Sparrow Being Sparrow

Written by Gail Donovan · Illustrated by Elysia Case

Book #1 in the Sparrow series

A young girl must find homes for seven cats, discovering her own place in a new town.

5.3/7 Bookroo expert·3.9/5 Goodreads · 141 ratings

192 pages· 28,987 words· Est. 4 hour read· ~620L

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Sparrow Robinson, a lively fourth grader, faces the challenge of rehoming her neighbor's seven cats after Mrs. LaRose moves to assisted living. In a new town and school, Sparrow feels out of place, but her mission to help the cats might just lead her to find her own sense of belonging. As she navigates this quest, Sparrow learns about friendship, community, and the true meaning of home. Will she succeed in her mission and find her own place in this unfamiliar world?

From the publisher

An endearingly energetic fourth grader takes on the big job of finding new homes for her neighbor’s seven cats in this “uplifting” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) illustrated middle grade novel for fans of Patricia MacLachlan and Sharon Creech. Sparrow Robinson loves to dance and leap around. She loves cats. She has a million questions about the world, and she’s not afraid to ask them. But she’s just moved to a new town and a new school, and her busy parents have no time for her to get “carried away.” Suddenly, she feels totally out of place. Sparrow’s favorite thing in all this newness is her neighbor, Mrs. LaRose, who has seven cats and always has cookies and lemonade to share. But after Mrs. LaRose breaks her hip, she decides to move into assisted living–where the cats aren’t allowed! Sparrow has to help. Determined to find new homes for the cats, Sparrow forgets about her own troubles–but her quest just might be the key to Sparrow finding a home for herself in this town, too.

At a glance

Format
Pages: 192
Words: 28,987
Reading age: 7–10
Audience: Juvenile Reader
Lexile: ~620L

Themes & topics

Books about cats Books about responsibility Books about friendship Books about helping others Books about school

For the grown-ups

The parent guide

What families may want to know

Every family reads differently. These are the concepts our editors noticed in this book — worth seeking out for some readers, worth knowing about for others. The list isn't exhaustive, but it's a spoiler-light head start.

Potty Humor

This book includes one instance where kids say, "Cat poo stinks" in a silly voice (while holding their noses closed so what they said sounds funny).

Religious Leanings

This book contains multiple instances of church. The neighbors invite Sparrow's family to church, they attend church (and the classes are described), Sparrow attends practice for the children's choir, and there are a few instances of people praying throughout the book (saying grace).

Language

This book includes one instance of a student sharing a story about her cat bringing a dead mouse to her mom, which made her mom scream "a bad word," which was then repeated by the student's little brother. The bad word is not actually shared.

What readers & critics say