“Out of nowhere, an arrow streaked through the air and pierced Hawk’s upper thigh and tail.” Stunning acrylic paintings and a dramatic text describe a red-tailed hawk’s injury by poacher arrow and his life over the next eight weeks, as he flies, preens, and hunts with the arrow still intact. Eventually captured and rehabilitated at a raptor center, the healthy bird is released successfully back into the wild. A concluding note details the true events that inspired this picture book and shows a photograph of the actual bird before capture, perched with the arrow visibly piercing his body. (Ages 5–9)

Familiar hands tossed him gently into the winter air. Hawk flapped his wings and skimmed the earth. Then he beat his wings harder, rose, and flew over the trees. And straight as an arrow, Hawk soared into the wild.

The story of an injured red-tailed hawk's survival and freedom

A hungry red-tailed hawk sits near a fence post and devours his catch. Out of nowhere a poacher's arrow pierces his body, seriously injuring him and leaving him to fend for himself.

This is the courageous true story of Arrowhawk-an endangered bird of prey who, with sheer determination and will, survives eight weeks in the wild with a poacher's arrow through his thigh and tail. Stunning illustrations capture his remarkable journey from peril and rescue to eventual freedom.

Arrowhawk is a 2005 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.