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The Language of Sparrows
Brilliant and fluent in too many languages to count, 15-year-old Sierra Wright can't seem to communicate what is important to her in any language. Though April Wright stubbornly keeps an upbeat attitude about her daughter's future, she has let her own dreams slip away. Just across the bridge lives old Luca, scarred from his time in a Romanian gulag years before. Though he has seemingly given up on people, Sierra is drawn to him despite his prickly edges. No one else is comfortable with the unpredictable old man spending time alone with Sierra, not even Luca's son. Yet it is this unconventional relationship that will bring two families together to form friendships and unearth their family stories, stories that just might give them all the courage to soar on wings toward a new future.
386 pages, Paperback
First published July 10, 2013
70 people are currently reading
1625 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews
July 15, 2013
Reminiscent of Susan Meissner and Linda Nichols, a new author of Christian Women’s Fiction has just released her debut novel. Rachel Phifer with The Language of Sparrows, winner of the 2012 ACFW Genesis Award, is sure to earn many more accolades.
I loved this heart-wrenching story of April and her teenage daughter Sierra trying to get on with life after the mysterious death of April’s husband. This author writes realistic sadness, but bathes each page in hope. Sierra is a gifted student who is now skipping school and taking no interest in her grades. She wants the secret of her father’s death uncovered, but April cannot bear to share that terrible truth with her daughter.
When their lives mingle with that of another broken family—an elderly Romanian man and his estranged son Nick—do April and Sierra’s lives change. By sharing brokenness with these men, and with teenage Carlos, do April and Sierra find healing for their hearts, and new beginnings.
This is a new writer to take notice of—a gifted storyteller who writes with poetry in her soul, and a deep understanding of human psychology.
I wish I could give this book ten stars. Brilliant! Bravo Rachel Phifer! Author, author!!!
I loved this heart-wrenching story of April and her teenage daughter Sierra trying to get on with life after the mysterious death of April’s husband. This author writes realistic sadness, but bathes each page in hope. Sierra is a gifted student who is now skipping school and taking no interest in her grades. She wants the secret of her father’s death uncovered, but April cannot bear to share that terrible truth with her daughter.
When their lives mingle with that of another broken family—an elderly Romanian man and his estranged son Nick—do April and Sierra’s lives change. By sharing brokenness with these men, and with teenage Carlos, do April and Sierra find healing for their hearts, and new beginnings.
This is a new writer to take notice of—a gifted storyteller who writes with poetry in her soul, and a deep understanding of human psychology.
I wish I could give this book ten stars. Brilliant! Bravo Rachel Phifer! Author, author!!!
February 4, 2016
A lost, lonely older man....and a lost, lonely teenage girl find an unlikely friendship & both begin to heal & mend.
November 20, 2013
I was given a copy of this book for free in exchange for my honest opinion.
On the outside, Sierra and Luca are at opposite ends of life. One just beginning the world at her fingertips, the other reflecting on a life mostly gone. Yet, the bond of secrets, grief, and a love of learning tie these unlikely friends and their families together against the odds.
I'll confess I'm not one to pick a book on a whim these days. Life's too busy and too many recent whims have ended up a bust, especially within modern, Christian romance.
I was thoroughly surprised when I found myself eagerly tearing through Rachel Phifer's novel with eager anticipation and hope for a happy resolution for my two favourite characters.
Sierra is a young and brilliant high school student whose life is directed through her grief at her father's sudden and unexplained death.
Sierra was definitely a favourite character and a book highlight.
Having worked with youth and grieving families (Interesting summer job one summer) Phifer's portrayal of her grief at the multiple losses in her life (father, home, school, relationship with her mother) was believable and well written as revelations throughout the story moved Sierra through the rollercoaster of her grief and healing.
Luca, as the gruff older gentleman even his son doesn't trust was a surprising favourite of mine as the story progressed. As his life (love?) story is laid out I found myself more and more drawn to the man much like Sierra. Honestly, this became a huge point of connection in the story for me as a reader as Sierra's relationship begin to mirror the reader's entrance into Luca's life.
