Sparrow Being Sparrow

by Gail Donovan, Elysia Case (Illustrator)

Overview

An endearingly energetic fourth grader takes on the big job of finding new homes for her neighbor’s seven cats in this “uplifting” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) illustrated middle grade novel for fans of Patricia MacLachlan and Sharon Creech.

Sparrow Robinson loves to dance and leap around. She loves cats. She has a million questions about the world, and she’s not afraid to ask them. But she’s just moved to a new town and a new school, and her busy parents have no time for her to get “carried away.” Suddenly, she feels totally out of place.

Sparrow’s favorite thing in all this newness is her neighbor, Mrs. LaRose, who has seven cats and always has cookies and lemonade to share. But after Mrs. LaRose breaks her hip, she decides to move into assisted living—where the cats aren’t allowed! Sparrow has to help.

Determined to find new homes for the cats, Sparrow forgets about her own troubles—but her quest just might be the key to Sparrow finding a home for herself in this town, too.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781665916691
Publisher:	Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	07/25/2023
Series:	Sparrow Being Sparrow
Pages:	192
Sales rank:	722,686
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.25(h) x 0.90(d)
Age Range:	7 - 10 Years

About the Author

Gail Donovan was fired from her first job in an ice cream shop for making the sundaes too big. She now works in a library and writes middle grade novels, including Sparrow Being Sparrow, a Junior Library Guild Selection; Finchosaurus, a Moonbeam Children’s Book Award winner; and In Memory of Gorfman T. Frog, named to the New York Public Library’s 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing list. She has also written for the Rainbow Fish & Friends picture book series based on the bestselling work of Marcus Pfister. Donovan lives on the coast of Maine, where she jumps in the ocean all year round. She has shared her home with a dozen birds, a few dogs, a rat, and a cat named Cookie. Visit her at GailDonovan.com.

Elysia Case is an illustrator from the Finger Lakes region of New York. When she’s not making things, she can be found spoiling her pets with too many treats and annoying them with too many kisses. Follow her on Instagram @Elyvescent.

Read an Excerpt

Chapter 1

1
Sparrow. Sparrow! SPARROW!

That was how the sirens sounded. First far away, like someone whispering. Then getting closer. Louder. Like someone scolding: Sparrow. Sparrow! SPARROW! Your fault. Your fault! YOUR FAULT!

Sparrow knelt beside Mrs. LaRose. The sound of the sirens was so much bigger than everything else.

Everything else was this: Mrs. LaRose on the green grass. Under the blue sky. And a white cat, bumping its head against the old lady’s hand, asking to be petted.

Mrs. LaRose was trying to say something, but Sparrow couldn’t hear because the sirens were so crazy loud. See? See? See? See what happens when you get carried away?

Now the ambulance came screeching down the street, with a fire truck right behind it, red lights flashing. They pulled up in front of the house, and the sirens finally stopped. In the silence Sparrow heard Mrs. LaRose.

“My cats,” she said.

“Don’t worry about the cats,” said Sparrow. “I’ll take care of them. I promise.”

She didn’t know what “them” meant, exactly. Mrs. LaRose had a lot of cats. But some were shy and hid whenever Sparrow came by. And some were outside cats that weren’t always around. She did know that no matter how many cats Mrs. LaRose had, she’d take care of them. For one thing, she had promised.

And for another thing, this was all her fault.

Editorial Reviews

★ 05/15/2023

A spirited child embarks on a mission to rehome her elderly neighbor’s seven cats while navigating a new school, new friends, and a shifting relationship with her parents in this warm novel by Donovan (Finchosaurus). Enthusiastic nine-year-old Sparrow Robinson tends to get in trouble when excited; “Sparrow being Sparrow” is her loving parents’ weary refrain when she gets carried away. After her neighbor Mrs. LaRose falls and breaks her hip while the pair is playing make-believe, the Maine fourth grader volunteers to search for new homes for the older woman’s cats. Hoping to impress new friend Paloma, she also impulsively claims that the felines belong to her. Sparrow, who is starting to understand how she is perceived by others, experiences angst over the spontaneous fib and struggles to put things to rights. Further interpersonal events, including the anticipated arrival of a new sibling, exacerbate Sparrow’s worries. Her innate curiosity, coupled with her perceptive perspective, emerging sense of empathy, and desire to be seen as responsible, buoys this uplifting slice-of-life tale. Classic-feeling digital art by Case punctuates moments of strong emotion. Main characters are white; the supporting cast cues as racially diverse. Ages 7–10. Agent: Victoria Wells-Arms, HG Literary. (July)

Publishers Weekly

"Donovan has mastered the art of light-hearted, realistic fiction, humorously told and with a gentle lesson attached."

Portland Press Herald

*Amazon Best of the Month pick*

*A Junior Library Guild Selection*

From the Publisher

"Sure to delight readers of all ages with its charm, warmth and humor."

The Times Record of Maine

2023-05-09
A rambunctious 9-year-old comes into her own when she and her family move to Maine.

“High spirited” is how Sparrow’s mom describes her to her teacher. And when Mrs. LaRose, who owns their two-family house and who babysits Sparrow, breaks her hip while the two are dancing in the yard, her father calls it “Sparrow being Sparrow.” Sparrow starts caring for Mrs. LaRose’s seven cats while the older woman is in the hospital. Things take a turn when Sparrow finds out Mrs. LaRose will be moving to an assisted living facility that allows her to keep only one cat. Sparrow must find homes for the others—and the soon-to-be-born kittens; one of the cats, Mrs. Moon, is pregnant. Complicating matters, Sparrow's mother is pregnant, too, and Sparrow feels left out. Sparrow's adjustment is full of ups and downs: She tells her classmates that Mrs. LaRose's cats are hers, and her peers—especially her new friend Paloma—feel betrayed when she confesses the truth. But seeking homes for the cats helps smooth things over and brings her closer to the community, especially the church that she and her family join. Kids who enjoy realistic school, family, and pet stories will find that this book, with its cozy, retro atmosphere and grayscale illustrations, purrs along. Sparrow, her family, and Mrs. LaRose present White; Paloma is Dominican.

A warm and welcoming tale of a girl finding her way home. (Fiction. 7-10)

Kirkus Reviews