Harris Henderson is a man with a mission. Almost single-handedly, he's built a sanctuary for injured birds of prey in the wilds of the South Carolina coast. But the birds aren't the only wounded creatures in this book. Harris is so involved with the birds, he has lost much of his ability to connect with humans. And Ella Majors, a nurse Harris has employed to care for his daughter, who has juvenile diabetes, is consumed with overwhelming guilt. There's a strong sense of place in this lyrical tale of two damaged souls who find healing with each other, and although it's not often that education and entertainment are so closely intertwined, this tale is one of those rare exceptions, filled as it is with myriad facts about eagles, owls, ospreys, and many other birds of prey. Another unique feature of this remarkable work is Elijah, a character who hails from the African American Gullah tradition.