If you've read one of these before you know I don't like giving out major plot spoilers but my one beef with the story does tie in slightly. Most of the pacing within Sparrows is well done. The slower portions echoing the time it takes to gain trust with those who are wounded. However, Nic, Luca's son, hits a crises near the end of the book, which becomes a major plot point when there wasn't the time to wrap it up nicely. This may be a stylistic vision of the author but I generally prefer books that allow themselves the time to end when the story is ready and not before hand.
All in all, this was a great novel and a fairly easy read. Given the right audience I would highly recommend this novel.
On the outside, Sierra and Luca are at opposite ends of life. One just beginning the world at her fingertips, the other reflecting on a life mostly gone. Yet, the bond of secrets, grief, and a love of learning tie these unlikely friends and their families together against the odds.
I'll confess I'm not one to pick a book on a whim these days. Life's too busy and too many recent whims have ended up a bust, especially within modern, Christian romance.
I was thoroughly surprised when I found myself eagerly tearing through Rachel Phifer's novel with eager anticipation and hope for a happy resolution for my two favourite characters.
Sierra is a young and brilliant high school student whose life is directed through her grief at her father's sudden and unexplained death.
Sierra was definitely a favourite character and a book highlight.
Having worked with youth and grieving families (Interesting summer job one summer) Phifer's portrayal of her grief at the multiple losses in her life (father, home, school, relationship with her mother) was believable and well written as revelations throughout the story moved Sierra through the rollercoaster of her grief and healing.
Luca, as the gruff older gentleman even his son doesn't trust was a surprising favourite of mine as the story progressed. As his life (love?) story is laid out I found myself more and more drawn to the man much like Sierra. Honestly, this became a huge point of connection in the story for me as a reader as Sierra's relationship begin to mirror the reader's entrance into Luca's life.
If you've read one of these before you know I don't like giving out major plot spoilers but my one beef with the story does tie in slightly. Most of the pacing within Sparrows is well done. The slower portions echoing the time it takes to gain trust with those who are wounded. However, Nic, Luca's son, hits a crises near the end of the book, which becomes a major plot point when there wasn't the time to wrap it up nicely. This may be a stylistic vision of the author but I generally prefer books that allow themselves the time to end when the story is ready and not before hand.
All in all, this was a great novel and a fairly easy read. Given the right audience I would highly recommend this novel.
September 14, 2013
OK, I really liked this book. I picked up the Kindle edition on a whim, because the synopsis sounded kind of interesting, but it isn't really the kind of book I normally read. Having said that, I really like this book. A hurting teenager finds a caring teacher and a grumpy old Romanian man. Misunderstanding and healing follow.
The pacing was great, there was a real danger of this book bogging down, but it just flew along. The revelations were where they needed to be, and it was easy to care about the characters. Who wouldn't love Luca?
Great book, read it.
The pacing was great, there was a real danger of this book bogging down, but it just flew along. The revelations were where they needed to be, and it was easy to care about the characters. Who wouldn't love Luca?
Great book, read it.
January 28, 2015
This is a book that is hard to put down. The well developed characters dive into your heart and soul to take you on a journey of loss, discovery, pain, sorrow, but most of all the discovery of survival of love and the joy of living and loving and learning to find faith and trust again through the pain.
It helped me discover depths within myself I did not know I had. It gave me confirmation and affirmation for areas of my own life I had struggled with. I laughed, sobbed, and cried with joy in the reading of this story.
This is a book that is worthy of your time and will give much in return for the time spent submerged in the pages between the covers.
It helped me discover depths within myself I did not know I had. It gave me confirmation and affirmation for areas of my own life I had struggled with. I laughed, sobbed, and cried with joy in the reading of this story.
This is a book that is worthy of your time and will give much in return for the time spent submerged in the pages between the covers.
January 6, 2021
I enjoyed this book and found I became emotionally engaged with the characters. Love, hate, frustration, anger. At one level I found it an improbable story but at times it also seemed a possibility. Some things were a stretch of the imagination such as the rescue from under the bridge in the flood. It lost me somewhat because I am not a fan of Christin literature and the scenario of the prostration for the day turned me off.
