The Eagle Huntress: The True Story of the Girl Who Soared Beyond Expectations

by Aisholpan Nurgaiv, Liz Welch (With)

Overview

The subject of the award-winning documentary The Eagle Huntress tells the true story of how she became the first girl to compete in—and win—one of Mongolia's most prestigious competitions.

In this compelling memoir, teenaged eagle hunter Aisholpan Nurgaiv tells her own story for the first time, speaking directly with award-winning and New York Times bestselling author Liz Welch (I Will Always Write Back), who traveled to Mongolia for this book. Nurgaiv's story and fresh, sincere voice are not only inspiring but truly magnificent: with the support of her father, she captured and trained her own golden eagle and won the Ölgii eagle festival. She was the only girl to compete in the festival.

Filled with stunning photographs, The Eagle Huntress is a striking tale of determination— of a girl who defied expectations and achieved what others declared impossible. Aisholpan Nurgaiv's story is both unique and universally relatable: a memoir of survival, empowerment, and the positive impact of one person's triumph.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316522625
Publisher:	Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	06/15/2021
Pages:	208
Sales rank:	512,808
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.10(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Aisholpan Nurgaiv was the first female eagle hunter to have competed in the Golden Eagle Festival in Ölgii, Mongolia. Her story was featured in the award-winning documentary film The Eagle Huntress. She is currently a student in Kazakhstan.

Liz Welch is an award-winning journalist and memoirist. She is the co-author of the New York Times bestselling I Will Always Write Back and The Kids Are All Right, whichwon an ALA Alex Award.

Table of Contents

Prologue: Seeing My Story for the First Time 1

Chapter 1 The White Eagle 11

Chapter 2 My People Are Eagle Hunters 24

Chapter 3 Nomadic Life 33

Chapter 4 A Rite of Passage 49

Chapter 5 Tourists 61

Chapter 6 Asher Arrives 80

Chapter 7 Otto, Not Just Another Excited Tourist 95

Chapter 8 How to Train an Eagle 109

Chapter 9 Blessings and Opinions 125

Chapter 10 The Road to Ölgii 130

Chapter 11 The Golden Eagle Festival 139

Chapter 12 How to Catch a Fox in the Winter 159

Chapter 13 Famous in Mongolia-and Beyond 175

Chapter 14 The Aisholpan Effect 188

Acknowledgments 192

Further Reading 195

Kazakh Glossary 196

Discussion Guide 198

About the Authors 200

Editorial Reviews

"[A] glimpse into another culture.... Recommended."—School Library Journal

"Nurgaiv's love for and pride in her homeland, culture, and family come through with quiet, persuasive power. An intriguing memoir from a girl who's become a cultural icon."—Kirkus

"Young readers will be intrigued by the details of eagle hunting and the nomadic lifestyle.... An accessibly written, steadily paced story of perseverance and self-confidence."—School Library Connection

"A great stand-alone or companion to the documentary film The Eagle Huntress."—Booklist

From the Publisher

Aisholpan Nurgaiv is a real-life Kazakh girl who became the first female entrant and winner in Mongolia’s prestigious Golden Eagle Festival. Hunting with eagles is an ancient skill traditionally limited to males. Narrator Alexa Khan uses her youthful voice to re-create Nurgaiv’s accented English. This gives the first-person story a feeling of authenticity, as Nurgaiv frequently describes her unfamiliarity with the world outside her nomadic life in Mongolia. However, the stilted speech pattern makes the story’s pace quite slow, a weakness that is compounded by the absence of contractions in Nurgaiv’s writing. Nurgaiv has an even temperament, but Khan also expresses her occasional frustrations, her sadness over the death of a beloved relative, and her excitement upon winning the competition. L.T. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine

JUNE 2020 - AudioFile

Aisholpan Nurgaiv is a real-life Kazakh girl who became the first female entrant and winner in Mongolia’s prestigious Golden Eagle Festival. Hunting with eagles is an ancient skill traditionally limited to males. Narrator Alexa Khan uses her youthful voice to re-create Nurgaiv’s accented English. This gives the first-person story a feeling of authenticity, as Nurgaiv frequently describes her unfamiliarity with the world outside her nomadic life in Mongolia. However, the stilted speech pattern makes the story’s pace quite slow, a weakness that is compounded by the absence of contractions in Nurgaiv’s writing. Nurgaiv has an even temperament, but Khan also expresses her occasional frustrations, her sadness over the death of a beloved relative, and her excitement upon winning the competition. L.T. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine

JUNE 2020 - AudioFile