Mail-Order Wings

by Beatrice Gormley

Book Overview

Nine-year-old Andrea orders wings through the mail with a guarantee to fly. Incredibly, they work, but there is a frightening side effect.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 059515204X
• ISBN13: 9780595152049
• Release Date: December 2000
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Length: 180 Pages
• Weight: 0.66 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.9" x 8.9"
• Age Range: 9 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 7

Customer Reviews

Finally found it again!

I remembered this book from elementary school (1987 or so) and couldn't remember the name. I was so glad to find it again. I love this book. Check out "Girl With the Silver Eyes" for another good read-- I read them both at the same time.

The Best Book I Ever Read

This is my favorite book because I love birds and I wish I could fly. Andrea is a lot like me. I think she is a very intelligent and enthusiastic kid. Just like me. Her brother is the only one who knows her secret. I think you should read it if you like birds or flying or if you like fun.The author, Beatrice Gormley, is a very good author and I love her books. I hope this helps you figure out what book to get when you are at the library.

Kafka-esque

When I first read this book, I was surprised, because it isn't the same sort of fluff that children's, especially girls books usually are. Imagine my surprise when, much later, I read Kafka's Metamorphosis, and found that the comic book that the girl found the advertisment in was the same story! Then, when I began to think about it more, I saw that the whole story is based on Metamorphosis, sort of. Especially towards the end, when the main character begins to find herself becomming more and more bird-like, and is less and less in control. If you have ever read Metamorphosis, read this book to see what I mean. If you have ever read this book, and you are over age 15, try reading Kafka's Metamorphosis and you'll see what I mean. Enjoy.

Very good

I first read this book in 5th grade in 1987 and I loved it so much, it inspired me to make a movie of it! Also it was a bit frightening about what happens when your wish comes true: not always a good thing! Andrea discovers this. It was kinda gross when she starts turning into a bird, and sad when she is betrayed by her so-called "best friend" Lauren! That part angered me. This book sorta reminded me of The Fly or Elephant Man. It is very sad about how some "friends" betray their friends! Although Andrea didn't have an illness like Elephant Man, she is treated like dirt by that traitor Lauren, and Lauren, not to my knowledge, ever did apologize. That made me mad. I guess Lauren never knew about the wings (her brother Jim is the only one who knew), she treats Andi rudely by making fun of her birdnest collection and telling her she looked stupid wearing a heavy sweater (which was the only thing that could hide Andi's wings) on a hot day. Real nice, Lauren! Andi should have ditched this loser! We don't need any more traitors in this world! In the ending, Andi has to decide between her family and life as a human girl, or her new high-flying life as a bird. Sad, but necessary, and a valuable lesson on not taking anything for granted!

A great story yet frightening and exciting

Andrea's bird-watching interests lead her to wish that she could fly. Andrea reads a comic book that she thinks is just horrible about parents rejecting their kid because he changes. It is a tragic story (the comic book) and it sort of leaves a deep impression on her. She doesn't know how anyone can be so horrible. THen she sees the order form for "Mail-Order Wings" and she has to have them! When they arrive she assembles them and has to glue them on. The message is to be careful what you pray for because it just might come true and if it does, that could be the worst thing that's ever happened to you. At first Andrea is on the top of the world as she soars out her bedroom window into the night sky. But then frightening things begin to happen. She begins to isolate herself from family and friends--her friends think she's strange. If you ask me, her "best friend" Lauren was a loser anyway. Andrea never felt so alone. Then she notices she is turning into a bird! What is she to do?