Sparrow, written by Sarah Moon, reviewed by Amanda Davies

Summary: The book opens with Sparrow Cooke, the main character, in a hospital room. It's clear from the first page that she's there because the adults all believe that she attempted suicide. Sparrow insists, though, that she wasn't on the roof of the building because she was going to jump. But explaining why she was on the edge is harder to do without people thinking she's crazy. Throughout the story, eighth-grade Sparrow struggles with relating to her mom, being open with her therapist, coping with the loss of an important adult, finding her place as a Black girl, and accepting her mental health challenges. She finds solace in music and the birds with which she feels a special connection but discovers that those two things might not be enough to sustain her.

Straight Talk for Librarians: Because Moon deals with Sparrow's mental health in such a frank and open way, this book has the potential to really resonate with young people who have seen others struggle or are facing their own mental health challenges. It's a book that librarians will want to keep an eye on to ensure that students who read it have a sounding board for their reactions. Moon's emphasis on the power of therapy, the value of sharing your story, and the importance of friendships send all the right messages. While the book deals with difficult content, Moon does it in such a gentle and relatable way that there's no reason a seventh or eighth grader couldn't read this book. I was surprised, though, that there aren't resources included at the back for readers who might need to seek out a mental health professional, either for themselves or someone else. I also appreciated that Moon was intentional about making clear that Sparrow's missing father and her African American race are part of who she is but are not the focus of the story. Sparrow shares early on that her mother used a sperm donor because she wanted a baby but not a husband. "Don't look for some sad tale of the father figure I'm missing or how he left when blah, blah, blah (5)." Similarly, while Sparrow's race becomes and indicator of how she doesn't fit in, the book is not a story only about race and racism. When she's talking to her therapist, she says: "Girls like her don't like me. I read books and don't listen to Nicki Minaj. I'm 'stuck up' (110)." Moon tells a story where the main character is more than just her race or her absent father. If you are looking to add books to your collection that represent #ownvoices, however, Moon is White writing about a Black main character.

Librarians will especially appreciate the role that Mrs. Wexler, Sparrow's school librarian, plays in ensuring that Sparrow has a safe space at school. Sparrow feels seen by Mrs. Wexler in a way that other people, young and old alike, seem to miss. Mrs. Wexler is a testament to the power of the school librarian.