August 30, 2013
April Wright keeps a tragic secret from her teenage daughter, Sierra, about the manner in which her father died. She believes her devastated daughter would crumple beneath the weight of it. Grieving Sierra shuns everyone except for one person who seems a strange choice of companion, an elderly widower, Luca Prodan, who shares her fascination with literature and languages. While April tries to figure out whether this strange friendship should be encouraged, she doesn't expect to develop feelings for Luca's son Nick, a teacher at Sierra's school. And she discovers that the relationship between father and son is even more tricky and tenuous than that between her and her daughter. Will helping Luca and Nick to forge a new bond spill over to help her and Sierra too?
This is a deep and soul-searching book with great, sensitive themes and characters. It delves with so much compassion into the subjects of depression and emotional scars from the past. I loved Luca and Nick and found it easy to relate to April. At first, her staunchly positive behaviour seemed a great thing, and it refreshed me to read how it could be a liability as much as an asset.
For me, the fly in the ointment was Sierra. I got tired of her endless attitude of self-absorption. I know that it's common for kids her age, especially with a family tendency toward depression compounded by the grief about her dad, yet she was always 'me' focused. She breezed off without a thought about how her poor mother must be worried sick a few times too often. Never once did she stop to reflect that her mother must be grieving the loss of a husband as much as she grieved the loss of a father. And when she believed she caused Nick to be fired, her reaction, instead of sympathy for him, was, 'Oh no, I've stuffed up again.' Me, me, me. And even toward the end, her comment, "How could he just walk away from ME (instead of 'us') was irritating. The fragile genius thing had definitely worn a bit thin.
I found myself wondering how she would react if somebody gave her a good, wake-up scolding and drew her self-focus to her attention, but I never got the chance to find out. She was right in her opinion that everyone pussy-footed around her, careful to build her up and never set her off, but she'd created that for herself. I might have given this book 5 stars if not for this aspect, but it was still a great read.
And having said this, there was so much thoughtful material about the nature of the most effective education for individuals that I wanted to cheer. As a homeschooling mother, I've read many text books about the subject, but seeing the issues played out in the predicaments of characters we care for packs a very powerful punch. I'd urge anyone who is interested in the subject of suiting curriculum to individuals to read this.
This is a deep and soul-searching book with great, sensitive themes and characters. It delves with so much compassion into the subjects of depression and emotional scars from the past. I loved Luca and Nick and found it easy to relate to April. At first, her staunchly positive behaviour seemed a great thing, and it refreshed me to read how it could be a liability as much as an asset.
For me, the fly in the ointment was Sierra. I got tired of her endless attitude of self-absorption. I know that it's common for kids her age, especially with a family tendency toward depression compounded by the grief about her dad, yet she was always 'me' focused. She breezed off without a thought about how her poor mother must be worried sick a few times too often. Never once did she stop to reflect that her mother must be grieving the loss of a husband as much as she grieved the loss of a father. And when she believed she caused Nick to be fired, her reaction, instead of sympathy for him, was, 'Oh no, I've stuffed up again.' Me, me, me. And even toward the end, her comment, "How could he just walk away from ME (instead of 'us') was irritating. The fragile genius thing had definitely worn a bit thin.
I found myself wondering how she would react if somebody gave her a good, wake-up scolding and drew her self-focus to her attention, but I never got the chance to find out. She was right in her opinion that everyone pussy-footed around her, careful to build her up and never set her off, but she'd created that for herself. I might have given this book 5 stars if not for this aspect, but it was still a great read.
And having said this, there was so much thoughtful material about the nature of the most effective education for individuals that I wanted to cheer. As a homeschooling mother, I've read many text books about the subject, but seeing the issues played out in the predicaments of characters we care for packs a very powerful punch. I'd urge anyone who is interested in the subject of suiting curriculum to individuals to read this.
August 21, 2013
I'm going to start with "THIS BOOK IS BEAUTIFUL!" I love the story, I love the characters, I love the language, I love everything about it!
Then again, this book has a polyglot for a protagonist. I wish I was a polyglot (I can only speak 3.5 languages, sadly). Well, even though she picks up languages at an astonishing pace, Sierra is this quiet withdrawn girl. One day, she makes friends with a cranky old man with a past and launches the whole book into motion.
