Birdy: A CBCA Notable Book for Older Readers

by Sharon Kernot

Maddy is mute. Since the Incident she has barely spoken. And now she and her mother and brother are staying in a farmhouse on an old apricot orchard not far from town. It’s a chance to rest and recuperate – or a way to hide further away from the world.


Alice is waiting. Since Birdy, her darling daughter, disappeared forty-five years ago, she has sat in her house waiting for her to come home. Alice says Maddy reminds her of Birdy, and Maddy feels a strange connection to the long-lost girl. In the quiet not-speaking and waiting, amid the clutter of the old woman’s house, Maddy and Alice slowly become friends. Until Maddy takes something that’s not hers.


Birdy is a tender warm-hearted verse novel about the pain of loss and shame, the beauty of words, and the healing power of small acts of kindness.


Sharon Kernot lives in Mount Barker, SA, with her family. Her first verse novel The Art of Taxidermy was shortlisted for the 2017 Text Prize, 2019 CBCA book of the year, Prime Minister’s Literary Award and NSW Premier’s Ethel Turner Prize. Birdy is her second verse novel.


‘A beautifully written story about how poetry, friendship, and nature can help us acknowledge and navigate the histories that haunt us. I was spellbound by Kernot's gorgeous, lyrical writing from start to finish.’ Carly Nugent, author of The Peacock Detectives and Sugar


‘Compelling...Fans of Sarah Crossan will be hooked by this hope-filled story of how small acts of kindness make a big impact on everyone.’ Books+Publishing

Genres: Young Adult, Poetry, Mental Health, Friendship, Contemporary, Grief, Family

246 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 30, 2024

Reviews

[Gloria (Ms. G's Bookshelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️4.5 Stars⭐️
Birdy by Sharon Kernot really surprised me, I thought it was going to be a book of poetry but it actually tells a story that was both touching and confronting.

Siblings Maddy a teen and Charlie who is ten arrive in a quiet town to live in a remote farm cottage on an old apricot orchard with their mother. Maddy spends a lot of time with Charlie who is different than other boys his age.

Maddy is a young traumatised girl, living with shame and has selective mutism, an anxiety disorder, she meets mad Alice an old woman mourning her teenage daughter who disappeared many decades ago and they slowly become friends.

For a girl who avoids people when she can Maddy reluctantly also forms a friendship with a girl named Levi who works in the local shop.

There’s much pain and sadness but also love, light and healing and acts of kindness. I loved the nature themes and the amusing verse titles.

Wow there’s something special about this warm-hearted novel in verse, it’s really delightful.

Publication Date 30 January 2024
Publisher Text Publishing
AgeGroup 13+

Thank you to the wonderful team at Text Publishing for a copy of the book.

[Nicole B · Rating 5 out of 5]

A verse novel about loss and shame. A beautifully poetic story that delves into the pain of loss and trauma and the healing balm of friendship. I was hooked by the lyrical language and its message of hope, as well as the small acts of kindness that can mean so much.

[hannah! (lowkey gone) · Rating 4 out of 5]

i love novels in verse so much <3

[Kate Benedek · Rating 1 out of 5]

atrocious.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy a well-written verse novel, and Birdy was no exception. Though a slim volume, Birdy manages to tell a tale of loss, isolation, fear, and the connections that bring us together. Highly recommended (though TW for sexual assault).

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely, if short, Australian verse novel about the dangers of social media and how bullies use it, the question of consent, grief, anxiety and moving forward from your past. The story also touches on the healing power of nature and how humans have scarred nature and ourselves (Maralinga).

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intense immersive read. All not questions had answers.

Verse is strong and emotional.

[Ghostly Writer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I read this a couple of years ago, but I still loved it. Just wish it would delve deeper into her past.

[Hollie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a lovely read. The characters and story through verse was so captivating I couldn't put it down. I would honestly recommend reading this book to anyone who picks it up.

[Clare Snow · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It is hard to leave
yourself behind.
Things have a way
of finding you
even when you are hiding
from yourself."

