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Sparrow Road

3.83 of 5 stars 3.83 · rating details · 729 ratings · 171 reviews

It's the summer before seventh grade, and twelve-year- old Raine O'Rourke's mother suddenly takes a job hours from home at mysterious Sparrow Road- a creepy, dilapidated mansion that houses an eccentric group of artists. As Raine tries to make sense of her new surroundings, she forges friendships with a cast of quirky characters including the outrageous and funky Josie.

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Hardcover, 256 pages

Published May 12th 2011 by Putnam Juvenile

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Sep 04, 2011 Jeannette rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: family-stories, being-your-true-self, juv-fiction, 2011-read

This story is really sweet. The book blurb is a bit misleading. The creepy house feeling is so minor to the plot. It is really a story about family, love, missed opportunities and forgiveness. Three to four page chapters, well-written, a quick read. And, the author made the inhabitants of Sparrow Road, past and present, real people. I kept expecting a cliched ending to many of the plot twists, but it never happened. For a book aimed at middle-school readers, this is especially refreshing. And, t...more

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Jan 09, 2011 Laura rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-mt-bookpile

The jacket talks about the mystery of Sparrow Road, but the book is less about that than about Raine's transition from little girl to preteen. Sparrow Road was a mansion, then an orphanage, and is now a Yaddo-like artists residence (with rules like "no talking until dinner" and cabins for artistic creation). Raine isn't happy about being taken away from her Milwaukee home, less happy about the rules, and even less happy about Viktor and his mysterious relationship with Molly, Raine's mother.

Of c...more

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Mar 06, 2012 Ally rated it 5 of 5 stars

It’s the summer before seventh grade,and twelve-year-old Raine O’Rourke’s mother suddenly takes a job hours away from home at mysterious Sparrow Road. At first Raine thinks its a creepy,weird mansion that houses eccentric group of artists. While Raine’s mother works as a cook and housekeeper Raine is left to figure out why she had really come to Sparrow Road.
After being there for a week Raines is thinking of how much she misses her Grandpa Mac and Milwaukee terribly. Soon after she is there for...more

1 like · like · see review

Feb 11, 2012 Jessica Harrison rated it 5 of 5 stars

Full review on Cracking the Cover
“Sparrow Road” is an unexpected yet welcome surprise. Author Sheila O’Connor doesn’t rely on popular themes or storytelling trickery. Rather she uses her skills in character and scene development to tell a mature and engrossing story that celebrates middle readers’ intelligence.

O’Connor’s characters come to life under her careful tutelage. Josie, with her “rainbow colored hair” and patchwork dresses, is so full of life, she seems to jump off the page. And Diego b...more

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Feb 05, 2012 Susie rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'd read several good reviews of this book. I have to say, that when I finally finished it, I found it much more satisfying. I really felt like O'Connor laid the groundwork for the reader to sense how Raine had grown as a person during the summer. I generally like more plot-driven books, and I found it to be slow-going at times, but the overall effect is good.
I found myself wanting to skip ahead and felt a bit of suspense when it was going to be revealed who Raine's father was. (And I laughed ou...more

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Jan 07, 2012 Lisa rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: mock-newbery-2011, young-adult, ya-2011

Raine and her mother come to stay for the summer at Sparrow Road, an artists' country home retreat and former orphanage. Raine, twelve, is unhappy and completely mystified about why her mother would have accepted this strange summer job far from their Milwaukee home and her beloved Grandpa Mac. The home is populated with eccentric, colorful artists who immediately take in Raine and Molly and make them feel welcome. A couple of weeks into the stay Raine finds out the real reason for their summer...more

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Nov 28, 2011 Sarah W rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, writing, middle-grade, 2011

"Well, it's nothing like Milwaukee, that's for sure."

Twelve-year-old Raine couldn't agree more with Mama on that. Sparrow Road's nothing like the city she calls home. Taken away from her summer at Grandpa Mac's store where Raine helps stack shelves with treats for eight weeks in a strange place where her mom will cook and clean, Raine is frustrated with everything about the place that has uprooted her.

It doesn't help that there are only five other people on the property of Sparrow Road, an aging...more "Well, it's nothing like Milwaukee, that's for sure."

