Rachel Bird

by Becky Citra

Sometimes family can surprise you.

Rachel and her little sister, Jane, are spending the summer with two strangers who happen to be their grandparents. Up until their mom’s death a few months ago, Rachel didn’t know these people existed, and now she’s been packed off to the family ranch in the interior of British Columbia—a place with mountains, lakes, and zero cell service.

But her newfound family isn’t the only secret that’s been kept from her. Why did their mother leave her family so many years ago? Why does their grandpa stay hidden away in the basement, and what happened to their Uncle Jimmy? And the biggest question mark of all: who was the mysterious Stephanie?

Once Rachel shines a light into the ranch’s dark corners, nothing will ever be the same again.

Genres: Audiobook, Young Adult, Family

232 pages, Paperback

Published May 3, 2022

Reviews

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Becky Citra has such a talent with voice. I love Rachel, Jane, Margaret, and Wayne to bits. They all felt so alive.

[Sarah Thornton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was describing this book to my colleague today and he said 'wait, that's a kid's book?'

It's a lot. But it's really well done and the reactions of everyone for the actions of the past really feel genuine. The shame and fea and hate and needing to escape. The self-recrimination, the coddling.

A really good read about really flawed people. As I was reading it I was thinking about how well it would transpose into a video game like Lake or Gone Home or Firewatch, where Rachel is visiting uncle Jimmy's yurt on the island and has to look for clues for the computer password and the gun safe. The part of BC where it's set would be a great backdrop to the game, and there's enough for Rachel to do that it'd be a decent 3-4 hour game.

It was compelling enough to read in one session even after she called me out one of my tattoos in the first paragraph.

[Cheriee Weichel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am always content to read a Becky Citra novel. Not only does she create authentic characters, she places them in environments so real, readers experience a sense of having been there.
She does it again with Rachel Bird.



Rachel is a 14 year old teen with a 5 year old sister, Jane. Their mother died and as the story begins, they are spending time in Vancouver, BC, with an uncle they knew nothing about. During the summer holidays they are sent to live with Margaret and Wayne, grandparents they have neither met nor heard of. They end up on a ranch north of 100 Mile House in the Caribou region of British Columbia.

At first Rachel wants to just return to Vancouver, but eventually she makes connections to Margaret and Wayne; Magic, her mother's horse; new friends; and the land itself.

As a reader I couldn't help but wonder, why their mother left the family and had nothing to do with them afterwards?

Rachel wonders the same thing and as the story unfolds, secrets are forced into the open and we learn the answers.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book for book lovers- Not only is this an amazing story, the main character is a book lover and you get so many wonderful book recommendations as you read. YES! I had to go back and make sure these were actual books (they are) you get at least 22 books named in the novel. I call this a win.

The main characters are relatable, while this is YA- it def can be adult reading with out any issues.

Adult read in one evening, about 3 hours

[Ren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never read a Becky Citra novel before, and now I have to find more of them. This was phenomenal, I loved Rachel so much and her story was so intriguing; there was more to this than just the mystery aspect or just a coming of age story, the parallels bring so much depth to the plot and feel realistic while still being fictional. This is a hit.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this, narrated by Emma Love, and what a fascinating, well-through-out story! It’s always neat to read something that takes place in British Columbia, let alone the area where I live. My favourite part of this novel has to be the dynamics and relationship between Rachel and Jane. Just the sweetest sister bond there is.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.5/5

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story about Rachel and her little sister, Jane that find themselves living with their grandparents who are strangers. Rachel and Jane find themselves getting to know their mother who's died through their grandparents. It's a sweet story about a girl taking care of her little sister and getting to know her mother as part of how she deals with the grief of her death.
They're in the British Columbia area and find themselves without cell service so they pass their time exploring the land, swimming in the lake, and finding answers to why their Mom was the way she was and what happened with her before she died.
Thanks to Edelweiss and Second Story Press for letting me read and review this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book more than I actually did ! I didn’t like the characters much and couldn’t feel anything for them and their motivations. I kept hearing about this “secret” throughout and despite my disinterest kept reading to find out what it was. The secret was anticlimactic when they finally revealed what it was. I suppose there were elements of “real” life as to what secrets can do to a family, cause separation, loneliness and a general feeling that something is wrong whether it is communicated or not. Stephanie’s death caused sadness throughout the Bird family, and also caused Rachel and Jane to not know their mother’s family, where if everyone had faced up to it they could have had family support and love they missed out on for many years.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading the book, and I wasn't able to let the book down. and It was easy to read through. I love how Rachel took care of Jane and guided her. I also love how they explored together and let Jane be a kid but also was very open with Jane.

[Ranette · Rating 4 out of 5]

A teen with a younger sister must move to the country with their grandmother and g. father because of the death of their mother. Being city girls, they don't know much about the country.

[Taylor Reid · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75
I had a fun time. Fast pacing, which I liked 👍 it was a cozy small town mystery.