These two broke me in pieces

[Francesca Pashby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Verse novel ... another tearjerker. Poignant sparse writing, a simple tale, beautifully told.

[Kerryn Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is something incredibly beautiful about verse novels. Every word, deliberately chosen and none wasted. A beautiful story of love, forgiveness and friendship. Maddy has a secret from her past that haunts her and surrounded by unexpected friendships maybe she’ll be brave enough to let her past go? A beautiful book.

[Vivienne Ross]

YA Verse Novel - loss and shame, using poetry, nature and friendship to deal with trauma and the past.

[Olivia Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve never read a novel written in verse before. It was perfect - so much story was told by those short sentences. Thoroughly recommend.

[Text Publishing]

The following reviews have been shared by Text Publishing - publisher of Birdy:

‘The story is told in such a simple, beautiful way, and I found myself quite lost in it. Maddy is such a sweet character, and her struggles are so relatable. Following along as she makes new friends and grows into herself was an absolute delight—heart-wrenching, captivating, and beautiful.’
Constant Reader

‘An exquisite young adult verse novel that delves into the pain of loss and trauma and the healing balm of friendship, from the highly acclaimed author of The Art of Taxidermy.’
Where The Wild Things Are

‘A compelling novel about how we cope with the past versus how we move forward.’
Novel Feelings

‘Excellent ...Birdy is a mystery woven on many levels and a delight to read.’
ChildMags

‘Kernot effectively weaves through the intricate challenges of the healing journey, secrets, and moving on from past adversities, and the revitalising effects of forming human connections and experiences.’
Good Reading

‘The lyrical verse is very easy to read, but also thought-provoking…Deals with themes of trauma, bullying and loss, but also the more positive concepts of environment, friendship and healing…Highly recommended.’
CBCA Reading Time

[Lucy · Rating 1 out of 5]

When i saw the reviews i asked myself if we were reading the same thing because every second I read this was thoroughly not enjoyed. Amelies review was the only honest one. It wasnt THAT bad but you couldnt pay me to read it again. there is ZERO plot throughout the entire book until the end where it changes from this healing/recovering from trauma book into a murder mystery about this random old ladys missing daughter from years ago??? Pick a genre.

[Jemreadsbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had to read this for the Shadow Judging Competion!
I enjoyed the premise of this book, Maddy being mute and the whole written in poetry.
My main issue with this book written in poetry is I didn't know where we were and who was talking. I couldn't decipher whether it was Maddy thinking, talking or someone else talking.

I was a bit confused about the ending as well.

[Kallie Alviano · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW what a book. About Loss. Shame. Acceptance. Recovery. And growth. Beautifully written in prose, very engaging makes for a quick read. The characters are well rounded & strong, the setting is so refreshingly Australian without being stereotypical. You can picture yourself there. Highly recommended

[ruby :) · Rating 2 out of 5]

anxious girl romanticizes the fuck out of a missing girls life

WDYM YOU SNUCK INTO HER ROOM AND TOOK HER JOURNAL💔💔 IF I WAS ALICE SHE WOULD NEVER BE ALLOWED BACK INTO MY HOME

[Novel Feelings · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Birdy unfolds through Maddy’s poetry. The prose results in the novel being highly introspective, giving us an intimate window into Maddy’s thoughts and emotions as she adjusts to life with her family in a new town. However, as a result, Birdy is also minimalistic in many ways. It is a quick read, though at the expense of secondary character growth or B-plot. (Note: the prose is very accessibly written, so if you’re not a poetry fan you may still enjoy this read).

The novel centres around Maddy’s anxiety, rumination, and subsequent challenges with speaking to those outside of her family. This is one of the very few novels I’ve read which has touched on selective mutism (or, as it is increasingly referred to: situational mutism). Overall, I felt that this was handled accurately and empathetically. It was also nice to see Maddy’s rather positive relationship with her therapist, and their telehealth sessions woven into the prose.