Sierra's mom, April is the forever-cheerful, optimistic sort of person who is desperately trying to hold it together. Her cheerfulness just masks how tenuously everything is holding together, and well, she needs to let her sadness show.
The cranky old man is called Luca, and he was imprisoned in Romania. By a stroke of coincidence, his son, Nick/Nicu is a teacher at Sierra's school. And he's not just a teacher, he is one of those teachers that believe in his students and uses unconventional methods to get them back on track. Unfortunately, that puts him at war with the school's new principal.
From this four characters comes multiple plots (Sierra and Luca, April and Luca, April and Nick, Nick and Luca, etc). The interaction of two characters forms a different plots, with everything coming together to one lovely conclusion. Actually, I didn't notice how many plots there were until I tried to count them, then I realised that each interaction was its own story.
All in all, a lovely book. I recommend it to everybody!
Disclaimer: I got a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a free and honest review.
This review was first posted to Inside the mind of a Bibliophile
Then again, this book has a polyglot for a protagonist. I wish I was a polyglot (I can only speak 3.5 languages, sadly). Well, even though she picks up languages at an astonishing pace, Sierra is this quiet withdrawn girl. One day, she makes friends with a cranky old man with a past and launches the whole book into motion.
Sierra's mom, April is the forever-cheerful, optimistic sort of person who is desperately trying to hold it together. Her cheerfulness just masks how tenuously everything is holding together, and well, she needs to let her sadness show.
The cranky old man is called Luca, and he was imprisoned in Romania. By a stroke of coincidence, his son, Nick/Nicu is a teacher at Sierra's school. And he's not just a teacher, he is one of those teachers that believe in his students and uses unconventional methods to get them back on track. Unfortunately, that puts him at war with the school's new principal.
From this four characters comes multiple plots (Sierra and Luca, April and Luca, April and Nick, Nick and Luca, etc). The interaction of two characters forms a different plots, with everything coming together to one lovely conclusion. Actually, I didn't notice how many plots there were until I tried to count them, then I realised that each interaction was its own story.
All in all, a lovely book. I recommend it to everybody!
Disclaimer: I got a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a free and honest review.
This review was first posted to Inside the mind of a Bibliophile
August 2, 2013
The Language of Sparrow
This is such a touching story. I don't think I have read another that had such a package of hurts to deal with. It is a little depressing in the beginning. But that is the presentation of each character's past and wilting hope for the future. In the end you learn one truth -- God is beside us holding our hand while we stumble through our life. There is no need for your spirit to be down and depressed.
Luca's life is a short version of so many other Romanians, Moldavians, Russians and other USSR Countries citizen's that were unfortunate to live during that period of time. Comunists weren't cruel they were diabolic beasts that ruined one too many lives, each very precious.
But then I think of the eternity and I realize that the joke was on them, and I pity them.
But the book isn't just about Luca, its about April, who wanted to paint rainbow in the sky, its about Sierra that had a genius mind, its about a boy Carlos who dared to love her, and its about Nicolae who like them all lived with consequences of other people's choices.
How do you live your life? Do you, like a sparrow, sing the same song whether you are happy or depressed? Do you realize that each choice you take is affecting everyone in your life and not just you? Do you realize that depression isn't a disease but a choice?
This book shouldn't be a fiction, it has too much truth in it.
Disclaimer: I got a free copy of this book from David C Cook Publisher through NetGalley.com in exchange for my honest opinion.
This is such a touching story. I don't think I have read another that had such a package of hurts to deal with. It is a little depressing in the beginning. But that is the presentation of each character's past and wilting hope for the future. In the end you learn one truth -- God is beside us holding our hand while we stumble through our life. There is no need for your spirit to be down and depressed.
Luca's life is a short version of so many other Romanians, Moldavians, Russians and other USSR Countries citizen's that were unfortunate to live during that period of time. Comunists weren't cruel they were diabolic beasts that ruined one too many lives, each very precious.
But then I think of the eternity and I realize that the joke was on them, and I pity them.
But the book isn't just about Luca, its about April, who wanted to paint rainbow in the sky, its about Sierra that had a genius mind, its about a boy Carlos who dared to love her, and its about Nicolae who like them all lived with consequences of other people's choices.
