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Sleeping with the Blackbirds: Urban fantasy about a small boy who's getting bullied at school Kindle Edition

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 112 ratings

Eleven-year-old schoolboy, Roy Nuttersley has been dealt a pretty raw deal. While hideous parents show him little in the way of love and affection, school bullies make his life a misery. So Roy takes comfort in looking after the birds in his suburban garden, and in return the birds hatch a series of ambitious schemes to protect their new friend. As with the best-laid plans, however, these get blown completely off course - and as a result the lives of both Roy and his arch tormentor, Harry Hodges are turned upside down. While Harry has a close encounter with God, Roy embarks on a voyage of discovery that draws in and impacts on everyone around him, including the local police, his headmaster and the national media. Where will it all end, and will life ever be quite the same for Roy Nuttersley? "A delightful fairy story that deals sensitively and compellingly with real, modern-day issues." George Layton, actor, screenwriter and author of bestsellers, 'The Trick', 'The Swap' and 'The Fib' "What an entrancing story. A real flight of fancy which will engage children in the plot and, at the same time, increase their understanding of real human relationships." lovereading.co.uk "Just finished 'Sleeping with the Blackbirds'. Eyes full of tears. Would make a great movie: wonderful images and thought provoking scenes." Bramwell Tovey, broadcaster and GRAMMY award-winning composer, Vancouver, Canada "With the wit of JK Rowling, Alex Pearl has definitely earned his place in the young adult fiction hall of fame. His fantasy broaches the subjects of homelessness, child adoption, bullying, injustice, and the cruelty of abusive parents, all issues with which the youth of today live. There is a moral lesson for each of Pearl’s characters to learn. Through a marvellous turn of events, each character is rewarded with the right ending. Bravo, Alex Pearl!" Readers' Favorite

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A delightful fairy story that deals sensitively and compellingly with real, modern-day issues." George Layton, actor, screenwriter and author of bestsellers, 'The Trick', 'The Swap' and 'The Fib'

"What an entrancing story. A real flight of fancy which will engage children in the plot and, at the same time, increase their understanding of real human relationships."
lovereading.co.uk

"With the wit of JK Rowling, Alex Pearl has definitely earned his place in the young adult fiction hall of fame. His fantasy broaches the subjects of homelessness, child adoption, bullying, injustice, and the cruelty of abusive parents, all issues with which the youth of today live. There is a moral lesson for each of Pearl's characters to learn. Through a marvellous turn of events, each character is rewarded with the right ending. Bravo, Alex Pearl!"
Readers' Favorite

About the Author

Back in the distant mists of time, Alex spent three years at art college in Maidstone; a college that David Hockney once taught at, and later described in a piece for The Sunday Times as the 'most miserable' episode of his life. Here, Alex was responsible for producing - among other things - the college's first theatrical production in which the lead character accidentally caught fire. Following college, he found employment in the advertising industry as a copywriter. He has turned to writing fiction in the twilight years of his writing career.

His novella, 'Sleeping with the Blackbirds' - a black, comic urban fantasy, was initially written for his children in 2011 and published by PenPress. It has since become a Kindle bestseller in the US.

In 2014 his short story, 'Scared to Death' - the fictionalised account of the first British serviceman to be executed for cowardice during the First World War, was published in an anthology ('The Clock Struck War') by Mardibooks along with 22 other short stories to mark the centenary of the Great War.

Alex's psychological thriller, 'The Chair Man' set in London following the terrorist attack in 2005 was published as an e-book by Fizgig Press in 2019 and as a paperback in 2020. It is his first full-length novel.

Alex's claim to fame is that he is quite possibly the only person on this planet to have been inadvertently locked in a record shop on Christmas Eve.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00FK14Y74
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 10, 2011
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 436 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 179 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 112 ratings

About the author

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Alex Pearl
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Alex's first novel 'Sleeping with the Blackbirds', a darkly humorous urban fantasy, written for children and young adults, was initially published by PenPress in 2011. It was longlisted by the Millennium Book Awards 2018 and selected by the Indie Author Project in 2019 for distribution to public libraries across the US and Canada. In 2014, his fictionalised account of the first British serviceman to be executed for cowardice during the First World War was published by Mardibooks in its anthology, 'The Clock Struck War'. In 2019, his psychological thriller, 'The Chair Man', which is set in London in 2005 following the terrorist attack on its public transport system, was published by Fizgig Press in 2020, and was a Finalist in the 2021 Wishing Shelf Book Awards. During the Covid epidemic, Alex conducted 100 author interviews online in an attempt to delve into the backgrounds, motivations and working methods of authors across the globe. These interviews were published in 2022 under the title '100 Ways to Write a Book', and all author proceeds are being donated to PEN International. His most recent novel, 'A Brand to Die For' is a comic murder mystery set in the London advertising world of 1983. It is, in fact, the first murder mystery set in a London advertising agency since Dorothy L. Sayers penned 'Murder Must Advertise' back in 1933. His sequel, 'One Man Down', has been taken up by Roundfire Books.

Alex lives in NW London with his wife and two children who are far smarter than their old man.

