When Joe discovers that his friend David’s grandfather used to train hawks just like in the book he’s reading he wants to try it for himself. After convincing Grandfather Mannering to teach them the art of falconry they set off to capture a juvenile Peregrine Falcon and learn the ancient art. Set in Australia, but relevant everywhere Peregrine Falcons are found, Thunderbolt the Falcon is a fascinating and humorous read. C.K. Thompson weaves many facts about birds and nature seamlessly within the narrative with many events inspired by real life.