How do you live your life? Do you, like a sparrow, sing the same song whether you are happy or depressed? Do you realize that each choice you take is affecting everyone in your life and not just you? Do you realize that depression isn't a disease but a choice?
This book shouldn't be a fiction, it has too much truth in it.
Disclaimer: I got a free copy of this book from David C Cook Publisher through NetGalley.com in exchange for my honest opinion.
October 28, 2013
If you've been a follower of this book review blog for any amount of time you know I'm not a huge modern day fiction girl. I love historical fiction. It's pretty rare for a modern day book to grab my attention. Enter The Language of Sparrows I was hooked in the first page and read for hours finishing the book in a day. Welcome new author Rachel Phifer! Phifer wrote a captivating and deep book. Way to go!
Sierra is precious and I loved her. She was both strong and odd and unique, in all the good ways. April gets a bit annoying with her seeming lack of involvement but once you get to know her story you quickly understand why. There is a bit of a romance that takes place between Luca's son Nic and April, beware. It's super sweet.
Luca will capture your heart, break it, and then put it back together. He's a well rounded and deep character. As he tells his story you are transported back to Romania 30 years before. It's historical and shocking.
In short, I loved this book. It has enough layers I just might read it again. I highly recommend it and tip my hat to this new author. I'm already looking for her next book!
Sierra is precious and I loved her. She was both strong and odd and unique, in all the good ways. April gets a bit annoying with her seeming lack of involvement but once you get to know her story you quickly understand why. There is a bit of a romance that takes place between Luca's son Nic and April, beware. It's super sweet.
Luca will capture your heart, break it, and then put it back together. He's a well rounded and deep character. As he tells his story you are transported back to Romania 30 years before. It's historical and shocking.
In short, I loved this book. It has enough layers I just might read it again. I highly recommend it and tip my hat to this new author. I'm already looking for her next book!
July 10, 2013
This book brought me to tears more times than I could count. It is a beautiful story of overcoming sorrow. Fifteen year old Sierra cannot even remember her father who died two years earlier. Why is that? Why is it that an old man in her neighborhood is her only friend? Sierra, her mother, Luca, and his son Nick, and Sierra's mother all have issues to work through. Together, with some prayer, in this beautiful novel they do that. I got this book free to preview from Netgalley. I found it amazing and I highly recommend it.
July 26, 2013
This book was recommended to me and I am so glad I read it. A brilliant teen girl who is hurting over the death of her father meets an OLD man who is hurting from the loss of his wife and for all intents his son.
They are drawn to each other through their pain and love of words, books & languages.
There are a lot of mistakes & misunderstandings (especially by the adults) but a well written book that shows that life is not perfect...but can be happy and enjoyed.
They are drawn to each other through their pain and love of words, books & languages.
There are a lot of mistakes & misunderstandings (especially by the adults) but a well written book that shows that life is not perfect...but can be happy and enjoyed.
September 3, 2013
I can't stop thinking about this book - the characters became a part of my life for a few days and I continue to think about them. I love the way Rachel developed the independent storyline for each of the characters but also had them all blend in such a beautiful way.
You should read this book!
You should read this book!
July 15, 2013
Beautifully written story that describes loss, heartache, the devastation of mental illness, and how difficult it is to forgive ourselves.
December 30, 2015
I don't give a lot of five star reviews. This one deserves it. Beautiful, insightful, an inspiring look into some difficult issues.
February 13, 2020
I could not wait for my reading time each day. Going through a hard time in my life with very serious genetic illness. This story inspired me . I related to April. Most of life showing great smiles and acting happy all the time stuffing my fears and hurts. I have realized and now experiencing letting the people in my life know how much they have meant to me. And my importantly realized God has been with me in every hardship and every hurt. Like the sparrow when he falls God has blown the wind to catch me. Each character in this book has so much to teach each and everyone of us. It brings hope for ourselves. It shows great happiness in the end. I encourage anyone to read this book. It reminded me as the bible verse says.....Nothing is impossible with God.
