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“A teenager’s mission to help distressed magical creatures takes her into dangerous places and deadly situations in this folk tale–infused sequel to Once There Was (2023)…Marjan Dastani, now 16, learns that a legendary bird that brings stories to the world is about to be reborn. As a hatchling, it will be vulnerable to foes—notably the Fells, a ruthless organization of magical animal traffickers that is, to Marjan’s deep disgust, her main employer. Interspersing his chapters with fragmentary folk tales featuring orphans, quests, monsters, the titular bird, and hints of profound truths…Breathless adventures in richly imagined settings—an entrancing sequel.”

– Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

Bird of a Thousand Stories (Once There Was #2)

Written by Kiyash Monsef
Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

In this transporting and suspenseful companion to Once There Was, Marjan travels around the globe in search of a mythical bird in terrible danger, whose fate could determine the future of the world.

Marjan Dastani is successfully leading a double life. Only a few people know that when she’s not in school, she travels the world taking care of mythical beasts, sent on missions by a shadowy organization known as The Fells.

In an adventure that takes her across continents and connects her with the wildest of mythic beasts around the globe, Marjan must track down the fabled Bird of a Thousand Stories before someone with more nefarious plans finds it. But the more closely she connects with the world’s mythical creatures, the more danger she’s in of losing her friendships—and all that tethers her to the life she’s known.

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Primary ISBN: 9781665928533
Publication Date: February 2025
Available As: Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook, eBook
Middle Grade, Age 10 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Setting: United States (Berkeley CA), Türkiye (Istanbul), Brazil (Rio de Janeiro), Finland

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: 1st Generation

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience

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Source: Simon & Schuster