Shelly's Book Blog

Gay-Neck: the Story of a Pigeon, by Dhan Gopal Mukerji, won the Newbery Medal in 1928. The story is set in India, and is told by a young boy who keeps carrier pigeons as pets. Gay-Neck is so named because of the bird's beautifully colored feathers. I found the author's style dated but also eloquent, even poetic at times. I'm afraid, though, that many kids will find this style strange and difficult to understand, so this book may not be a good choice for many kids. Those who are strong, patient readers, however, will be rewarded with a suspenseful adventure tale about survival, both in nature and in war.