He is quite possibly the only human being on this planet to have been inadvertently locked in a record shop on Christmas Eve.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
112 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the story engaging and well-written. They appreciate the engaging characters and personification of birds. The writing style is described as charming and descriptive, with plenty of imagery that makes you feel like you're there in the story. The book touches on topics such as bullying, intellectual disabilities, family and domestic violence, making it a profound and allegory for children and adults alike.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

12 customers mention "Story quality"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the story engaging and well-written. They describe it as an interesting read with vivid descriptions and a charming narrative style. The plot is intricately crafted and profound.

"...and qualifications that help to create ‘a magical allegory about fears and anxiety, about the place of the sensitive person, the thinker, the human,..." Read more

"...not my cup of tea, it was interesting and most definitely different gave an outlook and/or perspectives on the bully, the victim, Domestic violence..." Read more

"...and settings, SLEEPING WITH THE BLACKBIRDS provides much food for thought for young readers, and many talking points for discussion with both peers..." Read more

"I received a free electronic copy of this wonderful novel for Tweens and YA from TheFussyLibrarian and author Alex Pearl...." Read more

4 customers mention "Character development"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the engaging characters and original plot. They also appreciate the personification of birds in the story.

"...is a wonderfully written and richly descriptive novel with brilliantly drawn characters and settings...." Read more

"...A beautifully-written novel with vividly-described characters and settings, SLEEPING WITH THE BLACKBIRDS provides much food for thought for young..." Read more

"...I also liked the personification of birds in the story, but being an English book, I was unfamiliar with the birds and so I have no idea how..." Read more

"...Engaging characters, an original plot, and a surprise ending. The only downside is being left wanting more at the end. Bravo!" Read more

4 customers mention "Writing quality"4 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book. They find it well-written and descriptive, with an exceptional ability to convey storytelling. Readers enjoy reading the book alone, with children, or with someone they love.

"...His writing is impeccably honed, full of juxtapositions and qualifications that help to create ‘a magical allegory about fears and anxiety, about..." Read more

"...A beautifully-written novel with vividly-described characters and settings, SLEEPING WITH THE BLACKBIRDS provides much food for thought for young..." Read more

"...The writing is superb, there are no hard stops in the story, but a flowing continuation of one thought or action to the next...." Read more

"...Just a delightful little fantasy! Read it alone, to the children, or to someone you love (but keep a box of sniffle wipes handy)!!..." Read more

4 customers mention "Writing style"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the writing style. They find it charming and delightful, with vivid imagery that transports them to the setting.

"...There’s plenty of imagery in the writing style that makes you feel you are right there in the story, and that’s something I look for in a good..." Read more

"...Clean, wholesome, darling! Truly, I enjoyed every word!" Read more

"Sleeping with the Blackbirds is a charming and delightful read on those days when you want to enjoy a quick story with twists that turn into a happy..." Read more

"Quaint, Simple, Story..." Read more

3 customers mention "Focus"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's focus on issues like bullying, intellectual disabilities, family and domestic violence. They find it a profound allegory for children and adults alike.

"...Deeper. More profound. Touching on topics such as bullying, intellectual disabilities, illegitimacy, and parents in the prison system, it couldn't..." Read more

"...What I did like about this story was the concept – exploring both sides of bullying, the victim and the bully, as well as family and domestic..." Read more

"An allegory for children and adults alike..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2021
    SLEEPING WITH THE BLACKBIRDS by Alex Pearl is a wonderfully written and richly descriptive novel with brilliantly drawn characters and settings. The author weaves a well-crafted philosophical narrative that serves as an allegory for the pains of being. It’s a unique work that will captivate the reader from the opening chapter. Skillfully constructed, this well-written mystical tale will have you turning the pages from beginning to end. There’s plenty of imagery in the writing style that makes you feel you are right there in the story, and that’s something I look for in a good book.

    The plot is intricately carved, as the synopsis suggests: ‘Eleven-year-old schoolboy, Roy Nuttersley has been dealt a pretty raw deal. While hideous parents show him precious little in the way of love and affection, school bullies make his life a misery. So Roy takes comfort in looking after the birds in his garden, and in return the birds hatch a series of ambitious schemes to protect their new friend. As with the best-laid plans, however, these get blown completely off course - and as a result the lives of both Roy and his arch tormentor, Harry Hodges are turned upside down - but in a surprisingly good way.’

    This was a captivating read that had me immersed from the beginning. The story flowed from scene to scene with ease, and the author shows exceptional ability when it comes to storytelling. I enjoyed the story, character development, and dialogue. There were plenty of interesting moments that I didn’t see coming and that added to the book’s mystique. When I stopped reading to work, I found myself wondering what happened in the book, and replaying parts of the novel in my head to see if I could figure more out. It has been a while since I enjoyed a book this much.

    There’s no doubt that SLEEPING WITH THE BLACKBIRDS is an exceptionally well written book. The contrast between tone and content is a characteristic talent of only a few authors. Pearl pays as much attention to his sentences as he does to his plots, shifting or consolidating meaning with the use of a single word. His writing is impeccably honed, full of juxtapositions and qualifications that help to create ‘a magical allegory about fears and anxiety, about the place of the sensitive person, the thinker, the human, within modern society’s current social order, in a world in which human beings are the only animals who despair of their lives.’