June 5, 2021
There’s a lot of good writing in this book, more than I expected. The character of Sierra Wright was very intriguing, as well as the relationship she builds with the old man, Luca. Sierra’s mother, April, appears to have some kind of Christian faith, but as the story progresses, we realize that she has adopted a false cheeriness instead of a true trust in God’s providence. Luca’s son is a teacher at Sierra’s school and realizes that because of Sierra’s genius, she has particular intellectual and emotional needs that aren’t being met at the school. Luca has a past involving prison time in Romania that has somehow made for an awkward and angry relationship with his son. April is a widow and can’t make herself tell Sierra the truth about how her father died. Secrets abound and no one is going to find redemption or healing until some of the walls come down and the truth comes out. There were some frustrating moments for me as a reader with April and her continual and illogical pushing away of Luca’s son (whose name I have forgotten - sorry).
August 22, 2018
This is a novel about pain, loss, and the healing power of faith, friendship & love. The characters are poignant & rich. Luca, Nick, April, Sierra & Carlos’ stories are all intertwined. I became entrenched in their lives & couldn’t wait to find out what happened next. I recommend this book for hIgh school ages and above as the characters are grieving, some from the loss of a loved one & Luca from being in prison as a young father. All the main characters in the story are good people having suffered due to circumstances outside their control. This would be a great book club read.
September 12, 2019
I found this read difficult to slip into at first. The first few pages are lovely but I felt some areas frayed...not developed enough and so I dropped it for a day. After resuming, it lit up. Everything made sense.
Overall, I found it quite lovely. Mr Prodan, Carlos, Nick, Sierra and April are beautiful characters. Sierra was difficult to grasp and like at times but I also get it.
Nick's students at the end had me tearing up.
A lovely and fresh read. One of my favourites because it has to do with books, unlikely friendships and healing.
Thank you for writing this.
Overall, I found it quite lovely. Mr Prodan, Carlos, Nick, Sierra and April are beautiful characters. Sierra was difficult to grasp and like at times but I also get it.
Nick's students at the end had me tearing up.
A lovely and fresh read. One of my favourites because it has to do with books, unlikely friendships and healing.
Thank you for writing this.
September 9, 2018
A very well-written, engaging, enjoyable book!
I appreciated getting a glimpse into diverse cultures as well as lifestyles. The author did well in navigating the characters' trials and challenges without making the tone of the book dark or depressing. You come away with a sense of hope and reminder in facing life's ups and downs with the Lord's help. An uplifting read!
I appreciated getting a glimpse into diverse cultures as well as lifestyles. The author did well in navigating the characters' trials and challenges without making the tone of the book dark or depressing. You come away with a sense of hope and reminder in facing life's ups and downs with the Lord's help. An uplifting read!
April 9, 2019
Could not put the book down
I started this awesome book and didn't stop until I had read it all. A story of sadness, strength, courage, truth and trust. Incredible from the 1st chapter to the last word. A story of hope and forgiveness. Loved it. Please continue to write your stories, Rachel Phifer.
I started this awesome book and didn't stop until I had read it all. A story of sadness, strength, courage, truth and trust. Incredible from the 1st chapter to the last word. A story of hope and forgiveness. Loved it. Please continue to write your stories, Rachel Phifer.
October 6, 2017
Thanks for letting me go on with hope
Do you ever wonder why things happen,a chance meeting or sudden feel as if you were here before. Wonder, wish, prayers all wrapped up in the pages of this book. I was charmed. I have a feeling you will be too.
Do you ever wonder why things happen,a chance meeting or sudden feel as if you were here before. Wonder, wish, prayers all wrapped up in the pages of this book. I was charmed. I have a feeling you will be too.
February 15, 2024
Must read!!
Fabulous!! Everything about this book was sensational. Beautiful story, great detail, fantastic character development, plenty of twists and turns, real emotion. I might even read it again!
Fabulous!! Everything about this book was sensational. Beautiful story, great detail, fantastic character development, plenty of twists and turns, real emotion. I might even read it again!
December 1, 2013
Also posted to Jen in Bookland
4.75 stars
The Language of Sparrows was a beautiful book. Heartbreaking at times, but also full of hope and just really a great story. I wasn't expecting it, so this book really surprised me. There may be some spoilers ahead as I talk about the story.
