Darlene Hoggard Davis
Of Feathers and Friends
language
(Launch! Oct. 13, 2013)
“Nobody loves me. Everybody hates me. I'm gonna go eat worms.”
While Tyler knew he wouldn't really eat worms, he did not feel loved. His parents sent him to live with his grandmother when they separated. Was he angry? You bet. Was he confused? Absolutely. Where did he fit in? He didn't know any more.
After an argument with his grandmother, Tyler decided to run away. “I'll show them I can take care of myself.” Tyler Andrews doesn't need anyone!
Tyler grabbed his piggy bank and his Dad's Navy ring and ran out the back door. He ran until he couldn't run any further. Too stubborn to turn back, he walked further and further into the woods behind grandma's house, scolding himself because he hadn't thought this plan all the way through. And it would be dark soon. Tyler looked up and saw a flash of red. What was it? What luck! It was a flag waving from a window of a tree house. A tree house!
Climbing up the ladder nailed into the tree, Tyler's resolve to take care of himself returned. Nothing would change his mind now. Really? What would happen when Cody and Jenna find him? What would happen when he meets Melody? Will these neighbor kids turn him in? What will he do with the wounded sparrow he finds beneath the tree house?
Follow Tyler on his adventure to find his place in this world. Laugh or cry with him, whatever you need to do. You might just find you've grown up a little, too.
Darlene Hoggard Davis is a retired elementary vocal music teacher who has been a substitute teacher, a volunteer teacher and a children's music leader at her church. She still teaches piano. Darlene has worked with kids for more than 40 years, including raising her own two sons. Along the way, she started writing for children, and occasionally taught writing sessions with the students. Darlene and her husband, Charles, live in Deckerville, a small village in the "thumb" of Michigan.
My students were fascinated with Mrs. Davis' book. They identified with Tyler's feelings and felt an emotional connection throughout the story. They begged to hear more. This is a book that tugs on your heart."
– Kathy Sweet, Deckerville (MI) elementary school teacher.
While Tyler knew he wouldn't really eat worms, he did not feel loved. His parents sent him to live with his grandmother when they separated. Was he angry? You bet. Was he confused? Absolutely. Where did he fit in? He didn't know any more.
After an argument with his grandmother, Tyler decided to run away. “I'll show them I can take care of myself.” Tyler Andrews doesn't need anyone!
Tyler grabbed his piggy bank and his Dad's Navy ring and ran out the back door. He ran until he couldn't run any further. Too stubborn to turn back, he walked further and further into the woods behind grandma's house, scolding himself because he hadn't thought this plan all the way through. And it would be dark soon. Tyler looked up and saw a flash of red. What was it? What luck! It was a flag waving from a window of a tree house. A tree house!
Climbing up the ladder nailed into the tree, Tyler's resolve to take care of himself returned. Nothing would change his mind now. Really? What would happen when Cody and Jenna find him? What would happen when he meets Melody? Will these neighbor kids turn him in? What will he do with the wounded sparrow he finds beneath the tree house?
Follow Tyler on his adventure to find his place in this world. Laugh or cry with him, whatever you need to do. You might just find you've grown up a little, too.
About the Author
Darlene Hoggard Davis is a retired elementary vocal music teacher who has been a substitute teacher, a volunteer teacher and a children's music leader at her church. She still teaches piano. Darlene has worked with kids for more than 40 years, including raising her own two sons. Along the way, she started writing for children, and occasionally taught writing sessions with the students. Darlene and her husband, Charles, live in Deckerville, a small village in the "thumb" of Michigan.
Endorsement
My students were fascinated with Mrs. Davis' book. They identified with Tyler's feelings and felt an emotional connection throughout the story. They begged to hear more. This is a book that tugs on your heart."
– Kathy Sweet, Deckerville (MI) elementary school teacher.
- Pages
- 132