Synopses & Reviews
YOUNG ADULT FICTION $16.95
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 Garnets life all planned out: after finishing high school, shell 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 expectsin a growing relationship with a beautiful and daring flapper, Isabella.
So begins the most important summer of Garnets life. Caught between her familys expectations and her own newfound passions, she must decide whose dreams to follow. Can she seize the freedom she so admires in birds?
Molly Beth Griffin is a graduate of Hamline Universitys MFA program in writing for children and a teacher at the Loft Literary Center. She is the author of a picture book, Loon Baby. Silhouette of a Sparrow is her first novel for young adults. She lives in Minneapolis.
Review
"Rich with emotion and loaded with fascinating details of the flapper era,
Silhouette of a Sparrow is a wonderful novel about independence and first love." — Marsha Qualey, author of
Come in From the Cold and
Just Like ThatReview
"
Silhouette of a Sparrowis a stunning book, a historical novel that features a girl-who-loves-girls protagonist, a triumph from start to finish."
Sarah Diemer, Muse Rising
"The coming-of-age story features a thoughtful protagonist with a gentle voice. Opulent setting descriptions complement interesting historical detail and beautiful language. The motif of different bird species to begin each chapter serves as a neat structural metaphor for various characters in the story (not unlike Annie Proulx's knots in The Shipping News). Garnet's feminist and environmental concerns are relevant for a young contemporary audience without feeling anachronistic to the narrative."
Jackie Reitzes, Minneapolis Star Tribune
"Beautiful...unique story"
McNally Jackson Kids, online
"An immensely charming short novel
. Griffin perfectly captures the mood of America in the twentiesprohibition, first wave feminism, ongoing and virulent racism, the class war at one of its many peaks and it is this that pushes Silhouette to be more than just a coming of age romance novel, but an example of historical fiction at its most vivid
. Well-researched and beautifully lyrical, her slightest nuances and atmospheric shiftsstifling, sticky heat; the smell of rain, promising; the cling of smoke to fabric; the curl of craft paper in a flamecaptivate, inspire, and evoke that sense of longing and lust that perfectly encapsulate the rush of first love. And it is not just love, but Garnets growth as an individual, which makes Silhouette of a Sparrow a compelling and unique summer read. "
Lisa Harrison, Vada Magazine
"A very quick and enjoyable read. It gave me a glimpse into a period of time that I was unfamiliar with, and had a range of engaging characters and a believable storyline."
The Lesbrary
"A lovely, bittersweet and quiet coming of age story. It brilliantly combines its vivid historical setting which has been meticulously researched by the author (as per the author notes in the end) , Garnet love for ornithology with a story about growth and about falling in love...a very enjoyable, gratifying read. I recommend it."
Ana, The Book Smugglers blog
"Griffin speaks to the heart of [adolescent] yearnings and turmoil and challenges. She understands they want to be seen, they want to be uniquely themselves, they want to challenge and push societal norms they may find outdated or irrelevant, but they so often want to figure out how to do these things within the context of the world around them.... [The book] had me cheering to the very end. Silhouette of a Sparrow is well-written with a lovely setting, and gives its readers fresh, unique variations on a typical coming of age story."
Lovely Bookshelf blog
"A sweet, quiet coming-of-age story set in a Prohibition-era lakeside resort....This slim tale is a positive breath of fresh air in a market bloated with opportunistic dystopian and paranormal romances. (Historical fiction. 14 and up)"
Kirkus Reviews
"Tenderly and touchingly realized...a pleasant and diverting read. "
Michael Cart, Booklist
"Picture book author Griffins (Loon Baby) 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. Ages 12up."
Publishers Weekly
"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. Take flight with Garnet by reading and undoubtedly enjoying the telling of her story."
Lydia Harris, Lambda Literary
"Rich with emotion and loaded with fascinating details of the flapper era, Silhouette of a Sparrow is a wonderful novel about independence and first love."
