ToescapethetoughstreetsofSoutheastWashington,D.C.inthelate1980s,youngRodneyStottswouldridethemetrototheSmithsonianNationalZoo.There,thebaldeaglesandotherbirdsofpreycapturedhisimaginationforthefirsttime.InBirdBrother,RodneyshareshisunlikelyjourneytobecomingaconservationistandoneofAmerica’sfewBlackmasterfalconers.Rodneygrewupduringthecrackepidemic,withguns,drugs,andthethreatofincarcerationanacceptedpartofdailylifefornearlyeveryoneheknew.Torenthisownapartment,heneededapaycheck--somethingthemoneyfromdealingdrugsdidn’tprovide.Forthat,hetookapositionin1992withanewnonprofit,theEarthConservationCorps.Gradually,RodneyfellinlovewiththeworktorestoreandconservethepollutedAnacostiaRiverthatflowsthroughD.C.Asconditionsalongtheriverimproved,hehelpedtoreintroducebaldeaglestotheregionandbefriendedaninjuredEurasianEagleOwlnamedMr.Hoots,thefirstofmanybirdswhoserespecthewouldworkhardtoearn.BirdBrotherisastoryaboutpursuingdreamsagainstallodds,andtheimportanceofsecondchances.Rodney’slifewasnearlyupendedwhenhewasarrestedondrugchargesin2002.Thejailsentencesharpenedhisresolvetogetoutofthehustlinglife.Withthefiercenessoftheraptorshehadadmiredforsolong,hebegantotraintobecomeamasterfalconerandtodevelophisownraptoreducationprogramandsanctuary.Rodney’ssonMike,aD.C.firefighter,hasalsobegunhisjourneytobeingamasterfalconer,withhisownkidscheeringhimalongtheway.Eye-opening,witty,andmoving,BirdBrotherisalovelettertotheraptorsandhumanswhotransformedwhatRodneythoughthislifecouldbe.ItisanunflinchinglookattheuphillbattleBlackchildrenfaceinpursuingstable,fulfillinglives,atestamenttothehealingpowerofnature,andareminderthatnomatterhowmuchheartbreakwe’veendured,westillhavethecapacitytogivebacktoourcommunitiesandfollowourwildestdreams.
