this is the fourth book in the hall family chronicles, by jane langton.

the first two, the diamond in the window, and the swing in the summerhouse, are also excellent. i haven’t read the other three books in the series, but i assume they are also very good.

in the fledgling, young georgie believes she can fly, to the disbelief of everyone else around her, and embarks on a journey that is poignant, often funny, and very magical.

i believe this particular book to be self-contained, and so it needn’t be read in sequence.