Silhouette of a Sparrow

Sixteen-year-old Garnet lives in 1920’s Minnesota and faces a traditional, expected future as a caregiver and mother, until she spends the summer with a distant family member and she meets Isabella, who lives a more free life. As the two become friends and fall in love, Garnet finds the courage to put expectations aside and follow her dream of going to college and making her own life. This gentle coming-of-age story examines traditional women’s roles, overcoming society’s expectations, social and personal identity, personal growth, sexual identity, and gender inequality. Suitable for a literature circle kit in both English Language Arts and Social Studies/History classes.