Birdies Bargain, Katherine Paterson
Birdies Bargain, Katherine Paterson
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Birdie's Bargain

Author: Katherine Paterson

Narrator: Jorjeana Marie

Unabridged: 4 hr 33 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 11/09/2021


Synopsis

In a poignant and unflinching new realistic novel from the Newbery Medal–winning author of Bridge to Terabithia, a ten-year-old girl makes a deal with God for her father's safe return from the Iraq War.

Birdie has questions for God. For starters, why couldn’t God roll history back to September 10, 2001, and fix things—so the next day was an ordinary sunny day and not the devastating lead-in to two wars? Daddy has already been to Iraq twice. Now he’s going again, and Birdie is sure he’ll die. At the very least, she won’t see him again for a year, and everything will not be OK. (Why do grown-ups lie?) To save money, she, Mom, and baby Billy have moved to Gran’s, where shy Birdie must attend a new school, and no one but bossy Alicia Marie Suggs welcomes her. Doesn’t God remember how hard it was for Birdie to make friends at Bible Camp? Counselor Ron taught about Judgment there—and the right way to believe. Has Birdie been praying wrong? Why else would God break their bargain? Readers of all faiths and backgrounds, especially children of military families, will identify with and root for the unforgettable Birdie, given inimitable voice by a master storyteller.

About The Author

Katherine Paterson, a two-time winner of the Newbery Medal and the National Book Award, has written more than thirty books, including Bridge to Terabithia and My Brigadista Year. A recipient of the Hans Christian Andersen Award, the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, and the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, and a former National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, she lives in Montpelier, Vermont.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Erin

Emotional and heartfelt - this novel is perfect for middle grade readers who are dealing with a parent in the military, confusion about Christianity, and struggling with friends. Birdie is upset that their parents have to move their family into Gram's house while her father is deployed for a third t......more

Birdie's father has been called up to war again, and the rest of the family must go to stay with Gran for the duration. Birdie is very worried about her father going to Afghanistan and she makes a deal with God that she will be good if God will bring her father home safely. And then God doesn't. Wha......more

Goodreads review by Andrea

This was an interesting look at religion from the perspective of a 10-year-old. Whether you're a believer or not, you've probably sought out some sort of calm through prayer when life got turbulent. It might have been to God or source, the universe, or some other higher power. But what happens when......more