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Binding: Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-57131-701-8
Pages: 208
Publish Date: September 2012
Genre: Young Readers
Silhouette of a Sparrow
BY Molly Beth Griffin
Growing up in the 1920s, sixteen-year-old Garnet Richardson envies the birds outside her window. Her mother does not approve of Garnet climbing trees to peer into nests or any other such un-ladylike behavior. She has Garnet’s life all planned out: after finishing high school, she’ll marry and tend to the home. But when Garnet is sent away for the summer to stay with relatives in the lakeside resort town of Excelsior, Minnesota, she finds a chance to spread her wings. A newly built amusement park and roaring dance hall beckon, and her explorations land her where she least expects—in a growing relationship with a beautiful and daring flapper, Isabella.
So begins the most important summer of Garnet’s life. Caught between her family’s expectations and her own newfound passions, she must decide whose dreams to follow. Can she seize the freedom she so admires in birds?
BEYOND THE BOOK
• In this interview, Molly Beth Griffin talks about teenage love, childhood memories, and life during the Roaring Twenties.
• Also, see what she has to say about loving (and loathing) research.
• Silhouette of a Sparrow is full of lush descriptions of Minnesota’s flora and fauna. That’s because Molly Beth Griffin has strong feelings about nature in books for young readers.
• Reading Silhouette of a Sparrow for a book club or class? Keep the conversation lively with this Discussion Guide.
“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. The writing style is straight-forward so the plot turns, analogies, and descriptions stand out, adding vibrancy to the story.”
“Griffin’s first novel for teens is laced with evocative period details that give readers a taste of what it was like to come of age during the flapper era.”
“Silhouette of a Sparrow is Molly Beth Griffin’s first novel, and fans of young adult fiction will enjoy its quiet drama.”
—ForeWord Reviews
“Tight and purposeful . . . a positive breath of fresh air.”
“Garnet’s feminist and environmental concerns are relevant for a young contemporary audience without feeling anachronistic to the narrative.”
