The Poetry of Car Mechanics - by Heidi E Y Stemple Hardcover

About the Book

"Dylan seeks solace through birdwatching and poetry in the woods behind his grandfather's auto shop--but when he rescues an injured hawk, he must learn to confront the broken parts in himself, too"--

Book Synopsis

A School Library Journal Best Book
NCTE Notable Children's Verse Novel
2026 YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers Nominee

"This beautifully crafted novel sings and soars."
--Nikki Grimes, author of Ordinary Hazards

Dylan seeks solace through birdwatching and poetry in the woods behind his grandfather's auto shop--but when he rescues an injured hawk, he must learn to confront the broken parts in himself in this powerful middle-grade novel-in-verse.

15-year-old Dylan has always felt like an outsider in his small town. Isolated when he was younger as the result of his unpredictable, now absent mother and feeling like a disappointment to his grandfather who has stepped in to raise him, Dylan finds relief in the woods behind his grandfather's auto shop. Amidst the cool quiet of the trees, Dylan thrives on bird watching and writing poetry. But one afternoon after spotting an injured hawk, Dylan finds himself pushing out of his comfort zone to track down help for the bird--and ends up rescuing a part of himself in the process.

In this luminous middle-grade novel-in-verse on navigating the lonely tumult of self-discovery amid complicated family history, Dylan relays his story with bracing emotional clarity.

Review Quotes

★ "Dylan's poignant, crystal-clear verse narration contains layers of grief...despite this, Dylan has a steady, quiet sense of self... the cadence and brevity of stanzas and lines shift with Dylan's emotions, and casual observations organically lead to profound insights without Dylan seeming overly wise for his years. This is one for the quiet kids, who know who they are and where they want to fly but who haven't yet found the right flock." --The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review

★ "Stemple's artful writing will have readers flying through the pages, though the emotional depth deserves a moment to pause and savor each word... Hand to fans of tender explorations of young masculinity." --School Library Journal, starred review

"In her layered novel in verse, Stemple creates a world where mechanical expertise and poetic sensitivity intertwine, grounded by characters who reveal unexpected depths. A well-crafted exploration of healing that will remind readers that everyone's story has wings waiting to unfold."--Kirkus Reviews

"Stemple addresses mental health with a sharp focus on Dylan's emotional health as a result of his mother's struggle. Birds, poetry, and cars are the lens through which Dylan views the world; these themes are explored via the verse format, inviting readers deeper into Dylan's mind to see how he remains self-assured in his identity." --Booklist

"Like most of us, the characters in this novel--whether human or avian--are broken, each in their own way. Here, you will find broken wings, broken hearts, broken spirits, and broken psyches. Yet this is not a tale of wreckage. Rather, this novel-in-verse seems a literal meditation on kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery using gold resin. Stemple is the artist here, and the gold
she uses to bring these shattered pieces together are the hidden truths Dylan, our young hero, discovers along his journey. Each new truth reveals strength and beauty amidst what's broken, including within Dylan, himself. His heart aches at the realization that not everything--or everyone--can be fixed. And yet, there's no denying the beauty, even then. That knowledge, alone, is a balm for the soul.

This beautifully crafted novel sings, and soars. Dylan, the character Stemple has meticulously molded, is his own kind of bird. Your heart will lift as you see him learn to glide on the winds of his own story." --Nikki Grimes, author of the Michael L. Printz Honor-winner Ordinary Hazards: A Memoir

"A compelling, fulfilling, evocative, brave, layered story for readers of all ages . . . told in verse! Hats off to Heidi Stemple!" --Lauren Wolk, author of the Newbery Honor-winner Wolf Hollow

"Heidi Stemple's lyrical poetry gives the heavy challenges Dylan faces a lightness that is both accessible and incredibly moving." --Grace Lin, author of the Newbery Honor-winner Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

About the Author

Heidi E.Y. Stemple didn't want to be a writer when she grew up. In fact, after she graduated from college, she became a probation officer in Florida. It wasn't until she was twenty-eight years old that she joined the family business of writing. Since then, she has authored almost fifty books and numerous stories and poems, mostly for children, including several that she co-wrote with her mother, Jane Yolen. The Poetry of Car Mechanics is her first novel in verse. She lives in Hatfield, Massachusetts. Visit heidieystemple.com.