Marsha Qualey, author of Come in from the Cold and Just Like That
"Like the birds that young Garnet catalogs and cuts out in paper silhouettes, Molly Beth Griffins feisty narrator leaves her fledgling self behind as she spreads her wings and learns to fly. Rich in period detail, Griffin links past to present in a compelling novel that is both a love story and the tale of a budding ornithologist. Young readers will respond to Garnets need to heal her broken family, even as she struggles to follow her dreams. A fine debut novel!"
Liza Ketchum, author of Newsgirl and Where the Great Hawk Flies
Praise for Loon Baby
This lovely picture book addresses a child's fear of abandonment and offers the reassurance of a mother's love.”
Booklist
Guaranteed to hit the mark with anyone who's ever felt lost and alone.”
Kirkus
While understated, the story has a sturdy quality that should stand up to repeated read-alouds.”
Publishers Weekly
This gentle story of a young bird's fears of being abandoned by an out-of-sight parent offers reassurance to children in a similar situation.”
School Library Journal
...lyrical narrative...”
Hornbook Guide to Children
Synopsis
In the summer of 1926, sixteen-year-old Garnet Richardson is sent to a lake resort to escape the polio epidemic in the city. She dreams of indulging her passion for ornithology and visiting the famous new amusement park--a summer of fun before she returns for her final year of high school, after which shes expected to marry a nice boy and settle into middle-class homemaking. But in the country, Garnet finds herself under the supervision of equally oppressive guardians--her fathers wealthy cousin and the matrons stuck-up daughter. Only a liberating job in a hat shop, an intense, secret relationship with a daring and beautiful flapper, and a deep faith in her own fierce heart can save her from the suffocating boredom of traditional femininity.
Silhouette of a Sparrow is a coming-of-age story about a search for wildness in a confining time, and a simultaneous quest for security in an era full of unrest. It is the tale of a young womans discovery of the science of risk and the art of rebellion, and of course, the power of unexpected love.
Synopsis
I was born blue. Life ripped me early from my safe place and thrust me into the world. It was all so astonishing that I forgot to breathe. My mother gave me life that day, but I was the one who decided to take it. I claimed it for myself.”
from Silhouette of a Sparrow
Like the birds that young Garnet catalogs and cuts out in paper silhouettes, Molly Beth Griffins feisty narrator leaves her fledgling self behind as she spreads her wings and learns to fly. Rich in period detail, Griffin links past to present in a compelling novel that is both a love story and the tale of a budding ornithologist. Young readers will respond to Garnets need to heal her broken family, even as she struggles to follow her dreams. A fine debut novel!”
Liza Ketchum, author of Newsgirl and Where the Great Hawk Flies
Rich with emotion and loaded with fascinating details of the flapper era, Silhouette of a Sparrow is a wonderful novel about independence and first love.”
Marsha Qualey, author of Come in from the Cold and Just Like That
Synopsis
WINNER OF THE MILKWEED PRIZE FOR CHILDREN'S LITERATURE
WINNER OF THE 2013 PATERSON PRIZE FOR BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS
ALA RAINBOW LIST RECOMMENDED BOOK
AMELIA BLOOMER PROJECT LIST RECOMMENDED BOOK
LAMBDA LITERARY AWARD FINALIST
MINNESOTA BOOK AWARD FINALIST
FOREWARD REVIEWS BOOK OF THE YEAR HONORABLE MENTION
In the summer of 1926, sixteen-year-old Garnet Richardson is sent to a lake resort to escape the polio epidemic in the city. She dreams of indulging her passion for ornithology and visiting the famous new amusement park--a summer of fun before she returns for her final year of high school, after which shes expected to marry a nice boy and settle into middle-class homemaking. But in the country, Garnet finds herself under the supervision of equally oppressive guardians--her fathers wealthy cousin and the matrons stuck-up daughter. Only a liberating job in a hat shop, an intense, secret relationship with a daring and beautiful flapper, and a deep faith in her own fierce heart can save her from the suffocating boredom of traditional femininity.
About the Author
Molly Beth Griffin is the recipient of a Minnesota State Arts Grant, a graduate of Hamline University's MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults, and a writing teacher at the Loft Literary Center in the Twin Cities. Her first picture book, Loon Baby, came out with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in 2011. Silhouette of a Sparrow is her first novel.