"Rowing nobody to nowhere" is how Birdy's ferryman father describes the unusual task before him when he is hired by three ghosties to row them to an island that doesn't exist. But Birdy, blessed with second sight, sees the ghosties for what they really are: a king, queen and prince, and she is rewarded for her perception. With a haunting, eloquent simplicity, the author creates a strong sense of place, well-developed characters and a marvelously engaging plot. Delicate watercolors illustrate every page of the handsomely designed volume. (Ages 7-9)

Sometimes, Birdy watches her father row people across the dangerous sea, but when the wrinkled old woman asks to be ferried across, Birdy jumps in too. The woman tells Birdy that she has second sight, but Birdy isn't sure she wants this special gift. However, soon she finds that looking twice at things can bring the most unexpected results . . .



With an engaging story told in short chapters, and illustrations in black and white and colour on every double-page spread, this short novel is ideal for newly confident readers.