Over time, the reader learns more about the catalysing incident which led Maddy to retreat into herself, and her strong, subsequent feelings of shame. This reminded me of a conversation I had with another psychologist a few years prior, where we discussed how unlike most emotions, shame is not particularly useful; it bogs us down rather than propelling us to make positive changes. I enjoyed seeing Maddy’s growth as she began to address the negative interpretations of the incident which were driving her shame.

We also see Maddy’s life intertwine with the mystery of teenager Birdy’s disappearance nearly fifty years prior. Due to the minimalistic writing style, readers don’t get a huge amount of detail of past events, though there is enough information to result in some degree of closure for both characters and readers. Despite the novel’s name, the story is much more about Maddy’s inner turmoil than it is about Birdy’s disappearance.

Overall, Birdy is a compelling novel about how we cope with the past versus how we move forward. I recommend this novel for readers who are looking for an introspective novel that is a little different.

Thank you to Text Publishing for providing us a copy of the book in exchange for a review.

Review by Elise from Novel Feelings blog and podcast - where two psychologists take a deep dive into your favourite books

[Alida · Rating 4 out of 5]

With thanks to ‘Books+Publishing’ magazine for the ARC and the opportunity to review.

In this compelling YA verse novel by CBCA award-winning author Sharon Kernot (The Art of Taxidermy), we meet Maddy, who began experiencing selective mutism and anxiety after an unnamed incident. The opening poems set the scene as Maddy and her family move to the country to recuperate. There, we meet Alice, an older woman some consider ‘bonkers’, who has been waiting for her teenage daughter, Birdy, to come home since she disappeared 45 years earlier. When Maddy and Alice cross paths, this triggers an instant connection.

The novel deals with themes of friendship, family, grief and connections to community and place, and it gently touches on heavier issues, including consent, bullying and trauma. The dual mysteries are intriguing; Kernot expertly contrasts Maddy’s incident with that of Alice’s missing daughter, bringing the past to the fore and illuminating the cultural context of the era. The characters, including Maddy’s brother, her parents, and her new friend Levi, are convincingly portrayed, with Maddy’s first-person point of view, introspections and frustrations being particularly moving.

The language is evocative and lyrical, with each poem having concise titles. The layout and changing cadence of the poems enhance the reading experience; for example, one poem shaped like a tornado effectively shows a blustery day. Fans of Sarah Crossan will be hooked by this hope-filled story of how small acts of kindness make a big impact on everyone.

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kernot's use of free verse is perfect for this novel that deals with trauma and loss and moving forward. Maddie, is almost mute and withdrawn after an 'incident' at a party that is not fully revealed until near the end of the book. The family has moved to a small country town for the summer and this solitude suits Maddie writes verse in her diary and, with the support of her mother and younger brother and online therapist, gradually starts to interact. Slightly older, Levi, who works in the local shop, is non judgemental, and a friendship starts to kindle. Elderly and solitary Alice stuck in a run down and cluttered house is dealing with her own loss many years ago when her daughter, Birdy, disappeared.

The historical elements, todl through Birdy's poetic diary entries, add a different perspective on a similar trauma and a less positive way of coping with loss. It also throws light on the impact of the impact of the atomic testing at Maralinga on the local people, environment and unwitting participants, including Alice, and the harm that was done. Although a sub theme in the book, Kernot's sparse verse prompts the reader to investigate this further.

"People talk abut
Hiroshima, Chernobyl, Fukushima
but what abou
Maralinga?

This is our history
It happened here." (p. 90, Kernot)

CBCA 2025 Older Reader Honour Award

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Told in verse, Birdy is the story of Maddy who has become a selective mute after an unnamed incident. Full of shame, regret and guilt, Maddy has withdrawn from the world and, along with her mother and younger brother, has sought refuge in an old farmhouse where she can recover. Here she meets Alice, an older woman considered 'mad' by the locals.

