Ruth McNally Barshaw, lifelong writer and artist, has worked in the advertising field, illustrated for newspapers and won numerous essay-writing contests. She lives in Lansing, Michigan, with her family. Visit her at www.ruthexpress.com

When her teacher assigns a report on animals, Ellie is stumped about what kind she wants to research. Then a neighbor goes on vacation and asks Ellie to pet-sit for her parrot, Alix. Perfect--exotic bird it will be! Unfortunately, Alix flies the coop - literally. But when Ellie can't lure him back on her own, it will take clever teamwork from a librarian, a zookeeper, some good friends and Ellie's own pet-obsessed family to save the day.