Booklist awards J. Patrick Lewis' and Paul B. Janeczko's Birds on a Wire with a starred review in its August 1, 2008 issue:

"In the Japanese verse form called renga, a cousin to the haiku, two or more poets take turns, each playing off the previous verse so that the narrative is propelled in constantly new and surprising directions. ... This lovely picture book is an impeccable synthesis of text and image, each simultaneously playing off the other and themselves in a manner both insightful and visceral, that demands and rewards multiple readings, viewings, and contemplations."