Alice lost her teenage daughter, Birdy, forty-five years ago but still waits for her return. Alice and Maddy form a connection when they meet and gradually help each other heal.

Birdy was a compelling read. Stark, lyrical and haunting, the author's writing is beautiful and Maddy's pain is palpable. I thought the two mysteries worked well together. Readers slowly learn what happened to the two teens, and both stories are heartbreaking. Although Birdy is about loss, trauma and shame, it is also a novel that focuses on healing, forgiveness and friendship - a wonderful read.

[Granny Weatherwax · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first picked this up, I almost put it back down again. I thought that I wouldn't enjoy a novel written in verse, but I was oh so wrong.
Birdy tells the story of Maddy, a teenage girl who has been mute since The Incident, but it is not just Maddy's story. Kernot expertly weaves so many other characters into Maddy's life and their interactions are beautifully described in so few words.
We grieve with Alice and Bert for their lost babies and then again with Alice and Birdy when Bert dies so tragically in a way that is connected to their lost babies and again with Alice when her miracle daughter Alice disappears.
We feel Maddy's burning humiliation and shame from The Incident and appreciate the true friendship that she builds with Levi.
I would highly recommend this to anyone- teenager or adult.

[Jen Nishi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartbreakingly beautiful read. The younger reviewers of this book are correct, there is not a lot of action here. The beauty of this book comes in the introspective nature of the verse. It is Maddy looking at her life, at what happened, and learning things about life and herself. It is beautiful and reminds me a lot of the NIV from decades ago “Speak”. I just wanted to wrap Maddy in a hug and tell her she would survive things that one day she would be ok. Love the supportive nature of her family and new friends. Love the haunting parallels between Maddy and Birdy and Birdy’s whole story. Tears were shed with this book but my heart feels so at peace and full after reading it.

[Penny Waring · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful verse novel about family, friends, grief and redemption.

Maddy and her family are on a country retreat of sorts. Maddy has selective mutism following a traumatic incident that unravels slowly for the reader as the story progresses. The new small-town environment provides necessary distance from the incident and the opportunity for Maddy to build new connections. A devastating discovery brings closure to the community while a new friendship helps Maddy find closure for her own inciting incident.

Ages 13+

[Ms Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A raw exploration of loss. I couldn’t put this down. Despite the emotional weight of the story, I felt myself smiling, hopefully and tenderly, through most of it. The writing is superb and characters so carefully crafted. Retreating from her past, Maddy and her family head to a small country town for a break. With the help of her family and new friends, it is here that Maddy finds her voice once more. A sense of purpose and the support of all the people she encounters (particularly herself) help Maddy move through her grief.

14+ years

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maddy is having trouble overcoming trauma, so her mother packs her and her younger brother up for a holiday over the summer in a little sleepy country town to do some healing.
The voice in this read young, but the MC recounts going out to a party and getting drunk before some stuff went down, so I have to hope she was at least fifteen in the story.
There’s some historical info, a little bit of a mystery to solve, and just a quiet sort of time for self-reflecting and exploration. Lots of feelings packed in here.
I can see why this made the CBWA shortlist this year.

[Annie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly let me say I am 68 and this is a Young Adult Genre at my library. It is written in the form of Poetry but was not what I know Poetry to be. The story is spoken from a young girl having been through an horriffic Incident. Beautiful characters with their own stories to bring this Book together.
Please read it. Any age, but let me assure you I am advising the young staff at my local library to read and I am taking off the shelf another of Sharon Kernot's today. Amazing, Beautiful, Lessons to learn.
Leaves you feeling Happy, Blessed and thoughtful. Stays with you.

[Allie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read as part of the CBCA shortlist.
Verse novel that definitely had my captured. Maddy in a new town with a past that haunts her enough to make her mute.
She makes friends with Levi who doesn't judge and Alice who has her own sad story and is still waiting for her daughter to come home after many years.
It's a lovely story of kinship and trust and acceptance and also sadness when we find out what happened to Alice's daughter. Really enjoyed it.
Year 7 up