Twelve-year-old Raine couldn't agree more with Mama on that. Sparrow Road's nothing like the city she calls home. Taken away from her summer at Grandpa Mac's store where Raine helps stack shelves with treats for eight weeks in a strange place where her mom will cook and clean, Raine is frustrated with everything about the place that has uprooted her.

It doesn't help that there are only five other people on the property of Sparrow Road, an aging mansion that is home to a summer artists retreat. It definitely doesn't help that six days of the week talking isn't allowed until supper time. There's no tv, no radio, no music. Sparrow Road's owner, Viktor Berglund, is unbending on these rules, rules that Raine knew nothing about until her arrival. Her mother won't tell why she took the job at Sparrow Road and won't let Raine go with on their visits to town.

Parts of that first day at Sparrow Road feel like a disaster. She's asked about her dad, someone she knows nothing about. A writer embarrasses Raine's mom and makes it clear that children' aren't welcome. Raine has an out. Grandpa Mac promised to come get her if she called even if they are now ten hours ride apart. If only Raine knew where a phone might be at Sparrow Road.

It's elderly Lillian's first visit with Raine that reveals Sparrow Road's past. The old woman's questions about other children don't make sense to Raine, nor do her references to the mansion as home. It takes a tour from a big, friendly, laughing artist named Diego to make Lillian's stories clear. Sparrow Road was an orphanage. Their toys, colors and forgotten things still clutter the attic. Now Raine has two mysteries to solve--the orphans' past and her mother's decision to move to the retreat for the summer.

What if? What was? Or what could be? These are the questions Diego encourages Raine to write about in her time at Sparrow Road. These questions help give the long gone orphans a voice and help Raine find her own.

Sparrow Road is the beautifully written story of what it means to be left and the mark that leaves. It's a story of family, the one people are born with and the ones that they make.

I received my copy free from the publisher at the AASL convetion.(less)

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Nov 13, 2011 M. rated it 4 of 5 stars

Raine, aged 12, lives with her mom and her grandfather. She's never known her father. The family has a close, happy life until her mother, with no warning, uproots Raine and takes her to live at Sparrow Road, an artists' colony, where Mom has taken a summer job as a cook and maid. Raine has no idea why and she resents the move, Mom's lack of explanations, and the owner's RULES (including no speaking whatsoever during the day except on Sundays). Gradually, however, the enchantment of Sparrow Road...more

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Nov 02, 2011 Chelsea rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: middle-grade-fiction

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Oct 06, 2011 Elizabeth K. rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-new-reads

More like three and a half stars. I don't think it was quite four, even though I liked the book a lot, and thought the writing was very good.

You know, one thing I have noticed about myself as an adult person who reads a lot of children's books is that sometimes, when mysterious things are afoot, my mind goes immediately to completely inappropriate and unlikely situations, even to the point where it will color my impression of the book. As an example, in this book the protagonist, 12 year old Rai...more

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Sep 25, 2011 Kwinks rated it 2 of 5 stars

The History major in me is dying to know. When does this story take place? Here's my breakdown:
First, no mention of cellphones or internet= time <1995
Mama's "hippie" stint in Amsterdam= time >1969
Several mentions of "paisley" and peasant blouses= 1970's
Raine is 12, going on 13 + Mom (hippie)= late 70's to early 80's
Final result= 1978-1989
Still, it is a range.
Next, my major, major problem with this story is that it features a bunch of non-functioning adults who rely too much on a 12 year-o...more The History major in me is dying to know. When does this story take place? Here's my breakdown:
First, no mention of cellphones or internet= time <1995
Mama's "hippie" stint in Amsterdam= time >1969
Several mentions of "paisley" and peasant blouses= 1970's
Raine is 12, going on 13 + Mom (hippie)= late 70's to early 80's
Final result= 1978-1989
Still, it is a range.
Next, my major, major problem with this story is that it features a bunch of non-functioning adults who rely too much on a 12 year-old. A 12 year-old that they do not tell the truth to, and then expect her to make mature decisions. HUH? Several times, I wanted to reach into this book and punch the mother. Was she not the most immature woman EVER? She sneaks her kid away from her loving grandfather, without telling her why, tells Raine her father wants to meet her, and then dumps the whole thing in the kid's lap. No one, with the exception of Diego, ever asks Raine how she feels or if she is okay. It is all about their own agendas!
Josie, another grown woman, involves Raine in a project to reunite the orphans of Sparrow Road, Viktor gives Raine a job watching a woman who is loosing her mental capacities, and everyone assumes that if Raine is busying working on "art" she will grow as a person. How about treating her like one?
Even the ending (not really a spoiler), Mama asks Raine if they should stay at Sparrow Road, or return to the city. In this way, Mama would not have to be a "waitress" anymore. What?!?! How about what is best for your kid, lady?
I cannot think of one kid I know from the library, or my own daughters who could appreciate this story. Is it a thinly veiled criticism of the foster care system, a reflection on single parenting? Who knows.
What I did love was Raine. Why did I love her? Because I am an adult. She speaks and thinks like an adult. She has more empathy for the ghosts of orphans in the attic, than the adults around her have for her. So, as a child reader, could they relate to Raine? Would this story have made more sense if Raine had been 15 or 16, I think it would have. (less)

