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Reviewed by Afifa Raisa for Readers' Favorite
Bandy by Craig R Hipkins follows the story of Isaac, a lonely young boy who finds solace in the company of his only friend, a passenger pigeon named Bandy. One fateful day, his family dies in a fire accident, leaving him behind with his younger brother. The two boys are taken in by Uncle Raymond, the only relative they have known. Raymond, an abolitionist, sends Isaac to Virginia to fetch a young slave named Joy, whose freedom he has purchased from Wil Jericho, her heartless owner. Soon after reaching Jericho’s residence, Isaac learns about his nefarious plot involving the murder of his uncle. With no other option left before him, he flees with Joy, promising to lead her to freedom and the sanctuary of Bandy’s pond. Jericho and his men are hot on their heels, and the duo must valiantly fight through to escape their evil clutches.
Craig R Hipkins’ Bandy is a breathtaking work that kept me glued from the beginning till the end. The narration is wonderful, and the characters are particularly well-constructed. I was too quick to judge Raymond, but Craig soon made me change my attitude toward him. Old Moses is yet another marvelous character who leaves a lasting impact despite being there for a rather brief time. Joy and Isaac, though young, put up a brilliant fight, and their bravery, resilience, and determination are indeed inspirational. I especially love how Craig shows the power of kindness through the interactions between these two and one of the hunters in the woods. In this, there is a lesson for everyone. I would recommend this book to readers aged twelve and above.
