Gay Neck, The Story of a Pigeon & Ghond The Hunter

About this book

Take flight with Gay-Neck, the passenger pigeon with a shimmery throat, his kind young master and Ghond, the wildlife expert, on their adventures in a village, across the Himalayas and to a battlefield in France. In this heartwarming, sometimes heartbreaking tale, soar through Gay-Neck’s encounters with hawks and eagles, his quests with the swifts and a monk, and finally his heroic service as a bearer of messages filled with love and courage during the First World War. A prequel to Gay-Neck’s internationally renowned story, Ghond the Hunter focuses on the first fifteen years in the life of Gay-Neck’s trainer, Ghond. The young boy’s initiation into forest life, his understanding of dangerous animals, his run-ins with eagles, snakes and tigers, and his experiences with his pet panther make f

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Why widely assigned

This Juvenile Fiction title, typically at grades 3–7. Written in the 1920s; cited across 1 curriculum framework.

Where this book is assigned

• Newbery Medal

  • recommended·3rd gradesource: Newbery Medal (American Library Association), via Wikipedia — 1928 Newbery Medal winner
  • recommended·4th gradesource: Newbery Medal (American Library Association), via Wikipedia — 1928 Newbery Medal winner
  • recommended·5th gradesource: Newbery Medal (American Library Association), via Wikipedia — 1928 Newbery Medal winner
  • recommended·6th gradesource: Newbery Medal (American Library Association), via Wikipedia — 1928 Newbery Medal winner
  • recommended·7th gradesource: Newbery Medal (American Library Association), via Wikipedia — 1928 Newbery Medal winner

Common questions

What grade level is Gay Neck, The Story of a Pigeon & Ghond The Hunter?

Gay Neck, The Story of a Pigeon & Ghond The Hunter is most commonly assigned in US schools in grades 3–7. Specific grade placement varies by curriculum — AP Literature and IB English Literature typically use it in grades 11-12.

How long does it take to read Gay Neck, The Story of a Pigeon & Ghond The Hunter?

It takes about 4h 50m to read Gay Neck, The Story of a Pigeon & Ghond The Hunter (264 pages) at an average adult reading pace of about 250 words per minute — roughly 290 minutes. Faster or slower readers will vary; the estimate is a planning guide for assigning the book.

What curricula assign Gay Neck, The Story of a Pigeon & Ghond The Hunter?

Gay Neck, The Story of a Pigeon & Ghond The Hunter appears on reading lists for Newbery Medal. Each assignment on this site links to its primary-source citation.

Is Gay Neck, The Story of a Pigeon & Ghond The Hunter banned in schools?

Gay Neck, The Story of a Pigeon & Ghond The Hunter does not appear in PEN America's Index of School Book Bans 2022-2024. No documented multi-district removals on record, but individual districts may challenge titles locally.