Sparrow Road

Product Information

When I saw that Sheila O'Connor was a professor at Hamline University where Gary Schmidt and Anne Ursu work I wondered if she would have strong characters like they do in their middle grade and young adult novels. She does. It is the main strength in this novel along with beautiful writing. The emotional arc of twelve-year-old Raine and the character development of secondary characters kept me going in this book. The plot was predictable and the action minimal, but the subplot had surprises and the ending was strong. Much of the tension is centered on adult issues and this will appeal to students who like realistic fiction that tug at emotions. The messages of missing people, addiction, abandonment, artistic creations, and dealing with conflict (between adults) make for good discussions.

Even the ending (not really a spoiler), Mama asks Raine if they should stay at Sparrow Road, or return to the city. In this way, Mama would not have to be a "waitress" anymore. What?!?! How about what is best for your kid, lady? One of the things I love about Sparrow Road is the way this story unravels. Little by little Sheila carefully unravels a beautiful story full of mystery with both it's characters, and the setting's history, that ends up becoming a relatable coming of age story. Though I wanted answers right away, I loved how engaged this made me feel with the book. I wanted to know more. Sheila is a brilliant story teller, because she doesn't tell me everything about her story, she shows me. I really enjoyed the way she allowed me to become apart of her story and introduced each of the characters, including the main character twelve year old Raine. The plot is predictable which was probably okay because the mom seemed out-of-character in the beginning. Once it appeared her mom knew Viktor, I connected the dots as to what was going to happen next. While this takes a bit of the tension out, I didn't feel disappointed because the characters move the pace along and I anxiously anticipated what was going to happen next. I credit O'Connor's terrific writing to keep me going. I am not a very patient reader and don't like this type of book as a matter of personal taste. Another tweak I'd make is I think that the book had too much of an adult focus versus a child focus. Raine is dealing mainly with adult problems and there is no other kid that is her age to interact with in the storyline, only an imaginary friend. While she is surrounded by loving, supportive adults, I would have liked some other kids.If there is one book you read this summer. This is it. This is the book that made me fall in love with reading again. 12-year-old Raine has an unexpected summer that at first she resists and as she transforms, and the people she meets transforms - it changes her life forever. T]he strength of even imperfect human connections is celebrated through the relationships among a multitude of vivid and varied characters.” – BCCB My guess is that anticipated audience won't get the significance of the nearby town being named Comfort, but they will understand how a summer in the country, away from one's normal life, can help change people. The census collection is designed so that each group of postcodes should contain at least 100 people (50 in Scotland).

I cannot think of one kid I know from the library, or my own daughters who could appreciate this story. Is it a thinly veiled criticism of the foster care system, a reflection on single parenting? Who knows. I read this coming-of-age book every free chance I got over two days. It is so beautifully written, like riding a slow, golden wave that builds and builds and covers all in its beauty to rest finally at a peaceful shore. O'Connor creates such an amazing scene and set of so many characters with such sparse, poetic prose. It's written in the first person, which I usually don't enjoy, but this is written so elegantly it FEELS like third person as we see and feel how all the characters are thru Raine's eyes and heart.I wanted Eleanor to play a better role. Her final scene about dreams and stuff was nice, but I was thinking more along the lines of a huge, emotional breakthrough where the reason for her crudeness is revealed and she becomes nice. Instead, I just got a sad little departure. And, yes, I was sad for her to leave.

One interesting point is that there are no real clues as to WHEN this story took place. No mention of cell phones, Internet, computers, etc. The main character wrote letters to her Grampa, and she spoke of missing TV and radio. Based on some of the terminology (five-and-dime) I'd guess it was the late 70's...?The information on housing, people, culture, employment and education that is displayed about Sparrow Road, Totnes, TQ9 5PR is based on the last census performed in the UK in 2021.