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Aug 04, 2011 Barbara rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ncbla, writing

When Raine O'Rourke's mother impulsively takes a job at an artists' colony far from their Milwaukee home, Raine is understandably confused and annoyed. There are all sorts of eccentric individuals and crazy rules of silence at this place. But guided by the mentors she finds at Sparrow Road and intrigued by its past as an orphanage, Raine grows increasingly comfortable with the place and begins writing, imagining her way into the mind and heart of Lyman, one of the orphan boys who kept wondering...more

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Jul 18, 2011 Kimberly Bower rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: galley, juvenile

The first day of summer holds such promise. For 12-year-old Raine O'Rourke that includes stacking shelves at Grandpa Mac's store, playing chess with Grandpa's best friend and eating all the popsicles and candy she wants. That's how Raine expects to spend this summer too. Instead, she finds herself far from Milwaukee. All of a sudden, her mom decides to take a summer job as a cook at an old mansion in the country. There goes Raine's hope for a fun summer.

Sparrow Road seems to be a summer camp, o...more

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May 25, 2011 Cindy Hudson rated it 5 of 5 stars

Twelve-year-old Raine O’Rourke has no idea why her mother suddenly whisked them away from their home in Milwaukee to take a summer job in Michigan. Sparrow Road is a refuge for artists where they can pursue their craft without distractions. This means no speaking during the day, no television, no children and no noise. The owner is a mysterious, creepy guy named Viktor, and Raine can’t wait to call her grandpa to take her back home.

But as she gets to know the artists and the area, Raine comes to...more

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Oct 27, 2010 Megan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, realistic, intermediate, young-adult, coming-of-age

What a lovely book! Raine and her mother abruptly move to Sparrow Road, an artists' sanctuary, for the summer although Raine's mother won't tell her why. Despite being upset about moving away from her beloved Uncle Mac, Raine begins to explore Sparrow Road and get to know the quirky artists in residence there. Raine begins to follow their example and open herself up to inspiration, but questions still nag at her: What is the connection between her mother and Viktor, the caretaker of Sparrow Road...more

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Jul 22, 2011 Book Twirps rated it 4 of 5 stars

Twelve-year-old Raine is not happy. Her mother just took a summer job at an artist's sanctuary called Sparrow Road and she's forcing Raine to go with her. Raine would rather stay in Milwaukee with her Grandpa Mac, working in his store and eating all the candy she can get her hands on. It's always been that way, and she doesn't understand why it has to change now. To make matters worse, Sparrow Road has all sorts of rules, the worst being that you are not allowed to talk except for after dinner a...more Twelve-year-old Raine is not happy. Her mother just took a summer job at an artist's sanctuary called Sparrow Road and she's forcing Raine to go with her. Raine would rather stay in Milwaukee with her Grandpa Mac, working in his store and eating all the candy she can get her hands on. It's always been that way, and she doesn't understand why it has to change now. To make matters worse, Sparrow Road has all sorts of rules, the worst being that you are not allowed to talk except for after dinner and on Sundays. As soon as Rainne arrives, she is devising an escape plan. Surely her mother won't make her stay here all summer. Maybe she can convince Grandpa Mac to come get her. As Rainne settles in at Sparrow Road, she gets to know some of the quirky artists and writers that reside there, and she begins tapping into some of her own unknown talents. She also learns that Sparrow Road used to be an orphanage and there are many secrets waiting to be discovered. As the days pass, and Rainne settles in with the artists, a number of things begin taking place that Rainne doesn't understand. Why does she get the feeling that her mother knows Viktor, the caretaker, better than she lets on? Why is Rainne not allowed to go into town with her mother when she runs errands? Why do the residents of Sparrow Road still talk about the orphans that used to live there as if they still exist? As the summer progresses, Rainne will uncover the answers to these questions, and some of them will change her life forever.

