Brenda Woods

BRENDA WOODS, AN AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, ALSO WRITES SHORT STORIES, ADULT FICTION AND POETRY

Coming October 13, 2026

From Penguin Random House

Nancy Paulsen Books

Leaving Birdsong

Kirkus *Starred Review

“…beautifully written…A quiet, powerful, textured novel that offers a window into the Great Migration.”

School Library Journal *Starred Review

“Through Abigail’s observations, this novel functions as a history book in narrative form and explores the complexities of the time with warmth and authenticity.”

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On her tenth birthday, Leah Hopper receives an unexpected gift from her Aunt Olivia which includes train tickets to Los Angeles.
A Coretta Scott King Honor Book, PEN Center USA Finalist, Winner of the Focal Award and Judy Lopez Memorial Award. — On her tenth birthday, Leah Hopper receives an unexpected gift from her Aunt Olivia which includes train tickets to Los Angeles. A Coretta Scott King Honor Book, PEN Center USA Finalist, Winner of the Focal Award and Judy Lopez Memorial Award.

Saint, who plays the clarinet, dreams of going to Juilliard and is devoted to his dog, Shadow. But when Hurricane Katrina hits, he makes a life changing decision.
Now on 8 State Award Lists — Saint, who plays the clarinet, dreams of going to Juilliard and is devoted to his dog, Shadow. But when Hurricane Katrina hits, he makes a life changing decision. Now on 8 State Award Lists

Meriwether Hunter, a Black World War II Veteran, saves Gabriel's life and they become friends in Birdsong, South Carolina.
A CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young Readers, Amazon Teacher's Pick — Meriwether Hunter, a Black World War II Veteran, saves Gabriel's life and they become friends in Birdsong, South Carolina. A CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young Readers, Amazon Teacher's Pick

Eden plays piano and also writes music. It's the summer of 1965 when her cousin, Winter Robeson, comes to Los Angeles to visit. While he's there she finds out why he really came and the Watts Riots cause the city to erupt.
A Junior Library Guild Go — Eden plays piano and also writes music. It's the summer of 1965 when her cousin, Winter Robeson, comes to Los Angeles to visit. While he's there she finds out why he really came and the Watts Riots cause the city to erupt. A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

Coop, who's adopted, loves playing basketball and sometimes wonders why his birth mother abandoned him at a hospital right after he was born. But when he rescues a bird that only has one wing, he starts to see some things differently.
School Library — Coop, who's adopted, loves playing basketball and sometimes wonders why his birth mother abandoned him at a hospital right after he was born. But when he rescues a bird that only has one wing, he starts to see some things differently. School Library Journal Starred Review

Violet Diamond, a bi-racial girl, whose African American father died before she was born, sets out to meet his family for the first time.
A KIRKUS Reviews Best Book — Violet Diamond, a bi-racial girl, whose African American father died before she was born, sets out to meet his family for the first time. A KIRKUS Reviews Best Book

Zoe G. Reindeer, who thinks of herself as a 'shy, perfectly plain girl-person', can be adventurous in her imaginary world. Her only friend, Quincy, is moving away and she's afraid of being lonely. But when she meets an Astronomer from JPL, Zoe begins to see that being different can be a good thing.

Sally, who's about to be sold, narrowly escapes slavery with her family and finds a home with a Native American tribe in the 1800's.
Booklist Starred Review, Florida's Sunshine State Young Readers List. — Sally, who's about to be sold, narrowly escapes slavery with her family and finds a home with a Native American tribe in the 1800's. Booklist Starred Review, Florida's Sunshine State Young Readers List.

Emako Blue is a budding star with a voice that's smoky and sweet, like vanilla incense. Her future looks bright and record producers are hovering. But... tragedy is on the way.
Winner of the Detroit Public Library Author Day Award 2007 and Internati — Emako Blue is a budding star with a voice that's smoky and sweet, like vanilla incense. Her future looks bright and record producers are hovering. But... tragedy is on the way. Winner of the Detroit Public Library Author Day Award 2007 and International Reading Association's Children's Book Award, ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers, NYC Public Library Book for the Teen Age

Coming October 13, 2026, from Penguin Random House/Nancy Paulsen Books.
It's 1946 and Abigail Hunter, the inquisitive bookworm from The Unsung Hero of Birdsong, USA, is moving with her family to Detroit, Michigan...the Motor City

Kirkus Starred Revi — Coming October 13, 2026, from Penguin Random House/Nancy Paulsen Books. It's 1946 and Abigail Hunter, the inquisitive bookworm from The Unsung Hero of Birdsong, USA, is moving with her family to Detroit, Michigan...the Motor City Kirkus Starred Review School Library Journal Starred Review