Looking for a book I read in the mid to late 90s. It was a chapter/YA book aimed at tweens about a boy (I think) who worked on a ranch/farm with emus or ostriches, I believe for the purpose of racing them. Must have been published in the 80s or 90s. May have been set in Australia but I'm not sure. I remember it had a realistic illustration in soft focus of the bird in question on the cover. Anyone else recall this?
Jack Daw loves birds - all shapes, sizes, and breeds. One day his class visits the local zoo, and weighing 345 punds, this tremendous creature immediately captures jack's heart. That's when Jack comes up with a plan. He steals an extra ostrich egg that's about to be fed to a snake, and brings it home to his family's farm. But will this "cuckoo child" hatch? and what will J Jack Daw loves birds - all shapes, sizes, and breeds. One day his class visits the local zoo, and weighing 345 punds, this tremendous creature immediately captures jack's heart. That's when Jack comes up with a plan. He steals an extra ostrich egg that's about to be fed to a snake, and brings it home to his family's farm. But will this "cuckoo child" hatch? and what will Jack do if it does? ...more