NZ Intermediate School Librarians discussion

The story starts with 14 year old Sparrow on a hospital psych ward - she was found on a rooftop at her school in what everyone thinks was a suicide attempt. Sparrow is released from hospital on the condition that she sees a therapist, Dr Katz. We learn that Sparrow is exceptionally shy, anxious and lonely. She has never had a friend. School has been torture for Sparrow but up until recently she had the refuge of the school library - the librarian Mrs Wexler was the only person at school that she made some sort of connection with. But now Mrs Wexler is gone. Sparrow wasn't trying to kill herself on the roof but cannot explain to anyone what she really was doing on the roof - but eventually she reveals her secret to Dr Katz. Now Sparrow, with the help of Dr Katz, can learn how to deal with her feelings of anxiety and isolation. This is a real struggle for Sparrow. She makes some progress but misses several opportunities to make friends because she just won't talk to people. She then faces the huge challenge of attending a summer Rock Camp for Girls. Will a shared love of music help her to talk to other girls and actually make some friends? Engrossing story, deals with the difficult subject of mental illness with honesty and empathy. I picked this book up at our Scholastic Book Fair - and I'm pleased I did. It has been my favourite read these holidays.