The Language of Sparrows

by Rachel Phifer
Publication Date: July 10, 2013
David C. Cook

Amazon Synopsis:

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.

My Thoughts:

The Language of Sparrows is a fascinating look at the relationships built between the members of two families. We learn their stories and struggles as their friendships develop. Their struggles have touched most of us in one way or another, either by direct experience or having a loved one who has experienced them. Depression, suicide, guilt, estrangement or misunderstanding between loved ones are some of the themes contained in this story. But the book is not depressing. It does not give us platitudes that we are told when bad things happen to us. This story teaches us that we have hope and we can heal if we learn to change the way we talk to ourselves, to our loved ones, and to God - we need to tell the truth.

I found this book to be very engaging and I wanted to keep reading to find out what would happen next. The characters were easy to identify with and very believable. Rachel Phifer has a way of writing that makes you feel like you are right there watching their every move. This is the first book I have read by Rachel Phifer, and I certainly will be looking for more of her works!

Disclaimer: I received a free review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts are my own.