Silhouette of a Sparrow [Paperback]

Molly Beth Griffin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 13, 2013

WINNER OF THE MILKWEED PRIZE FOR CHILDREN'S LITERATURE
WINNER OF THE 2013 PATERSON PRIZE FOR BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS
ALA RAINBOW LIST RECOMMENDED BOOK
AMELIA BLOOMER PROJECT LIST RECOMMENDED BOOK
LAMBDA LITERARY AWARD FINALIST
MINNESOTA BOOK AWARD FINALIST

In the summer of 1926, sixteen-year-old Garnet Richardson is sent to a lake resort to escape the polio epidemic in the city. She dreams of indulging in ornithology and a visit to an amusement park—a summer of fun before she returns to a last year of high school, marriage, and middle-class homemaking. But in the country, Garnet finds herself under supervision of oppressive guardians, her father's wealthy cousin and the matron's stuck-up daughter. Only a job in a hat shop, an intense, secret relationship with a beautiful flapper, and a deep faith in her own heart can save her from the suffocation of traditional femininity in this coming-of-age story about a search for both wildness and security in an era full of unrest. It is the tale of a young woman's discovery of the science of risk and the art of rebellion, and, of course, the power of unexpected love.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Because of her father’s emotional illness, 16-year-old Garnet is sent to spend the summer of 1926 with wealthy relatives at a resort hotel in Excelsior, Minnesota. There, despite her relatives’ snobbish disapproval, she takes a job in a milliner’s shop where she meets the beautiful Isabella, a flapper and dancer at the local dance hall. The two girls quickly (too quickly?) fall in love and begin a secret relationship. In addition to her love for Isabella, Garnet’s other great passion is birds; she longs to go to college to study science and perhaps become a field biologist. Her mother has other, more traditional plans for her future, however. Which path will Garnet pick, and what will happen to her relationship with Isabella? Griffin does a nice job with her period setting, and although Garnet’s relatives are stock types, Isabella is a fully realized character, and the girls’ relationship is tenderly and touchingly realized. There are some contrivances (a fire may be too convenient), but otherwise the book is a pleasant and diverting read. Grades 7-12. --Michael Cart --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"Silhouette of a Sparrow is an excellent example of an historical, coming-of-age lesbian young adult novel. Written with a deft hand, based in the true history of its setting, and with characterizations that will ring true to any teenager, it is a worthy and enjoyable read for anyone." —Lambda Literary

"A positive breath of fresh air in a market bloated with opportunistic dystopian and paranormal romances." —Kirkus Reviews

"Silhouette of a Sparrow is a keeper, and I will be adding it to the shortlist of lesbian teen books I can recommend with no reservations." —The Lesbrary

"Tenderly and touchingly realized … a pleasant and diverting read." —Booklist

"Garnet's sexual awakening is suffused with lightness and joy, and her familial and identity struggles will resonate with contemporary teens." —Publishers Weekly

"Silhouette of a Sparrow is an excellent example of an historical, coming-of-age lesbian young adult novel. Written with a deft hand, based in the true history of its setting, and with characterizations that will ring true to any teenager, it is a worthy and enjoyable read for anyone." — Lambda Literary

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Milkweed Editions; First Trade Paper Edition edition (August 13, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157131704X
• ISBN-13: 978-1571317049
• Shipping Information: View shipping rates and policies
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,675,677 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I am a graduate of Hamline University's MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults, and a writing teacher at the Loft Literary Center in the Twin Cities. A Minnesota native, I now live in South Minneapolis with my family. I love cooking, reading, and hiking in all kinds of weather.

My first picture book, Loon Baby, just came out with Houghton Mifflin (2011), and my first Young Adult novel, Silhouette of a Sparrow, is due out with Milkweed Editions in the fall of 2012. I am working on more picture books, and a middle grade novel.

Though my writing reaches across all age groups and genres, it all demonstrates my passion for exploring young people's changing relationship to the natural world. For more information about my books, writing classes, events, and manuscript critique service, please visit www.mollybethgriffin.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Charming and beautifully written September 8, 2012

By Katya

Format:Kindle Edition

A coming of age story set in the 20′s, Silhouette of a Sparrow by Molly Beth Griffin is a little bit Member of the Wedding (evocative of a time and place) and a little bit Fried Green Tomatoes (a budding relationship between two young women looking to assert themselves). It is charming and beautifully written. This book would be a great historical fiction accompaniment to a High School unit on the roaring 20′s or women's changing roles in American history.

Gigi struggles to balance her family's traditional values and expectations for her with her desires and dream (to study ornithology). There is enough tension and drama to keep the pacing tight. And the writing is lovely. Really lovely. And how awesome is a protagonist who says, "I held onto this practice of scientific naming as a small rebellion -- a secret whispered between me, the silhouettes, and my bedroom wall."

Gigi goes from being a passive participant in her life to taking risks (going to the carnival and on the boat trip) and even challenging those around her to change (Miss Maple, Hannah). When her life takes a difficult and unexpected turn, she rises to the occasion and finds her strength. "[I]f I had the courage to [SPOILER], I also had the courage to speak the truth."

