Bird in a Box

Andrea Davis Pinkney’s poignant novel “Bird in a Box” is set in 1936, during the height of the Great Depression. Otis, Willie, and Hibernia the three kids narrators have all lost loved ones and are striving to fulfill their aspirations. Their lives eventually come together to create love, family, and friendship.

As he battles to become the heavyweight boxing champion their struggles and victories are reminiscent of those of their hero renowned boxer Joe Louis. The book deftly incorporates radio commentary from Joe Louis’s fights along with factual information about him.