The book opens with Sierra and her mom. Sierra is fading away, trying to disappear into nothing so no one will notice her. She barely talks as she cannot find the right words, but she is incredibly smart. She starts hanging out with Luca as he makes her feel normal and safe to be herself, and he seems to enjoy her company as well. He is an older man, looks like a grandfather, and I thought it was great that she has a new friend. Then her mom finds out, and someone tells the school that Sierra is hanging out at Luca's and the police and child protective services and everyone gets involved and decides she cannot visit him any more. I really thought is this what would really happen? A teenager cannot be friends with an old guy? It just seemed blown way out of proportion, but maybe in this day and age that would be the response. Maybe because the old man is not super friendly or anything to neighbors...he keeps to himself as well. They go so well together and it was really heartbreaking watching Sierra try and still stay close to Luca even though she is not aloud to see him. I just wanted to shake her mom and be like look! He is actually helping her! Why won't you let her see her friend? You have met him now, he seems harmless, she needs this!
Sierra does find one friend, Carlos. Really Carlos won't leave her alone, so he keeps trying to get her to talk and open up. He was so nice and it was so great to see someone her own age try and be there for her. Yes she doesn't open up easily, but eventually they get close.
Her mom, April, has a lot of secrets she is keeping. Secrets about Sierra's fathers death. You see how she is trying to be happy and positive and do whatever she can to help Sierra, but at the same time she sees Sierra as week and that she cannot handle anything. Her sister keeps telling her she needs to be honest with Sierra in order for Sierra to move on and get better, but April just can't. Really she has issues with his death that she needs to deal with first. She is just as broken, but better at pretending that everything is okay. Well maybe not better since I think people can tell, but she tries harder to pretend that everything is okay. Sierra just pulls into herself and tries to keep everyone out.
Then there is also Nick. At first I wasn't sure what to make of him, but as the story went you can't help but feel for him as well. Really all the main characters, expect Carlos, you can't help but want to help. They all have demons in their past that they have not dealt with yet. They all have things that they need someone to call them on and make them talk about. They all have issues to resolve. I just want to gather all of them up and fix everything for them. Of course it is not that easy.
The story is so heartbreaking in so many ways. All of the characters just pull you in and you cannot help but care about them. The horrible things that have happened in the past, especially Luca, are just so sad. One of the worst moment though is when Sierra finds out the truth about her dad. She tracks down someone that knew him since her mom would not talk about him. Then Sierra just breaks. She then starts acting like her mom, trying desperately to pretend like she is okay. Carlos calls her out on turning plastic as he says, and she just smiles her fake smile, speaks her fake words, lives her fake life. It was so tragic I just wanted to scoop her up and fix everything her. I hated watching her go through that distress. It was just so sad and I couldn't help but feel so much for her.
Eventually things do work out, and the end is more positive than the rest of the book which is nice. The whole story though it just kind of intense. Definitely a downer, with a hopeful ending. There is also a religious aspect to it, but it does not seem like a religious book. It is a book where the characters are deeply religious, but not a book that try to make the reader religious (if that makes sense). I have read other books where the characters go on about God and such, and it seems aimed at the audience. Even though bible passages came up a lot, and the characters spoke to God or prayed often, I never felt it directed at me. I just felt like this was the path these characters were on and this is what they had to do to try and get through their hardships. It was nice to see the author could include all of that and not make it preachy.
Overall this was a beautifully written sad story with a light at the end. So good and so much better than I thought it would be based on the synopsis. I am just so glad things worked out for Sierra in the end. I know I have said it before, but it was really heartbreaking to read her story. I finished it last night and I am still just want to grab her up and give her all the hugs and make everything okay. Wonderful story.
4.75 stars
The Language of Sparrows was a beautiful book. Heartbreaking at times, but also full of hope and just really a great story. I wasn't expecting it, so this book really surprised me. There may be some spoilers ahead as I talk about the story.
