birds of america

Fourteen-year-old Doug Swieteck faces many challenges, including an abusive father, a brother traumatized by Vietnam, suspicious teachers and police officers, and isolation, but when he meets a girl known as Lil Spicer, he develops a close relationship with her and finds a safe place at the local library.

"At the start of the 19th century, John James Audubon embarked upon an ... ornithological quest across America with nothing but his artist's materials, an assistant and a gun. Driving him on through terrible storms, encounters with ferocious bears and dangerous people, Audubon's all-consuming passion for birds came to define his entire life--but what would the world make of his expressive and distinctly unscientific illustrations upon his return?"--Back cover.

Examines the life of John James Audubon, and tells the story of his long struggle against the scientific establishment to gain recognition for his lifelike paintings of birds.

Fourteen-year-old Doug Swieteck faces many challenges, including an abusive father, a brother traumatized by Vietnam, suspicious teachers and police officers, and isolation, but when he meets a girl known as Lil Spicer, he develops a close relationship with her and finds a safe place at the local library.