I fell in love with this book from the very first page. The prose is fluid and very descriptive. Every scene is painted so vividly I felt as if I was there. The characters are all well-drawn and realistic, and the story itself is filled with enough humor, mischief, mystery and hope to keep the reader wanting more. The story is told from Rainne's point-of-view, but the rest of the characters are just as colorful and very important in moving the story forward. Though the novel is geared toward middle-grade readers, adults and young adults alike will find much to love in Ms. O'Connor's story of family, self-discovery and forgiveness. This is the perfect book to take to the beach, or to curl up with under a tree this summer.(less)

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Sep 29, 2011 Wendy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-award-possibilities

The writing in this is generally great; you can tell O'Connor is an accomplished author, and there's none of the awkwardness you sometimes feel when adult authors try to cross over into juvenile. But somewhere in the second half of the book I felt like the thread of the story got lost and everything was sort of repetitious. That's what kept me from being really enthusiastic about it. I sort of... stopped caring when I saw where things were going.

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Feb 12, 2011 Alanna (The Flashlight Reader) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: middle-grades

Synopsis from back cover: It’s the summer before seventh grade, and twelve-year-old Raine O’Rourke’s mother suddenly takes a job hours from home at mysterious Sparrow Road—a creepy, dilapidated mansion that houses an eccentric group of artists. While Raine’s mother works as the cook and housekeeper, Raine explores the sprawling estate, trying to solve its secrets in the hopes she’ll discover why she and her mother have really come to Sparrow Road, but it’s an unexpected secret from Raine’s own l...more Synopsis from back cover: It’s the summer before seventh grade, and twelve-year-old Raine O’Rourke’s mother suddenly takes a job hours from home at mysterious Sparrow Road—a creepy, dilapidated mansion that houses an eccentric group of artists. While Raine’s mother works as the cook and housekeeper, Raine explores the sprawling estate, trying to solve its secrets in the hopes she’ll discover why she and her mother have really come to Sparrow Road, but it’s an unexpected secret from Raine’s own life that changes her forever.

Review: Upon her arrival at Sparrow Road, Raine is greeted by Viktor, the elderly recluse and owner of the sprawling estate. She is also met by his rules for living at Sparrow Road: Do not disturb the artists and no talking until dinner every day of the week, except for Sundays. For a twelve-year-old girl that has been mysteriously pulled from her home in Milwaukee, these rules are hard to accept. Luckily for Raine, Sparrow Road is full of very colorful characters to keep her company. Josie is eccentric and full of energy; an instant favorite of Raine. Lillian is an elderly woman full of kindness and love that helps Raine overcome her homesickness. Then there is Diego. Raine imagines Diego as the father that she never had. His laugh can fill an entire room, and his warm, gentle spirit can calm the roughest of seas.

When Raine finds a drawing of Sparrow Road in the winter time, hidden in the attic of the old house, she is instantly drawn to the mystery that surrounds her summer home. Diego encourages her to find and write the story behind the picture from the attic signed by twelve-year-old Lyman, an orphan living in the house many years ago. By asking “what was or what could be,” Raine begins to write Lyman’s story. What she doesn’t realize is that she is also writing her own in the process.

The characters in Sparrow Road are fantastic. You can picture Josie with her “rainbow colored hair” and patchwork dresses. Lillian’s frailty and age becomes evident through the description of her skin feeling “like a well worn bed sheet.” The physical descriptions of the characters match the personality that is penned for each within the pages of the novel. The author, Sheila O’Conner, does a brilliant job of mixing lively characters with beautiful descriptive language. I fell in love with each and every character, especially Raine. She was wise beyond her twelve years and the bond that brought her family together.

