Where do I start with this book? It is beautifully written. I loved the poetic language. Anna is orphaned in Krakow during WWII. Her father leaves her with a local pharmacist, who chooses not to take care of her. Instead, she follows a thin, mysterious figure who she calls "the Swallow Man." He has the ability to talk to birds, and while friendly enough to Anna, also has an aura of danger around him. They do make a friend, Reb Hirschel, but mostly they spend their time wandering around Poland, avoiding the war as best they can. But they can't avoid it forever...

I would hesitate to call this a middle-grade novel. At times Anna is wise beyond her years, and situations at the end make me hesitate to recommend it to many younger than 8th grade or so.

The publisher generously sent me a copy for review.