Sparrow being Sparrow

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)

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) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

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. Excerpted from Sparrow Being Sparrow by Gail Donovan All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.