The stories that entwine at Sparrow Road are not always pleasant stories. There is a considerable degree of sadness that marks the lives of the characters in the story. However, there is a constant reminder of hope—like the charm Raine wears around her neck—that lingers in their lives as well. Sparrow Road is a layered tale of friendship, forgiveness, and what it means to be a family.

(less)

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May 30, 2012 Donna Galanti rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: young adult and adult

Shelves: young-adult

I wish I could give this book a "blizzard of stars".

If there is one book you read this summer. This is it. This is the book that made me fall in love with reading again. 12-year-old Raine has an unexpected summer that at first she resists and as she transforms, and the people she meets transforms - it changes her life forever.

I read this coming-of-age book every free chance I got over two days. It is so beautifully written, like riding a slow, golden wave that builds and builds and covers all in...more

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Feb 17, 2013 Kathleen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: realistic-fiction, ala-notable, prek-2, reviewed-edci-311

12 year old Raine is unhappy about leaving her home and her dear Grandpa Mac the summer before 7th grade. She unwillingly accompanies her mother for 8 weeks to Sparrow Road. Sparrow Road is a mysterious ex-orphanage turned retreat for artists of all sorts where silence is expected of all residents from sun-up to sun-down six days a week. Raine's adolescent curiosity helps her begin to uncover some of the mystery of this strange place and its people.

Raine explores why she isn't allowed to go into...more 12 year old Raine is unhappy about leaving her home and her dear Grandpa Mac the summer before 7th grade. She unwillingly accompanies her mother for 8 weeks to Sparrow Road. Sparrow Road is a mysterious ex-orphanage turned retreat for artists of all sorts where silence is expected of all residents from sun-up to sun-down six days a week. Raine's adolescent curiosity helps her begin to uncover some of the mystery of this strange place and its people.

Raine explores why she isn't allowed to go into town and discovers that her mother, Molly, knows someone there. Molly is trying to protect Raine from the person, but who is he or she? Why can't she go to the festival with the artists?

The orphans are the second mystery Raine digs into. Why do the artists at Sparrow Road still refer to them as if they reside there? As O'Connor reveals these mysteries the reader is left engaged, interested, and satisfied.

Four stars for this book because I found myself turning pages quickly to see what happened next. The chapters are short, too, so it was easy to read a few minutes here and there. All in all, I finished it in 2 days and was pleased by the images of a seemingly real, historic, small town and this coming of age tale. I think most middle-grade girls would easily connect to Raine. And while I find myself liking the protagonist, Grandpa Mac was probably my favorite character of them all. He was so supportive of Raine and helped her learn to love--and hope.

I think this story would lend itself well to tracing that theme--hope--through from cover to cover. O'Connor has several objects that, in my opinion, symbolize hope. In addition, there are many events that leave the characters with a sense of hope. It would be a great book for a middle-grade book club discussion.

The lexile rating for this book is 530L and a guided reading level W indicating that a 3rd grade student reading on grade level should be able to independently read this text...BUT I think the events and themes presented in this book make it more appropriate for a mature 4th grade student.
(less)

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Jul 20, 2012 Tracy Holczer rated it 5 of 5 stars

Sparrow Road is one of those books that stays with you for a very long time. Taken away from everything familiar, twelve-year-old Raine is plucked up and driven several hours from her home to an old mansion in the country on Sparrow Road, an artist's colony. Her mother has taken a job there for the summer as cook. Where she is at first mortified by the lack of technology and the horrible discovery that she's not even allowed to speak all day so the artists in residence can work in silence, she s...more

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Oct 10, 2011 Destinee Sutton rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: tween, middle-grade, families, writing, art

Things I liked:

1. The suspense of why Raine and her mother go to Sparrow Road for the summer. As I've said before, with everyday life fiction like this, it helps a lot to have some kind of mystery driving the plot and this really worked. Of course, the mystery is solved halfway through, but then you can kind of coast on the strength of the characters and relationships.

