Flip the Bird

By Kym Brunner | Publisher: HarperCollins

About the book

Mercer Buddie wants two things in this world: a girlfriend and the chance to prove to his master falconer father that he’s not a flake. With hunting season fast approaching, fourteen-year-old Mercer has only a short time to work with Flip, a red-tailed hawk he irreverently named to show his dad that falconers don’t have to be so serious all the time.

When Mercer meets Lucy, he falls hard for her gorgeous looks and bubbly personality. He thinks his love life is about to take flight, until he discovers that Lucy and her family belong to a fanatical animal-rights organization called HALT—a group that believes imposing any sort of restrictions on animals is a form of cruelty. Mercer soon realizes that if he wants to keep seeing Lucy, he’ll need to keep his love of falconry and his family’s raptor rehabilitation center a secret from her, and Lucy’s involvement with HALT from his family.

With humor and honesty, Mercer’s story shows how growing up means making difficult choices…and sometimes, being rewarded in unexpected ways.


He’s a hunter from a family of falconers. She thinks keeping animals is a form of cruelty. What could possibly go wrong?


  • Star-Crossed Lovers: He hunts with hawks, she protests for animal rights. To win Lucy’s heart, Mercer has to hide everything about his life, from his master falconer father to his family’s raptor rehab center.
  • Funny YA Romance: Full of hilarious dialogue and awkward teenage moments, this young adult novel captures the humor and heart of a boy trying to navigate his first real crush.
  • Falconry and Feathered Friends: Meet Flip, a rebellious red-tailed hawk who might be Mercer’s only chance to prove he’s not a total flake—if he can train him in time for hunting season.
  • Family Expectations: Beyond the secrets he keeps from Lucy, Mercer must also navigate a challenging father-son relationship and the pressure to live up to his family’s legacy.

Editions of Flip the Bird

Paperback
ISBN 9781328901040
EBook
ISBN 9780544868168

Read an Excerpt

Mercer Buddie wants two things in this world: a girlfriend and the chance to prove to his master falconer father that he’s not a flake. With hunting season fast approaching, fourteen-year-old Mercer has only a short time to work with Flip, a red-tailed hawk he irreverently named to show his dad that falconers don’t have to be so serious all the time.

When Mercer meets Lucy, he falls hard for her gorgeous looks and bubbly personality. He thinks his love life is about to take flight, until he discovers that Lucy and her family belong to a fanatical animal-rights organization called HALT—a group that believes imposing any sort of restrictions on animals is a form of cruelty. Mercer soon realizes that if he wants to keep seeing Lucy, he’ll need to keep his love of falconry and his family’s raptor rehabilitation center a secret from her, and Lucy’s involvement with HALT from his family.

With humor and honesty, Mercer’s story shows how growing up means making difficult choices…and sometimes, being rewarded in unexpected ways.


He’s a hunter from a family of falconers. She thinks keeping animals is a form of cruelty. What could possibly go wrong?


  • Star-Crossed Lovers: He hunts with hawks, she protests for animal rights. To win Lucy’s heart, Mercer has to hide everything about his life, from his master falconer father to his family’s raptor rehab center.
  • Funny YA Romance: Full of hilarious dialogue and awkward teenage moments, this young adult novel captures the humor and heart of a boy trying to navigate his first real crush.
  • Falconry and Feathered Friends: Meet Flip, a rebellious red-tailed hawk who might be Mercer’s only chance to prove he’s not a total flake—if he can train him in time for hunting season.
  • Family Expectations: Beyond the secrets he keeps from Lucy, Mercer must also navigate a challenging father-son relationship and the pressure to live up to his family’s legacy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Flip the Bird about?

Mercer Buddie wants two things in this world: a girlfriend and the chance to prove to his master falconer father that he’s not a flake. With hunting season fast approaching, fourteen-year-old Mercer has only a short time to work with Flip, a red-tailed hawk he irreverently named to show his dad that falconers don’t have to be so serious all the time.

When Mercer meets Lucy, he falls hard for her gorgeous looks and bubbly personality. He thinks his love life is about to take flight, until he discovers that Lucy and her family belong to a fanatical animal-rights organization called HALT—a group that believes imposing any sort of restrictions on animals is a form of cruelty. Mercer soon realizes that if he wants to keep seeing Lucy, he’ll need to keep his love of falconry and his family’s raptor rehabilitation center a secret from her, and Lucy’s involvement with HALT from his family.

With humor and honesty, Mercer’s story shows how growing up means making difficult choices…and sometimes, being rewarded in unexpected ways.


He’s a hunter from a family of falconers. She thinks keeping animals is a form of cruelty. What could possibly go wrong?


  • Star-Crossed Lovers: He hunts with hawks, she protests for animal rights. To win Lucy’s heart, Mercer has to hide everything about his life, from his master falconer father to his family’s raptor rehab center.
  • Funny YA Romance: Full of hilarious dialogue and awkward teenage moments, this young adult novel captures the humor and heart of a boy trying to navigate his first real crush.
  • Falconry and Feathered Friends: Meet Flip, a rebellious red-tailed hawk who might be Mercer’s only chance to prove he’s not a total flake—if he can train him in time for hunting season.
  • Family Expectations: Beyond the secrets he keeps from Lucy, Mercer must also navigate a challenging father-son relationship and the pressure to live up to his family’s legacy.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Flip the Bird?

Children’s, Teenage and Educational > Children’s / Teenage fiction and true stories > Children’s / Teenage fiction: General, modern and contemporary fiction

Where can I read a sample of Flip the Bird?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781328901040

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Flip the Bird?

Kym Brunner

Who is the Publisher of the book Flip the Bird?

HarperCollins

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Flip the Bird is available as paperback(ISBN 9781328901040) and ebook(ISBN 9780544868168)

Where can I buy Flip the Bird online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy Flip the Bird from below

Where can I buy Flip the Bird?