    It’s one of those books that come along occasionally that makes you want to read it non-stop until you get to the end. I’m giving nothing further away here. And this, I hope, will only add to the mystery and enjoyment for the reader. I’ll be looking forward to reading more from Alex Pearl in the future. I would highly recommend this book and would add that it has a distinctly cinematic feel to it. A well-deserved five stars from me.
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2023
    When Roy’s only happiness, the birds who flocked to all of the bird feeders he had made, left after his screaming parents destroyed them, the boy ends up in his own nest, with the birds caring for him more than any parent could.
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2019
    Good book but not my cup of tea, it was interesting and most definitely different gave an outlook and/or perspectives on the bully, the victim, Domestic violence and the struggle families go through. This book was given to me for and honest review.
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2018
    I devoured this wonderful middle-grade novel in less than 24 hours, and I loved it, though (or perhaps because) it turned out to be far more challenging than I originally thought it would be. Deeper. More profound. Touching on topics such as bullying, intellectual disabilities, illegitimacy, and parents in the prison system, it couldn't be more contemporary, yet it somehow has that old-fashioned feel so beloved by most fantasy readers. The bright colors of protagonist Roy Nuttersley's garden are contrasted with the dreary grey of the educational institution, and the spoiled PR man and ambitious reporters are countered by the prissy headmaster and the "stern spinster" schoolteacher.

    I can't say I'm a big fan of anthropomorphism, but Alex Pearl handles it so deftly and subtly here that I can honestly say I enjoyed it. What might have been incredibly annoying as employed by another author seemed fresh and yes, actually very sweet in this story.

    A beautifully-written novel with vividly-described characters and settings, SLEEPING WITH THE BLACKBIRDS provides much food for thought for young readers, and many talking points for discussion with both peers and elders.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2021
    I received a free electronic copy of this wonderful novel for Tweens and YA from TheFussyLibrarian and author Alex Pearl. Thank you so much for sharing your hard work with me. Sleeping with the Blackbirds addresses problems faced by most youngsters. Bullying, being the bully, achieving academic success without moral support from your family, finding a comfortable place among your peers finding your comfort zone when you are 'different' than your peers in appearance or intellect - presented as a modern fairy tale. I found this an excellent book to share with my young friends and family. I will watch for more from Alex Pearl.
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2019
    From the first paragraph, I knew I would like this book. It takes you on a gentle ride where the wrongs of the world are made right. The writing is superb, there are no hard stops in the story, but a flowing continuation of one thought or action to the next. Clean, wholesome, darling! Truly, I enjoyed every word!
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2022
    Sleeping with the Blackbirds is a charming and delightful read on those days when you want to enjoy a quick story with twists that turn into a happy ending.

    Rating reflects the disappointment of the ending as I felt it was too rushed.
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2019
    Very interesting read, fast pace

Top reviews from other countries

  • Geoff Shwalbe
    5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 22, 2016
    This is a 'pearl' of a book that is a must for the families bookshelf! It's a compelling, lively and magical read for all. It addresses several current issues in an inspiring manner. Beautifully written, addressing human emotions, by an obviously thoughtful and sensitive author. A magical journey with just as magical characters. Next step Mr Pearl is to scriptwrite and have this gem of a book produced as a play!
  • Thespionic
    4.0 out of 5 stars A Pleasant & Entertaining Experience
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 12, 2014
    For a long while I thought this read, whilst pleasant, rather unexceptional. However the last 30 pages bring this short tale to a very satisfactory conclusion. It's a very clever, meaningful and well put together finale.
    The book would be an excellent bedtime story to read to your children as the chapters are only a few pages long, or perhaps for children who have reasonable reading skills to read themselves, as it's only 120 pages and it wouldn't therefore be too daunting or trying a task for them.
    Overall it was a very pleasant & entertaining experience. It doesn't hurt adults to get caught up in a fantasy world now and then!
  • christuart
    5.0 out of 5 stars delightful debut
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 17, 2011
    this is the first time i've come across this author and i was most impressed. the story skips along at a lively pace, the characters are lifelike and believable, and it manages to address important issues such as poor parenting, bullying and homelessness in an accessible, non-intimidating way. it would make excellent bedtime reading and the climax in particular is packed full of images which i can imagine staying in a child's dreamy head for a long time. highly recommended!
  • ajbucket
    4.0 out of 5 stars A beautifully told tale
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 2, 2020
    A charming and endearing 'fairy' story - Roy's life is transformed by the decisions and influence of the blackbirds, birds who seem to know a lot better than the humans. A wonderfully touching window into serious issues of childhood (and adulthood). Recommended!
  • Bradley
    5.0 out of 5 stars Alex has a lovely style and creates a carefully imagined world, which you can't help get sucked into
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 27, 2015
    A wonderful, dreamlike story, that weaves its way around the issues faced by a young lad facing up to his bullies and neglectful parents, with some help from his winged friends. Loved every bit of this book.

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