Pamela McDowell

Author McDowell has done a fine job of telling an interesting and immediate story to children who are becoming interested in environmentalism and who can connect to the events in this story. CM Magazine, April 18, 2014

This story fits well within the Orca Echoes theme of social responsibility, and teaches readers about osprey and what can happen when wild animals and human infrastructure intersect. There is also information about the true story that informed the book, and further information about ospreys. Interesting and engaging, with a happy ending. Resource Links Magazine, April 2014

Would make a great tie-in to a class science study of environmentalism or wildlife habitats. For those practising reading skills it might be used as a read aloud to focus on inferring, predicting, problem solving and learning styles.  Canadian Teacher Magazine August, 2014

Children who are becoming interested in environmental and conservation issues will be drawn into Cricket’s conflict between wildlife and humans. Southwestern Ohio Young Adult Materials Review Group, August 11, 2014

An exciting tale for young animal lovers. School Librarian’s Workshop December 2014

I like the story because I didn’t know about ospreys before and that they are so big and eat lots. My favourite character was Cricket because she was willing to help the ospreys. Jarah, Grade 3

I like how it’s an informative story, yet it also includes humor to make it more interesting. It’s a bit of a mysterious story, too, because no one quite knows why the telephone pole on which the ospreys were nesting caught on fire. The main characters, Cricket and Shilo, really make the story interesting because they are so different personality-wise. Ava, Grade 3