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Sparrow in the Wind
Back in the summer of 1962, ten year-old Cassandra Parsons has her life all figured out. She lives with her father and mother in the upstairs flat of a well-appointed two family house in a pleasant neighborhood of Racine, Wisconsin. Her maternal aunt and grandfather live right downstairs and her best friend Kitty has always lived two doors down. Cassandra's well-ordered world comes undone when her father decides to move his nuclear family to the backwoods of Northern Wisconsin, to renovate and manage his father's hunting lodge. Isolated and friendless, she is suddenly left to her own devices as her parents plunge themselves into their new business endeavor. Loneliness and self-pity gradually give way to growth as Cassandra learns to appreciate the beauty of nature and the peace of quietude. Soon she meets a half-Ojibwa girl named Sparrow. The girls become fast friends and have a final fling with childhood, spending their last carefree days fishing in the river and roaming the woods, pretending to be ancient Ojibwa. But their sweet Indian summer comes to an abrupt end as tragedy strikes both girls’ families. Cassandra and Sparrow’s friendship is tested as they try to forge a mature, enduring relationship that hopefully will see them through even these darkest of times.
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First published April 1, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 28, 2017
I recently read Sparrow in the Wind, by S. Rose, with my high school book and writing club. We all loved it! The members range from grades 9-12, and represent a wide variety of interests and ability levels. Each student said that he/she could relate to this novel on some personal level, as it explores a number of universal themes, and controversial issues that are as relevant today as they were in 1962 when the story takes place. The author's style is fresh, creatively descriptive, and insightful—a great read for everyone from teens to the elderly. I plan to teach Sparrow in the Wind as a contemporary work of classic American literature.
I have been teaching for 42 years. 31 in Florida.
I have been teaching for 42 years. 31 in Florida.
July 11, 2017
I borrowed a copy from a friend. The author is a skillful artist, creating worlds inhabited by lifelike characters searching for their own space in the world around them.
Set in the early 1960s, Sparrow in the Wind tells the story of ten-year-old Cassie, a girl with a family chocked full of secrets. Some of these secrets have the potential to tear apart the world in which she lives. But Cassie meets a young Indian girl named Sparrow, and life lessons are learned in ways that put the reader on seat's edge. Will the girl survive? You'll have to read it to find out.
This is the second book I've read from this author. I am sufficiently impressed with her skills are a writer and storyteller. If you appreciate talented writers, grab a copy of this one.
Set in the early 1960s, Sparrow in the Wind tells the story of ten-year-old Cassie, a girl with a family chocked full of secrets. Some of these secrets have the potential to tear apart the world in which she lives. But Cassie meets a young Indian girl named Sparrow, and life lessons are learned in ways that put the reader on seat's edge. Will the girl survive? You'll have to read it to find out.
This is the second book I've read from this author. I am sufficiently impressed with her skills are a writer and storyteller. If you appreciate talented writers, grab a copy of this one.
August 30, 2016
Sparrow In The Wind is the fourth novel I’ve read by S. Rose. The middle two books, while well written and entertaining, are science fiction. I’m just not a big fan of that genre. This most recent novel—along with her debut title—falls into my favorite genre: coming of age.
Sparrow In The Wind tells the story of young Cassandra Parsons, a girl living with her parents in 1962 Wisconsin. As the story’s narrative voice, Cassandra shares her life’s experiences with readers, telling us about her move from the “big city” of Racine, to the backwoods of northern Wisconsin.
Along the way Cassandra learns of several long-hidden family secrets—some of which have the potential to destroy relationships within her family structure. Upon her move to the sticks, she befriends a half-Ojibwa Indian girl called Sparrow. The stark contrast between these two girls’ worlds is painted onto the pages of the book in vivid living color.
Cassandra, brought up in a solid middle class home filled with love and family, has never gone without the necessities of life. Sparrow, living in abject poverty, has never known any but a life of nothingness.
Despite these contrasting situations, these two girls forge a bond that holds their lives together even as the world around them spins recklessly out of control.
Ms. Rose writes coming of age stories as well as anybody within the genre—and this includes both indie authors as well as the traditionally published. To say I am a fan is an understatement. Her ability to bring characters to life is an admirable skill, to be sure. However, it is her rare gift of moving readers to actually care for her characters that sets her stories apart from other writers working in the coming-of-age genre.
I read her debut novel, Bridge Ices Before Road, several years ago. The story and characters remain with me to this day. Good writers do this with regularity. S. Rose has two books now that occupy the book shelf in my mind. If you haven’t yet discovered this incredible talent, the loss is yours.
Sparrow In The Wind tells the story of young Cassandra Parsons, a girl living with her parents in 1962 Wisconsin. As the story’s narrative voice, Cassandra shares her life’s experiences with readers, telling us about her move from the “big city” of Racine, to the backwoods of northern Wisconsin.
Along the way Cassandra learns of several long-hidden family secrets—some of which have the potential to destroy relationships within her family structure. Upon her move to the sticks, she befriends a half-Ojibwa Indian girl called Sparrow. The stark contrast between these two girls’ worlds is painted onto the pages of the book in vivid living color.
