Laleh and the Language of the Birds
by Perin Gurel
with Marjane Searl
Coming April 14, 2026
Pre-order now!
Winner of the A. Orr Fantasy Award and Wishing Shelf Book Award finalist, Laleh and the Language of the Birds is an eco-fantasy feminist retelling of Sufi legend, in which the studious Iranian-American teen Laleh must join forces with her unpredictable older cousin and two goofy scientist crows to travel through the realm of birds to save Laleh's father from a mythological evil bent on destroying the natural world. It's a race against time full of dangerous tests, moments of rich depth and nerdy joy, and a final twist that will smash you to bits and build you back up from the rubble.
Author and Notre Dame professor Perin Gurel seamlessly blends her love of learning and logic with fun fantasy and gorgeous but approachable prose to tell a story that educates, inspires, and engages readers from an action-packed beginning to its dazzling end.
Soar into a world of science and imagination . . .
Thirteen-year-old Iranian-American Laleh Lateef’s world shatters when her ornithologist father vanishes from the bird sanctuary they called home. She’s forced to live with her grouchy uncle, quiet aunt, and rebellious cousin Ivy, who delights in calling her “Bird Nerd.” Life feels hopeless—until two crow brothers, Gold and Silver, begin delivering strange gifts.
When the gifts fit together into a magical device that lets Laleh talk to birds, she uncovers a breathtaking secret: Her father’s disappearance is part of a larger menace haunting the sanctuary. And her uncle is the likely culprit.
With the sanctuary and its feathered residents in danger, Laleh and Ivy must team up—whether they like it or not—and
follow the clues through an ancient Middle Eastern legend known as The Language of the Birds. Their destination: Avesia, the mythical sky realm of perfect bird habitats.
The catch? No one has ever reached it without wings.
When the gifts fit together into a magical device that lets Laleh talk to birds, she uncovers a breathtaking secret: Her father’s disappearance is part of a larger menace haunting the sanctuary. And her uncle is the likely culprit.
With the sanctuary and its feathered residents in danger, Laleh and Ivy must team up—whether they like it or not—and
follow the clues through an ancient Middle Eastern legend known as The Language of the Birds. Their destination: Avesia, the mythical sky realm of perfect bird habitats.
The catch? No one has ever reached it without wings.
Middle-Grade Fantasy / Science & Nature / Middle-Eastern Mythology
Praise for Laleh
“A well-balanced story that delivers on promises of facts, fantasy, and fun.”
--Kirkus Reviews
“In this feminist retelling of a twelfth-century Persian legend, Gurel offers a fantastical, empowering story of a girl who
hears truth in birdsong—a soaring debut!”
—Amy Makechnie, critically acclaimed middle-grade author
“Gurel’s beautiful ornithological descriptions interwoven with Sufi poet Attar’s work serve as a backdrop for steadfast Laleh and her spirited cousin’s gripping quest to save her father and the birds from her merciless uncle. Laleh and the Language of Birds is a poignant exploration of family, devotion, and the quiet yet enduring courage required to protect those who matter most, all imbued with a sense of wonder that lingers long after the final page.”
—Dr. Haleh Massey, author of Say Something, Poupeh Babaee!
“A stunning flight into myth and imagination, Laleh's skyward quest is as heartfelt as it is thrilling. This enchanting debut novel will sweep readers into a world of magic, led by a delightfully witty pair of talking crows. Bravo!”
—Lisa Schmid, author of Ollie Oxley and the Ghost and Hart & Souls
“At its core, this adventure celebrates bravery, friendship, and the power of combining science and imagination. Fans of fantasy quests, fast-paced adventures, and stories about defeating evil will find this tale absolutely flap-tastic.”
—Sharon Brown, elementary school librarian and member of Operation Literature, whose goal is to elevate children's literature for all children and in all cultures
“This beautifully crafted novel invites readers into a world where every sentence shimmers with precision and lyrical grace. Suspense and enchantment weave through every chapter, pulling the reader into a narrative rich with metaphors and insights. This is a book that is not only profoundly compelling but is an absolute joy to read.”
—Imam Jamal Rahman, author of Spiritual Gems of Islam
“This is a tale of belonging, family, and faith—a story that reminds us of the power of connection in uncertain times. At a moment when hatred and misinformation shape our world, Gurel’s novel offers something urgent and necessary: a celebration of Truth, Love, and the courage to listen to one another.”
—Lana Sirri, author of Islamic Feminism: Discourses on Gender and Sexuality in Contemporary Islam and Shababz! A Graphic Exploration of Islamic Feminism and Decolonial Discourses
--Kirkus Reviews
“In this feminist retelling of a twelfth-century Persian legend, Gurel offers a fantastical, empowering story of a girl who
hears truth in birdsong—a soaring debut!”
—Amy Makechnie, critically acclaimed middle-grade author
“Gurel’s beautiful ornithological descriptions interwoven with Sufi poet Attar’s work serve as a backdrop for steadfast Laleh and her spirited cousin’s gripping quest to save her father and the birds from her merciless uncle. Laleh and the Language of Birds is a poignant exploration of family, devotion, and the quiet yet enduring courage required to protect those who matter most, all imbued with a sense of wonder that lingers long after the final page.”
—Dr. Haleh Massey, author of Say Something, Poupeh Babaee!
“A stunning flight into myth and imagination, Laleh's skyward quest is as heartfelt as it is thrilling. This enchanting debut novel will sweep readers into a world of magic, led by a delightfully witty pair of talking crows. Bravo!”
—Lisa Schmid, author of Ollie Oxley and the Ghost and Hart & Souls
“At its core, this adventure celebrates bravery, friendship, and the power of combining science and imagination. Fans of fantasy quests, fast-paced adventures, and stories about defeating evil will find this tale absolutely flap-tastic.”
—Sharon Brown, elementary school librarian and member of Operation Literature, whose goal is to elevate children's literature for all children and in all cultures
“This beautifully crafted novel invites readers into a world where every sentence shimmers with precision and lyrical grace. Suspense and enchantment weave through every chapter, pulling the reader into a narrative rich with metaphors and insights. This is a book that is not only profoundly compelling but is an absolute joy to read.”
—Imam Jamal Rahman, author of Spiritual Gems of Islam
“This is a tale of belonging, family, and faith—a story that reminds us of the power of connection in uncertain times. At a moment when hatred and misinformation shape our world, Gurel’s novel offers something urgent and necessary: a celebration of Truth, Love, and the courage to listen to one another.”
—Lana Sirri, author of Islamic Feminism: Discourses on Gender and Sexuality in Contemporary Islam and Shababz! A Graphic Exploration of Islamic Feminism and Decolonial Discourses
About the AuthorPERIN GUREL is an Associate Professor of American Studies and Gender Studies at the University of Notre Dame. Born and raised in Istanbul, she is the author of two academic books and many articles on the cultural history of US–Middle East relations. One summer’s day, Perin found a story her then eight-year-old daughter Marjane had begun writing on a piece of scrap paper. She had to know how the story would end, but Marjane refused to write more of it. Willful child! So it came to pass that Professor Gurel veered from the straight and narrow path of archival research and became a wild-eyed Wildling, who now raves about summoned wings, feathered devices, and nature’s magic.
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