept our students on the edge of their seats! The brothers' changing relationship added a layer of real-world drama that truly connected with our kids, making every step of their journey feel personal. Soar is a must-read for any elementary classroom. It is a powerful, high-stakes story about family and perseverance that will keep your students hooked until the very last page!"
Christine Roberts
Lower School Librarian, The Bryn Mawr School
"Our Elementary Book Club recently read Soar by Letitia Burton, and our students absolutely loved it! The students quickly connected with the main characters, Hendrix and Ryder, and especially enjoyed the humor of Huber throughout the story. The book kept our readers engaged from beginning to end and sparked wonderful discussions during book club meetings. We were also incredibly thankful that Letitia Burton took the time to set up a Zoom session with our students after they completed the book. The opportunity to meet the author and ask questions made the experience even more meaningful and exciting for everyone involved."
Gina Evans
Elementary Book Club Coordinator, Eastern Hills Christian Academy
Absolutely read or gift this book to your children. Or, as I did as an adult, read it in a single day of exhilaration at the narrow escapes and of smiles at the tender moments as two brother ospreys plan and fly South. Letitia Burton has brought together the inner thoughts of nature, as did T.H. White (The Once and Future King) and the parenting wisdom, as did Haim Ginott (Between Parent and Child). The danger sequences drive the story but she has interwoven moral issues of courage and prejudice: the relative values of boldness versus caution, the shunning for being different, the disbelief from others when it is critical to be believed, and the classic dilemma of group versus individual. Burton makes the complexities of weather range from beautiful to horrific. The wind becomes an added character that tickles, lifts, but also breaks, the latter a deliberate testament to global warming. She, like the Buddhists teach us, finds the middle way and avoids one-sided perspectives that would be in itself another form of prejudice. She includes Gramps who knows not to dismiss feelings of either of the two boys, not just the timid one. She includes Huber a Brazilian spider seeking to return home on Hendrix's back. Be alert for a powerful surprise about what a little creature can do. Be impressed with Hendrix's ability to jerry rig solutions in a crisis. Be consoled by Ryder who matures in his own way, as does Hendrix in his self-discovery. Celebrate the life of ospreys who know how to party, to play, and to soar over 6,000 miles from Long Island Sound to Iguazu Falls in Argentina. Let's all encourage Letitia B. Burton to write a sequel. We would relish that chance to read about the next cycle in the life of Hendrix and Ryder. Furthermore, her writing will help all readers develop empathy for migratory birds. We always thought of flying as the ultimate freedom. Maybe.
George E. Forman, Ph.D.
Emeritus Professor of Child Development, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