While Gigi is clearly the focus of this book, the secondary characters are not given cookie cutter identities. At the beginning most of the characters think they know who they are and what they want. Gigi says, "I could wrap those pretty words around me like a familiar blanket and fall asleep thinking I knew exactly who I was." As circumstances challenge their lives and beliefs, Hannah, Avery, and Isabella grow and discover their strengths....

As I finished the book, I wanted to know more and that's the mark of a good book -- a book where I care so much about the characters that I wonder about them long after I finish reading the book. I being so caught up in the world of a book that I feel it's pull in my non-reading life. "Fly, Gigi, fly!"

I cannot recommend it strongly enough. This is a must read if you love beautifully crafted YA literature.

*I would like to thank Milkweed for proving me an eARC of this book* Read more ›

4.0 out of 5 stars Caught between love and duty in 1920's. April 30, 2013

By Laura Lanik

Format:Hardcover

Garnet Richardson is bound by tradition and history to fulfill the roles her mother has designed for her. She will get married, raise a family, be a good Lutheran and take care of her parents. Except that Garnet has other plans and as she tries to break out of her 1920's mold, she will be caught between love and duty.

Garnet's dad returned from the Great War shell shocked, the polio epidemic is raging in the city and she must leave for the summer. Garnet takes the street car to Excelsior, Minnesota to stay with her Aunt and cousin, the Harrington's, at a resort on Lake Minnetonka for the summer. Here she gets a job at a hat shop, meets a beautiful dancer, spends time at the lake, an amusement park and bird watches. But mostly she sneaks out to hang out with her new friend Isabella and it is shaping up to be a summer to remember.

Garnet loves birds. In each chapter of Sillhouette of a Sparrow, Griffin incorporates a bird species native to the Minnesota landscape. Each bird has a role in the chapter and may have characteristics similar to the characters. Garnet usually cuts a silhouette of the bird out of paper and hangs it on her wall to remember, to enjoy her flock. I really looked forward to learning which bird Griffin would incorporate into each chapter.

Griffin creates a strong, subtle storyline in Silhouette of a Sparrow. It is enlightening to learn what a young woman's role in society was like in the 1920's and how hard it was to be different, much less break out of society's traditional roles.

Silhouette of a Sparrow is different than traditional young adult historical fiction. It has a unique storyline within a unique setting. It is not so much a coming out story as it is a love story.... The love story was subtle, well-written and believable. Griffin's characters are so real and passionate and they complement each other well.

Silhouette of a Sparrow was shortlisted for the Minnesota book award in the teen fiction category and it is well-deserving of it's place on the list.

"My first thought when she came through the door to the hat shop was scarlet tanager. It must of been the bright red lips that perched on her pale face. She had shiny black hair, bobbed, and dark eyes, and she wore a sundress cut above the knee and no stockings." Pg. 51 (how scandalous, a dress cut above the knee and no stockings)

Garnet is a sparrow who is learning to spread her wings and fly. Don't let this sparrow fly away. Read more ›

4.0 out of 5 stars Silhouette of a Sparrow March 23, 2013

By Brittany Moore VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

It's the 1920's and Garnet is sent to the country for some "fresh air". Garnet loves ornithology, and carries a pair of scissors to snip out bird silhouettes. This is something that she does with ease. Though Garnet is fascinated by this new place she has come to stay, the company is less than desirable. Her relations are stuffy and snobby and Garnet just wants to escape them desperately. Then she finds someone to escape with. There are many reasons that people would find the friendship between Garnet and her new flapper friend scandalous, so they have to sneak around. This works fine until things come up that threatens to tear apart the happiness the two of them have built. Some things that should be, simply are not to be.

What a lovely book. I really enjoyed Garnet, she had such an interesting personality. I would have loved to see her snipping out bird silhouettes quick as you like. I really liked how many different things she had going on throughout the book. Her brain was consumed by just one passion.

It's crazy thinking about how duty bound women were(still are). Things always had to fall into a certain place otherwise you were deemed outside of the realm of nice people. Garnet is trying to escape what she has to do and at first she doesn't even quite realizes it's not what she wants. It's a tricky thing to look at something that is safe and comfortable and livable and decide that that's not really want you want. To know that you can be content, but not happy is a hard thing to walk away from. This is especially true when there is no promise that you will be happy. I appreciate that Garnet was willing to try though.

The relationship was wonderful.... You would think that un-worldly Garnet would be the one that needed taking care of, but she ended up taking care of Isabella. Together, they both find out more about themselves. I think that what made their relationship ring so true. Is that through each other they were able to find themselves. Those are the kind of people we all need to surround ourselves with. True people, kind people.

This is a wonderful book and an especially wonderful LGBT book. It's a quick by beautiful read and I look forward to more by this author. If you have a chance, definitely check out this novel.

First Line:
"I was born blue."

Favorite Line:
"It was a slow, silent carousel ride, and I gave in completely to the dizziness." Read more ›