Goodreads Review
Fondo's life is sad and lonely until he meets Stephanie Michele. She takes care of the geese who live on the shore of Lake Merritt, and when Fondo shows up there one day, she lets him help. But now the geese are preparing to fly south for the winter, and Fondo says that they've invited him to join them. Is hope enough to accomplish a miracle? Patricia Polacco masterfully intertwines themes of friendship, homelessness, and faith to create a beautiful modern myth.

A homeless boy names Fondo met Stephanie Michelle, the keeper of the animals at Lake Merritt, and became unlikely friends. She let him help her feed the geese and he began to become acquainted with a blind goose that followed him wherever he went. Stephanie Michelle had a special gift that let her hear what the sun was saying and she figured out that Fondo had it too. Stephanie realized that Fondo was an orphan and he was about to be placed in special-needs housing. He left the park for the last time to be taken away. Stephanie Michelle was devastated; however, Fondo ran away from his orphanage so he could fly away with the geese. ( )

A woman who feeds geese in the park befriends a little boy who can hear the geese and can hear the sun like she can. After finding out he is homeless, she does everything she can to keep the boy safe and free like the birds. ( )

I Can Hear the Sun is a story about a homeless boy who finds a family at a bird sanctuary with the birds and the caretakers. The boy and a blind goose become best friends and are inseparable. When it comes time for the boy to leave the city he's in he runs away and flies away with the geese instead. This is a heart warming and inspirational story that shows family can be more than your relatives.

High on my list of Polacco's wonderful children's illustrated books, this one address very difficult situations without over dramatizing.

When a sad, forlorn, lonely child is found sitting on the bench of Lake Merritt in California, Stephanie Michele, who cares for the geese who live on the shore and in the water of Lake Merritt, keenly observes Fondo's interactions with the geese.

In particular, one blind goose seems to be attached to Fondo and senses where he is and follows him.

In addition to Fondo, there are others who inhabit the lake. Living there, sleeping on the benches, are a Viet Nam vet, stuck in the past and the horrible memories that haunt, and a homeless lady who mumbles and talks sparingly while pushing a shopping cart throughout the park.

As the geese prepare to fly south for the winter, Fondo, an orphan, who lives in a home for parentless children, also must leave the lake. Failing all scholastic tests, he will be placed in another institution far away from his beloved friends.

In her infinite wisdom, Stephanie realizes the specialness of Fondo and pleads his case to the authorities. Realizing that as Fondo listens, watches and observes, she knows he is a very bright, kind, special soul who indeed hears the sun and communicates with the geese who embrace and love him. Unsuccessful, she grieves.

Listening to the geese, Fondo understands that the geese are calling him to fly away with them. And, one day he runs away to visit the lake yet again, spreads his arms and flies.

Part mythological, very spiritual, melding those whom society deems "challenging", Polacco touches the spirit and soul of the reader as we understand the power of friendship, of hope and of love.

Highly recommended.

Five Stars! ( )