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Sparrow [Mass Market Paperback]

Sherri L. Smith (Author)
5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)


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Book Description

January 8, 2008
Family sticks with family. That’s the golden rule G’ma taught Kendall. But once G’ma’s gone, Kendall has no family left—except for an aunt G’ma asked for at the end, who Kendall barely remembers. Only Aunt Janet knows what G’ma had in mind, but she never even shows up at the funeral. With child services on Kendall’s case and just 10 days to get her apartment lease renewed, Kendall sets out for Janet’s home in New Orleans to get her life in order—and her questions answered.

But what she finds are new friends, like Evie, who is confined to a wheelchair, but can sing like the women on G’ma’s old records; Miss Clare, who needs Kendall’s help as much as Kendall needs hers; and Marcus, who is younger than them all, but still knows how to get by. And when Mardi Gras arrives, with its parades and prizes and music, anything seems possible—even making a fresh start, with or without Janet.


From the Hardcover edition.

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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7-9–At a young age, Kendall, now 17, lost her parents and younger brother in a car accident. Her grandmother has raised her in Chicago, in a modest apartment, the best way she knows how. Despite having recently suffered a stroke, the woman doesn't want her health to stand in the way of Kendall graduating with the rest of her class. When G'ma dies, the teen finds herself in search of the only family she knows of, an Aunt Janet in New Orleans, who has the reputation of being unreliable. Kendall can't locate her aunt, but is befriended by Clare, Janet's landlord, and Evie, Clare's daughter. Her relationship with Evie is rocky at first, until both girls learn to look beyond their own problems and help one another. Sonorous blues tunes from Sarah Vaughn, memories of her family before the accident, and recollections of moments spent with G'ma make Kendall's story real. This is a touching novel of a teen left behind by circumstance and a relative who fails her. In the end, Kendall is on her own, working, and holding hope for the future.–Kelly Czarnecki, Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg, NC
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

Gr. 7-10. Since her parents and little brother died in a car crash when she was five, African American Kendall has been raised by tough, loving G'ma. But when G'ma dies, Kendall, 17, must cope alone. Though she knows very little about her aunt Janet, G'ma's "other daughter," Kendall decides to go to New Orleans to find her. Why did Janet leave home? Why does she run from Kendall now? When Kendall reaches New Orleans, she is taken in by Janet's neighbor, a kind white woman who needs a caregiver for her disabled teenage daughter, Evie. Evie is as tough and smart as she is physically needy, and the teens' growing friendship is drawn without sentimentality; the girls quarrel and help each other in their pride and loneliness. The mystery surrounding Janet will draw readers in, and as the revelations build to a quiet climax, the warm characters redefine what family means. Recommend I Hadn't Meant to Tell You This (1994), by Jacqueline Woodson, for readers wanting another story about an interracial friendship. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

  • Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  • Mass Market Paperback: 192 pages
  • Publisher: Laurel Leaf (January 8, 2008)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0440239451
  • ISBN-13: 978-0440239451
  • Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 0.6 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,629,611 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Sherri L. Smith was born in Chicago, Illinois and spent most of her childhood reading books. She currently lives in Los Angeles, where she has worked in movies, animation, comic books and construction. Sherri's first book, Lucy the Giant, was an American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults in 2003. The Dutch translation, Lucy XXL (Gottmer, 2005), was awarded an Honorable Mention at the 2005 De Gouden Zoen, or Golden Kiss, Awards for Children's Literature in the Netherlands. Sherri's novel, Sparrow, was chosen as a National Council for the Social Studies/Children's Book Council Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People and is also a 2009 Louisiana Young Readers Choice Award Nominee. Upon the release of Hot, Sour, Salty, Sweet in February 2008, Sherri was featured as a spotlight author for The Brown Bookshelf's Black History Month celebration, 28 Days Later. Flygirl, an historical YA novel set during World War II, is her fourth novel. She is currently working on her fifth book.

 

Customer Reviews

2 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
5.0 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't put it down..., February 4, 2007
This review is from: Sparrow (Hardcover)
This story is about a teenage girl, Kendall, crossing over to adulthood. She is forced to deal with some very grown up problems after the death of her grandmother. I enjoyed reading this book because the characters are very realistic. Kendall is very strong and determined do what has to be done. She also very honestly shares her fears and insecurities with the reader. This book reminds me of how much my family influences my life and that family is made up of more than just blood relatives.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't put it down!, December 27, 2008
This review is from: Sparrow (Mass Market Paperback)
Sparrow was a page turner for me. The main character, Kendall, goes through so much, but is able to remain strong and form meaningful friendships. Her memories of her family are so vivid, and her emotions are so real, that I couldn't stop reading. I also enjoyed the blues music references and the setting and dialogues are engaging. Thanks Sherri Smith for another great story!
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