Bird migrations have fascinated people each year. But migrating birds may encounter many obstacles when travelling across continents. Sometimes, the birds are decimated by storms. At other times the habitats on which they depend have been altered by natural or manmade disasters.
Recently, pollution has become a serious problem for these birds. Birds can get caught in abandoned nylon fishing line or empty, plastic pop-bottle holders. Since plastic products will not disintegrate for decades, these manufactured creations can cause havoc for wildlife. In this elegantly drawn picture book, Jean Craighead George has shown how the migration of Sandhill Cranes can be affected by these issues. The name of this fine book is “Luck.”
Luck is a young sandhill crane. As he walks around the marsh on his long stilt-like legs, he is observed by bird watchers, including an attentive young girl. There are dozens of cranes in the marsh, and excitement fills the air. The cranes are about ready to migrate thousands of miles northward. Luck’s parents call to each other, and to him. But something catches his eye and curiosity. It is some kind of a shiny, plastic thing.
Unable to resist, Luck picks up what turns out to be a six-pack holder. In the process, the plastic holder falls around his neck. Now the crane has a six-holed plastic halter that could catch on almost anything and harm him.
The young girl manages to grab hold of the plastic around Luck’s neck. She quickly breaks the ring and frees the trapped bird. She is wearing a pair of blue sunglasses that enchant Luck. While his parents are memorizing the Texas marsh for the return trip, Luck keeps looking at the child with the blue sunglasses. She has saved his life, and Luck begins thinking of her as home.
Soon Luck’s parents call to him, he stretches his beautiful 6-foot wings and takes off. As he flies north, Luck tries to remember everything on the journey. This way the return trip south will be simpler. As the cranes fly across Kansas, they head for Nebraska and the Platte River. When they get to Kearney, they come down by the thousands.
Where do the cranes go from Kearney? How do they remember a trip that lasts several thousand miles? Do any of them actually fly beyond North America? How long do male and female cranes stay together?
Does Luck ever get back to the Texas marshes? Does he find the lovely young girl with the blue sunglasses?
To find out the answers to these questions, go to the library and check out this well-written and attractively illustrated book, “Luck,” by Jean Craighead George.
Jean Craighead George is a highly celebrated writer in the field of children’s literature. She won the Newbery Medal for the outstanding contribution to children’s literature in 1972 with the publication of “Julie and the Wolves.” Another famous book, “My Side of the Mountain,” was published in 1959.
Deeply interested in the physical world, Mrs. George draws upon a lifetime of knowledge of biology and ecology for her books. This results in stories in which people and animals have complex interactions. Her books have been very popular for more than 50 years.
I hope you go to the library and check out this title, or any of the dozens of fine books written by this prolific, sensitive author. I liked “Luck,” and think you will as well. Enjoy.
