The Poetry of Car Mechanics

★ “Dylan’s poignant, crystal-clear verse narration contains layers of grief…despite this, Dylan has a steady, quiet sense of self… the cadence and brevity of stanzas and lines shift with Dylan’s emotions, and casual observations organically lead to profound insights without Dylan seeming overly wise for his years. This is one for the quiet kids, who know who they are and where they want to fly but who haven’t yet found the right flock.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, starred review

★ “Stemple’s artful writing will have readers flying through the pages, though the emotional depth deserves a moment to pause and savor each word… Hand to fans of tender explorations of young masculinity.” —School Library Journal, starred review

“In her layered novel in verse, Stemple creates a world where mechanical expertise and poetic sensitivity intertwine, grounded by characters who reveal unexpected depths. A well-crafted exploration of healing that will remind readers that everyone’s story has wings waiting to unfold.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Stemple addresses mental health with a sharp focus on Dylan’s emotional health as a result of his mother’s struggle. Birds, poetry, and cars are the lens through which Dylan views the world; these themes are explored via the verse format, inviting readers deeper into Dylan’s mind to see how he remains self-assured in his identity.” —Booklist

“Like most of us, the characters in this novel—whether human or avian—are broken, each in their own way. Here, you will find broken wings, broken hearts, broken spirits, and broken psyches. Yet this is not a tale of wreckage. Rather, this novel-in-verse seems a literal meditation on kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery using gold resin. Stemple is the artist here, and the gold
she uses to bring these shattered pieces together are the hidden truths Dylan, our young hero, discovers along his journey. Each new truth reveals strength and beauty amidst what’s broken, including within Dylan, himself. His heart aches at the realization that not everything—or everyone—can be fixed. And yet, there’s no denying the beauty, even then. That knowledge, alone, is a balm for the soul.

This beautifully crafted novel sings, and soars. Dylan, the character Stemple has meticulously molded, is his own kind of bird. Your heart will lift as you see him learn to glide on the winds of his own story.” —Nikki Grimes, author of the Michael L. Printz Honor-winner Ordinary Hazards: A Memoir

“A compelling, fulfilling, evocative, brave, layered story for readers of all ages . . . told in verse! Hats off to Heidi Stemple!”—Lauren Wolk, author of the Newbery Honor-winner Wolf Hollow

“Heidi Stemple’s lyrical poetry gives the heavy challenges Dylan faces a lightness that is both accessible and incredibly moving.”—Grace Lin, author of the Newbery Honor-winner Where the Mountain Meets the Moon