Birdspell
Author: Valerie Sherrard
Publisher: Cormorant Books
Corbin Hayes has felt alone for as long as he can remember. His mom’s illness means lost jobs, constant moves, new schools and friendships that never get to grow. There’s a gap in his life that’s been waiting to be filled. So, when a classmate offers Corbin the talking bird she can no longer keep, he’s stoked. But when things begin to spiral out of control, Corbin can no longer get his mom – or himself – through the dark period. At his lowest moment, he’s forced to do the one thing he fears the most.
Corbin’s mother is bi-polar, his father’s job keeps him out of touch in far-flung countries, and for as long as Corbin can remember, he has had to watch warily and weather his mother’s severe ups and downs. During her bad times, it means no food in the house, and being evicted from whatever apartment they’re in. Now he has Sitta, a talking bird, to care for. Sitta listens to him and gives him something to focus on when things get rough. But its former owner wants weekly visiting rights, and Corbin can’t afford to let anyone see how he’s living.
Another thing I don’t do is make friends, which I realize makes me sound antisocial. I’m not. I just don’t want anyone asking questions, noticing things or inviting me places I can’t afford to go, which is basically anywhere that costs money. Besides the potential for prying, there’s just no point starting friendships that will only last as long as it takes for us to get kicked out of our apartment. Then Mom wants out of that neighborhood altogether, which is never a problem in a city this size. I’ve hinted more than a few times that I wouldn’t mind finishing a full year at the same school, but every time we’ve relocated it’s been far enough to make that impossible. So I don’t start things, I avoid them. In most cases I will walk away from trouble even if it makes me look like a gutless wimp.Sitta keeps the novel from dipping into too much sadness. Sitta serves as a good listener, which also allows the protagonist to communicate his situation to the reader.
Mom is a bit like a balloon — floating along peacefully for a while and then, as if someone stuck a pin into her — flying around like mad until she lands face down on the floor, limp and deflated… I was watching out the window when they took her. They had Mom strapped to a stretcher and it bothered me for a long time, thinking about her being tied down. I didn’t know until a lot later they secure all patients that way, to keep them safe.
Of course, this friend and some neighbours end up helping him, only after he realizes he needs to accept help. While the story provides valuable insight into children living with mentally unstable family members, it works a little over-hard at accomplishing this, with long descriptive pages getting the point across at the expense of the book’s pacing. Despite slowing down too much in places, it offers authentic characters you care a lot about and a strong plot. In short, Birdspell is a strong read and an important contribution to middle grade/young adult reading.
- P.W.