Roll

May 22, 2017
In a quiet first novel about friendship and change, set in Minnesota, 11-year-old Lauren “Ren” Hall adjusts to life on the outskirts of town in his grandmother’s former house, reluctantly tries to follow in his father’s footsteps as a runner, and meets a girl named Sutton who recently moved to the area from Washington, D.C. Ren is initially skeptical about Sutton’s plans to train her father’s Birmingham Roller pigeons, famed for their ability to execute aerial somersaults, but as they work together Miller explores familiar themes of shifting friendships and alliances, particularly as Ren’s longtime best friend Aiden begins to hang out with the popular athletic crowd. Ren’s acerbic sense of humor and conversational way of recounting the story to readers makes for a distinctive and memorable narrative, humorously illustrating the social dynamics he’s trying to get a handle on, including understanding Sutton’s feelings as she takes on her father’s passion after an accident left him in a wheelchair. Readers will cheer on awkward, quirky Ren as he, like the pigeons, learns to roll with it. Ages 8–12. Agent: Carrie Hannigan, Hannigan Salky Getzler.

March 15, 2017
Rising sixth-graders Ren and Sutton bond through training Birmingham Roller pigeons.When Ren's family moves outside of town, Ren decides he will train for cross country--but he hates the running so much that he's quickly distracted by the discovery of a new neighbor, a girl with a surprising passion: training her father's pigeons. Sutton's father has been hospitalized after a serious automobile accident. Ren's best (and only) friend is developing other interests. Over the course of this story of friendship and self-discovery, geeky Ren comes to realize that he's not likely to become an athlete like his father or his friend Aiden but that Sutton likes him for himself. They share interests, not only in Sutton's birds, but also in ancient comic books and silly YouTube videos. There's some suspense as they work toward a regional competition, and there are bumps in the road, both in the developing friendship and the training of Sutton's kit of pigeons. All these Minnesota preteens are probably white, though Sutton's dyed hair is an improbable red. It's refreshing to have a sensitive male protagonist in a story about relationships. Information about raising and flying roller pigeons sprinkled throughout will likely introduce readers to a hobby they haven't encountered before. A fresh take on a familiar challenge: a friend who develops a teen body and interests more quickly.

COPYRIGHT(2017) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

June 1, 2017

Gr 4-6-Soon-to-be sixth grader Lauren Hall has a lot going on. His dad, a former cross-country coach, is very excited that Ren (as he likes to be called) plans on joining the school's cross-country team in the fall, but as Ren begins training, he's not so sure running is his thing. Ever since Ren and his family moved into his grandparents' old house, he's finding it harder and harder to keep in touch with his old neighbor and best friend, Aiden. And this summer, Aiden is starting to hang out with the cool kids. One morning while he's out running, Ren sees a flock of birds acting in the strangest manner and meets a girl who just moved nearby. Her name is Sutton, and she is training a kit of Birmingham Roller Pigeons. As the summer progresses, Ren sorts through his familial and friendship issues, coming out a bit wiser in the end. VERDICT This character-driven, light coming-of-age story will appeal to fans of realistic fiction. Kids with an interest in animals will find the pigeons fascinating.-Matthew Forster, Big Words, Clarkston, MI

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2017
Grades 3-6 Ren Hall is doing his best to make his star-athlete dad proud by going out for the middle-school cross-country team, never mind that he hates running. Old-school comic books and academics are more his thing. Even so, as sixth grade approaches, Ren spends the summer mornings jogging through his neighborhood. One day, he's distracted by what looks like a flock of birds falling out of the sky. Making his way toward them, he arrives at his new neighbors' house, where a girl with flame-red hair meticulously monitors the tumbling birds. Meet Sutton Davies, competitive Birmingham Roller Pigeon flier. Ren finds both the girl and the birds fascinating, and before long he's helping Sutton train her pigeons for an upcoming competition, instead of running. As this new friendship blossoms, Ren also grapples with the growing pains of watching his best friend join the popular crowd. Miller's debut soars and dives among the complex emotions that accompany growing up and genuine friendship. Despite a few missteps, Ren matures and hits his stride by summer's end.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)