2. Raine's development as a writer. The way she asks herself questions like "What was and what will be?' and creates a characte...more

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Dec 31, 2010 Yvonne Powderly rated it 4 of 5 stars

I know a book is a good one when I have to keep reading to satisfy my curiosity about a character or plot. Sparrow Road offers mystery in abundance. O'Connor creates a very real world with characters you can relate to and see in your own life. The story combines dreams, sadness, happiness and imagination.
Raine and her mother abruptly move from Milwaukee, leaving behind friends, a job and a grandfather to take a summer job in Sparrow Road. Once owned by a rich family, Sparrow Road was donated to...more

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Oct 30, 2011 Phoebe rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: juv, realistic-fiction

With upsetting suddenness 12-year-old Raine and her mother leave Milwaukee to spend the summer deep in the country at Sparrow Road, an artists' retreat at which her mother will work as cook. Raine misses her beloved Grandpa Mac but slowly begins to enjoy herself as she interacts with the memorably characterized artists. It is soon apparent to Raine, however, that there is a mystery afoot--why doesn't her mother want her going into town, and what is she so afraid of? As her frustration reaches a...more

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Feb 05, 2011 Amyvotava rated it 5 of 5 stars

Loved this book!!! My daughter is 12 years old and after she read the first chapter she laughed out loud, tapped her finger on the page and said, "this writer really understands girls my age!"

The world so desperately needs more books like Sparrow Road. I really don't think I've ever read anything quite like it. I was one of those girls sitting up in my bedroom feverishly writing poetry until 1 a.m. My parents couldn't quite figure me out. But if there had been a book like Sparrow Road...

The beau...more

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Sep 08, 2012 Meg rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is a quiet Summer read about secrets and family and discovering one's creativity. Raine O'Rouke is a 12 year old girl, whose mother mysteriously accepts a job at an artisit's retreat in the country taking Raine away from her grandfather and their apartment in Milwaukee. Raine is puzzled by this summer move, and as she investigates Sparrow Road she discovers other mysteries to solve as well. The setting, a run-down country estate that was once an orphanage, provides a backdrop of well devel...more

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May 30, 2011 Reader rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: meh-reads, books-read-may-2011

Maybe I'd give this one three and a half stars if I could. The story follows 12-year-old Raine O'Rourke who has been unwillingly dragged by her mother to an artist's colony in the middle of nowhere. There's something mysterious about this new job her mother has acquired too. Why does her mom seem to know the owner so well? Why is Raine never allowed to go to town at any point, with or without her mother? And that's before she discovers Sparrow Road's true beginnings as an orphanage, with mysteri...more

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Jun 08, 2011 Kathryn rated it 5 of 5 stars

My daughter is reading this book, and I cannot get it out of her hands to read it myself. "I LOVE this book" is all she will say before returning to the basement to continue the story. Later: I really enjoyed this book, with its many mysteries that are carefully unfolded, like delicate origami papers, chapter after chapter. The heart of the book reminds me of Kate DiCamillio's Tiger Rising, as there is an eclectic group of adults supporting the coming-of-age girl, and the climax of the book is a...more

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Sep 14, 2011 Caroline rated it 2 of 5 stars

I was blase about this whimsical book that was well reviewed by all the major journals (booklist gave it a star and even kirkus had nice things to say!) A whimsically written realistic fiction book for middle schoolers (probably girls)sends a positive message about art, family, and discovering who we are. Don't know why I didn't like it more. I'm usually a sucker for lyrically written books but I had to make an effort to finish this one. Be that as it may, I"d still give this book to readers who...more

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May 16, 2011 Books and Literature for Teens rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: for ages 12+

Shelves: books-ive-read-in-2011, coming-of-age, family-drama, middle-grade, published-2011, realistic-contemporary, relationships

Sparrow Road is a whimsically inspiring novel of discovery, family secrets, and forgiveness making it a strikingly wonderful work in middle grade fiction.
The story opens with a lot of mysterious things. When Raine is pulled from her comfortable life in Milwaukee, she suddenly finds herself at a summer country home for artists. Not only is twelve-year-old Raine not told why she is there, she must live among a very eccentric group of adults who retain a week of silence until Sundays; and of course...more

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