Cassandra, brought up in a solid middle class home filled with love and family, has never gone without the necessities of life. Sparrow, living in abject poverty, has never known any but a life of nothingness.
Despite these contrasting situations, these two girls forge a bond that holds their lives together even as the world around them spins recklessly out of control.
Ms. Rose writes coming of age stories as well as anybody within the genre—and this includes both indie authors as well as the traditionally published. To say I am a fan is an understatement. Her ability to bring characters to life is an admirable skill, to be sure. However, it is her rare gift of moving readers to actually care for her characters that sets her stories apart from other writers working in the coming-of-age genre.
I read her debut novel, Bridge Ices Before Road, several years ago. The story and characters remain with me to this day. Good writers do this with regularity. S. Rose has two books now that occupy the book shelf in my mind. If you haven’t yet discovered this incredible talent, the loss is yours.
December 20, 2016
Sparrow in the Wind by S. Rose is an exceptional coming of age book. The main character, Cassandra Parsons lives with her parents in Racine Wisconsin in the 1960a. She does not feel close to her parents because they don't really show their affection for her. She has a Norwegian heritage and loves her Aunt Grundrun. Aunt Grundrun still has an accent, cooks from scratch, and shows her affection by the time and care that she takes fixing Cassy's hair.
One day. her father announces that they are moving to the back woods so that he can help his father. He closes his business and plans to repair the shacks that his father rents out. Cassie will be losing all her friends and is shocked by her father on the trip. A bond starts to build between her mother. She finds a new friend, Sparrow in the Wind (Ojiwa name). Together they find out secrets of their families and Cassy becomes mature. Able to give her parents love and understanding and stand up against the wrongs of the past and present.
S. Rose wrote this book with great intelligence and sensitivity. This story seems so real to me and kept me so engaged through out the story. She is truly a very talented storyteller. I hope that she writes more books in this genres or other genres that include family history. She has written a treasure of a book. I highly recommend it.
I received this book as a win from FirstReads but that did not influence my thoughts in this review.
One day. her father announces that they are moving to the back woods so that he can help his father. He closes his business and plans to repair the shacks that his father rents out. Cassie will be losing all her friends and is shocked by her father on the trip. A bond starts to build between her mother. She finds a new friend, Sparrow in the Wind (Ojiwa name). Together they find out secrets of their families and Cassy becomes mature. Able to give her parents love and understanding and stand up against the wrongs of the past and present.
S. Rose wrote this book with great intelligence and sensitivity. This story seems so real to me and kept me so engaged through out the story. She is truly a very talented storyteller. I hope that she writes more books in this genres or other genres that include family history. She has written a treasure of a book. I highly recommend it.
I received this book as a win from FirstReads but that did not influence my thoughts in this review.
May 7, 2016
This is such a wonderful and bittersweet story. The portrayal of the 1960ies has an amazing authenticity that engulfs the reader immediately. Transported into the childhood of our protagonist Cassandra the narrative shines with an equally inspired voice. The perfect setting for a childhood friendship, innocence and its eventual loss.
Rose does a marvellous job at portraying a Norwegian family with great accuracy of cultural idiosyncrasies without reducing them to boring stereotypes.
The main characters are very well drawn and likeable, the prose elegant and evocative.
One of the characters has haemophilia, a rare condition that I have some knowledge of. The author clearly has, too. I’ve enjoyed finding this lesser known subject as part of a novel.
The book is very moving and rewarding until the last word of the epilogue that ties up everything beautifully.
A book of high literary quality that I can’t recommend enough.
Rose does a marvellous job at portraying a Norwegian family with great accuracy of cultural idiosyncrasies without reducing them to boring stereotypes.
The main characters are very well drawn and likeable, the prose elegant and evocative.
One of the characters has haemophilia, a rare condition that I have some knowledge of. The author clearly has, too. I’ve enjoyed finding this lesser known subject as part of a novel.
The book is very moving and rewarding until the last word of the epilogue that ties up everything beautifully.
A book of high literary quality that I can’t recommend enough.
July 11, 2016
Rose's descriptive prose is lyrical and deeply affecting. Her characters sprang off the pages and the action never slowed down. My only complaint is that some of the dialog didn't feel natural. When Cassandra and Gudrun discussed Cassandra's parentage, and when Cassandra and Tina rehashed George's family history, the dialog was stilted and unnatural. The dialog between Cassandra and George in the epilogue was wonderful and Gudrun's written account of her history was very moving.
July 17, 2016
Wow,what an awesome book! I won this in a Goodreads giveaway & I absolutely loved it. One of the best books I've read! I love stories that take you back to remembering your childhood....I love the story this tells. I felt almost every emotion while reading this....I laughed,cried,worried,was nervous...all due to great writing! The author really made me feel this story!
July 30, 2016
I won Sparrow In The Wind in a Goodreads giveaway! And I am so very happy That i did!!! What an AWESOME book!!!! I loved it!!! I highly recommend this book, once you start reading it you wont want to put it down!!!
November 24, 2016
This is a Goddreads win review. This is a cute coming of age story of 10 year old Cassandra in Racine. Wisconsin. Then she has to move and becomes isolated but she meets an Indian girl named Sparrow and they forge a close bond.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews