The Absence of Sparrows, Kurt Kirchmeier
The Absence of Sparrows, Kurt Kirchmeier
List: $24.98 | Sale: $17.49
Club: $12.49

The Absence of Sparrows

Author: Kurt Kirchmeier

Narrator: Will Collyer

Unabridged: 6 hr 43 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 05/07/2019


Synopsis

Stranger Things meets The Stand in this haunting coming-of-age novel about a plague that brings the world to a halt -- and the boy who believes that his town's missing sparrows can save his family.
In the small town of Griever's Mill, eleven-year-old Ben Cameron is expecting to finish off his summer of relaxing and bird-watching without a hitch. But everything goes wrong when dark clouds roll in.
Old Man Crandall is the first to change -- human one minute and a glass statue the next. Soon it's happening across the world. Dark clouds fill the sky and, at random, people are turned into frozen versions of themselves. There's nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, and no one knows how to stop it.
With his mom on the verge of a breakdown, and his brother intent on following the dubious plans put forth by a nameless voice on the radio, Ben must hold out hope that his town's missing sparrows will return with everyone's souls before the glass plague takes them away forever.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Shauna on June 23, 2019

This book was stunning, in content and prose. You don't see many truly frightening, horror middle-grade novels, and this definitely qualifies. But beyond being a scary apocalyptic novel, this book takes an honest look at grief, family and who you can turn to when things really get bad. This book dre......more

Goodreads review by Josh on December 11, 2019

I read a lot of middle grade fiction, and THE ABSENCE OF SPARROWS isn't just one of my favorite middle grade books of 2019, it's one of my favorites of any year. Typically I choose my middle grade reads based on what my kids (ages 12 and 10) read and rave about. In this case, my 12-year-old son told......more

Goodreads review by Kristen on August 04, 2019

This reads like a kids' version of a Stephen King novella... something like The Langoliers or The Mist.......more

Goodreads review by Darby on October 28, 2019

Holy moly, did I love this story! The whole creepy, atmospheric Twilight Zone meets Alfred Hitchcock vibe kept me turning the pages as fast as I could. I read it along with my middle school book club and the students couldn't stop talking about it, especially the ending, which threw us all for a loo......more

Goodreads review by Sandy on June 25, 2019

This book explores some deep issue regarding human existence, religion and science in an accessible and layered way. I found the family dynamics, especially the relationship between Peter and Ben, engrossing and real. And, I absolutely loved all the bird facts!......more


Quotes

* "A powerful piece of storytelling... Will resonate with anyone who understands that heroism is not a matter of saving the world but of maintaining yourself, and acting to protect those in your community -- despite the forces arrayed against you."
Quill and Quire, starred review

"The mystery of the 'glass plague,' the constant threats to Ben and his family, and the fast-moving plot make the book hard to put down.... Sure to be popular with readers seeking a truly scary story."—School Library Journal

"Will stick with the reader long after they are finished."
School Library Connection

"This gripping novel trusts its young readers."—Booklist

"Stephen King-level horror haunting a tight, thoughtful domestic drama."—BCCB

"Gripping and affecting."
Shelf Awareness

"Creepy and engaging."
Publishers Weekly

"Narrator Will Collyer brings realistic emotion to this creepy audiobook about a terrifying plague."AudioFile

"A fresh spin on the post-apocalyptic genre.... A thought-provoking read."
Canadian Children's Book News