The book opens with Sierra and her mom. Sierra is fading away, trying to disappear into nothing so no one will notice her. She barely talks as she cannot find the right words, but she is incredibly smart. She starts hanging out with Luca as he makes her feel normal and safe to be herself, and he seems to enjoy her company as well. He is an older man, looks like a grandfather, and I thought it was great that she has a new friend. Then her mom finds out, and someone tells the school that Sierra is hanging out at Luca's and the police and child protective services and everyone gets involved and decides she cannot visit him any more. I really thought is this what would really happen? A teenager cannot be friends with an old guy? It just seemed blown way out of proportion, but maybe in this day and age that would be the response. Maybe because the old man is not super friendly or anything to neighbors...he keeps to himself as well. They go so well together and it was really heartbreaking watching Sierra try and still stay close to Luca even though she is not aloud to see him. I just wanted to shake her mom and be like look! He is actually helping her! Why won't you let her see her friend? You have met him now, he seems harmless, she needs this!
Sierra does find one friend, Carlos. Really Carlos won't leave her alone, so he keeps trying to get her to talk and open up. He was so nice and it was so great to see someone her own age try and be there for her. Yes she doesn't open up easily, but eventually they get close.
Her mom, April, has a lot of secrets she is keeping. Secrets about Sierra's fathers death. You see how she is trying to be happy and positive and do whatever she can to help Sierra, but at the same time she sees Sierra as week and that she cannot handle anything. Her sister keeps telling her she needs to be honest with Sierra in order for Sierra to move on and get better, but April just can't. Really she has issues with his death that she needs to deal with first. She is just as broken, but better at pretending that everything is okay. Well maybe not better since I think people can tell, but she tries harder to pretend that everything is okay. Sierra just pulls into herself and tries to keep everyone out.
Then there is also Nick. At first I wasn't sure what to make of him, but as the story went you can't help but feel for him as well. Really all the main characters, expect Carlos, you can't help but want to help. They all have demons in their past that they have not dealt with yet. They all have things that they need someone to call them on and make them talk about. They all have issues to resolve. I just want to gather all of them up and fix everything for them. Of course it is not that easy.
The story is so heartbreaking in so many ways. All of the characters just pull you in and you cannot help but care about them. The horrible things that have happened in the past, especially Luca, are just so sad. One of the worst moment though is when Sierra finds out the truth about her dad. She tracks down someone that knew him since her mom would not talk about him. Then Sierra just breaks. She then starts acting like her mom, trying desperately to pretend like she is okay. Carlos calls her out on turning plastic as he says, and she just smiles her fake smile, speaks her fake words, lives her fake life. It was so tragic I just wanted to scoop her up and fix everything her. I hated watching her go through that distress. It was just so sad and I couldn't help but feel so much for her.
Eventually things do work out, and the end is more positive than the rest of the book which is nice. The whole story though it just kind of intense. Definitely a downer, with a hopeful ending. There is also a religious aspect to it, but it does not seem like a religious book. It is a book where the characters are deeply religious, but not a book that try to make the reader religious (if that makes sense). I have read other books where the characters go on about God and such, and it seems aimed at the audience. Even though bible passages came up a lot, and the characters spoke to God or prayed often, I never felt it directed at me. I just felt like this was the path these characters were on and this is what they had to do to try and get through their hardships. It was nice to see the author could include all of that and not make it preachy.
Overall this was a beautifully written sad story with a light at the end. So good and so much better than I thought it would be based on the synopsis. I am just so glad things worked out for Sierra in the end. I know I have said it before, but it was really heartbreaking to read her story. I finished it last night and I am still just want to grab her up and give her all the hugs and make everything okay. Wonderful story.
February 4, 2018
Well written...considering two unlikely characters.
September 30, 2018
I loved this book. The characters are beautifully defined. Suffering and pain are lined with love and hope. Wonderful book!
March 5, 2019
Connected
I felt so connected with her characters. I've re-read / twice and will again and again. Beautiful story with characters you are friends with
I felt so connected with her characters. I've re-read / twice and will again and again. Beautiful story with characters you are friends with
February 10, 2020
A very lovely story.
April 6, 2020
It is a wonderful book. I enjoyed it very much.
October 10, 2020
Very moving book. The characters are deep and thoughtfully portrayed. The relationships are unusual and encouraging.
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