Why the Sparrow Cries

by Hope Bolinger

Harper hates crowds and has a strong distaste for humanity in general. A summer spent in the bustling city of London was not on her bucket list—especially not tagging along behind her nagging mother.But when a teen from the Greek Dark Ages mysteriously appears in the very crowded British Museum, Harper decides to rescue the boy who’s even more out of place—and time—than she is. With the help of her uncle, they’ll need to keep Homer away from the British authorities, evade a tomb-robbing ex-archeologist, and figure out how to get this Palikari man back to his own time before he’s captured.As they escape near-kidnappings, terrible yogurt drinks, and Harper's mother's lectures, Harper finds herself warming up to Homer. Something that hasn't happened with anyone since the incident with her father back in Arizona.Will she learn to love again? Or will an ex-archeologist snag the historical find of the millennium—and the only person she’s felt safe around in years?

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary

280 pages, Paperback

Published February 1, 2024

Reviews

[James Trombka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always been a fan of time travel stories and this one didn't disappoint! Being a history nerd, I am a big fan of museums and Ancient Greece, which thankfully this book had a lot of! I enjoyed the main protagonist in this story and loved seeing her progression and shift throughout the book. The book is set in London and the surrounding areas, which was also a fun escape as I have never been to England, but hope one day to be able to. I'm excited for the sequel to come out soon as I'm excited to rejoin the characters for their next adventure. Please do yourself a favor and read this book! :)

[Joey Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up because of the cover and blurb. It was a delightful read with mystery, intrigue, and a little bit of romance in there too. I adored Harper, she was so relatable and just so real. Homie was such an engaging character and the way things all came together at the end had me on the edge of my seat. Bolinger has a way of pulling you into her stories and making you want to live in them for as long as possible. This was a read I managed in one sitting and I adored it from start to finish. It’s definitely one that I very much recommend!

[Nathan Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bolinger's premises are usually one-of-a-kind, but this one surpasses all of her other books that I have read. As a long-time movie buff and former film critic, this book made me feel like I was sitting in the theater watching my favorite kind of movie: the kind that keeps me guessing.

The moral dilemma earns every bit of the indulgence that the story takes in it. There are no goofy sci-fi tropes, and the story is refreshingly light on any over-the-top attempts at genre fan service. Instead, the story opts for a sufficiently bizarre beginning that leaves that reader just as breathless as the characters. True fans of suspense and mystery know that this is a good thing; and they will be swept up in the patient, philosophical, and emotional pacing, which builds up to a climax that would make Vincent Price proud.

As the genre-bending journey takes form, it is the characters that turn out to be the real stars of the show. No matter how likable or unlikable the reader may find them, none of them bow off the stage without evoking empathy. There is always more at play (and at stake) than meets the eye, from timely exploration of trauma to an unflinching glimpse into a niche bit of history. Subtext is arguably the story's greatest strength, and I'm sure I'll revisit it one day to look for any Easter eggs I may have missed.

Readers should prepare for a distinctly experiential, risk-taking, convention-defying puzzle of a story. The impact it leaves is just as memorable as it is rewarding. The fact that a book like this exists is proof that original sagas are not dead. I can't wait to read the second half of the duology!

[Rachel Schoenberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a beautiful young adult contemporary story set in London. It all begins when a teenage girl named Harper visits the British Museum, only to encounter Homer, a literal time-travelling teenager from the Greek Dark Ages. As she struggles to get along with her mother, Harper must protect Homer from a mysterious stalker and figure out how to get him back to his own time. I loved Harper so much; she is one of the most relatable characters I have read about. There are many little details here I enjoyed seeing, from the funny Old Testament references to the fact that Harper's mom is named Livy Hesiod; I mean, how cool is that? If you love ancient history, neurodivergent representation, and books that touch on the subject of religion but are not preachy about it, Why the Sparrow Cries is a book you should definitely read.

[Hope Bolinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was the first book I found my voice. I didn't know the main character was autistic at the time—because I didn't know I was autistic at the time. It has come a long way in six years, and I am so excited for you to read this. A story about vulnerability, and allowing ourselves to be open to love.