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Aurora County #2
Each Little Bird That Sings
Ten-year-old Comfort Snowberger has attended 247 funerals. But that's not surprising, considering that her family runs the town funeral home. And even though Great-uncle Edisto keeled over with a heart attack and Great-great-aunt Florentine dropped dead—just like that—six months later, Comfort knows how to deal with loss, or so she thinks. She's more concerned with avoiding her crazy cousin Peach and trying to figure out why her best friend, Declaration, suddenly won't talk to her. Life is full of surprises. And the biggest one of all is learning what it takes to handle them.
Deborah Wiles has created a unique, funny, and utterly real cast of characters in this heartfelt, and quintessentially Southern coming-of-age novel. Comfort will charm young readers with her wit, her warmth, and her struggles as she learns about life, loss, and ultimately, triumph.
Deborah Wiles has created a unique, funny, and utterly real cast of characters in this heartfelt, and quintessentially Southern coming-of-age novel. Comfort will charm young readers with her wit, her warmth, and her struggles as she learns about life, loss, and ultimately, triumph.
Paperback
First published March 1, 2005
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3693 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Wiles
20 books427 followersDeborah Wiles is the author of several highly acclaimed books, including the beloved Love, Ruby Lavender and two National Book Award finalists–Each Little Bird That Sings and Revolution. Her first picture book, Freedom Summer, received the Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award. She is also an NAACP Book Award finalist, E.B. White Award winner, Golden Kite Award winner, Jane Addams Peace Award Finalist, and recipient of a PEN Phyllis Reynolds Naylor Working Writer Fellowship. Her most recent novel is for young adults, Kent State. Her newest picture book, Simple Thanks, was published in 2024. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia. You can visit her on the web at deborahwiles.com, write with her at Storybelly.com, and follow her on social media platforms at @deborahwilesbooks.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,057 reviews
March 11, 2012
I have read Each Little Bird That Sings twenty-seven times. One summer, I read it three times in one week. In seventh grade I could recite the first five pages from memory. Though slightly childish, Each Little Bird That Sings remains, to this day, my favourite book. Deborah Wiles created characters I considered some of my best friends. I cried when they cried, laughed when they laughed, saw what they saw. Comfort became my sister, Peach my cousin. I was mad at Declaration, and I missed Great-great-aunt Florentine. Each Little Bird That Sings is intense, thought-provoking, and moving. Deborah Wiles links family, friendship, pets, death, and tuna sandwiches with a graceful plot line, and I can't help but read it over and over and over.
August 15, 2007
Can I just say how much I lovedlovedloved this book? Incredible characterization. Quirky, unique names. Heart-wrenching speeches. Wow.
Deborah Wiles has such talent. I was in Snapfinger, Mississippi. I could see the inside of Snowberger's Funeral Home. I was terrified on the rock with Comfort and Dismay. (And annoying Peach.) I wanted to slap Declaration's snooty face. And I was most definitely inside Comfort's closet with her as she sat with her mayonnaise jar of freshly-sharpened pencils.
I cannot say enough great things about this one!
Deborah Wiles has such talent. I was in Snapfinger, Mississippi. I could see the inside of Snowberger's Funeral Home. I was terrified on the rock with Comfort and Dismay. (And annoying Peach.) I wanted to slap Declaration's snooty face. And I was most definitely inside Comfort's closet with her as she sat with her mayonnaise jar of freshly-sharpened pencils.
I cannot say enough great things about this one!
January 21, 2020
I knew nothing of the premise. Sometimes when we go to the library I get a random book and this was one.
I thought the first chapter was interesting but after that my interest went downhill. It's about a tightknit family that owns a funeral home & loses 2 family members; told in the narrative of a 10-yr-old girl... Cool? Nope.
I skimmed most of the book until the end. I was very bored. The storyline would not get to the point.
All the characters had stupid names like Peach, Comfort, Tidings, Declarations... I felt like I was in the Kardashian household.
I thought the first chapter was interesting but after that my interest went downhill. It's about a tightknit family that owns a funeral home & loses 2 family members; told in the narrative of a 10-yr-old girl... Cool? Nope.
I skimmed most of the book until the end. I was very bored. The storyline would not get to the point.
All the characters had stupid names like Peach, Comfort, Tidings, Declarations... I felt like I was in the Kardashian household.
April 17, 2010
Favorite Quotes:
“A real friend sees past the trouble and into your heart.”
“It takes courage to look life in the eye and say yes to the messy glory.”
“Open your arms to life! Let it strut into your heart in all its messy glory!”
“It’s not how you die that makes the important impression, it’s how you live.”
“Everything had a grand purpose, and there was nothing amiss in the universe; it was our job to adjust to whatever came our way.”
“Think of disappointment as a happy little surprise.”
“There’s always something good to come out of disappointment.”
“Death doesn’t respect plans or the weather.”
“Death is hard. Death is sad. But death is part of life. When someone you know dies, it’s your job to keep on living.”
“We live to serve.”
“A real friend sees past the trouble and into your heart.”
“It takes courage to look life in the eye and say yes to the messy glory.”
“Open your arms to life! Let it strut into your heart in all its messy glory!”
“It’s not how you die that makes the important impression, it’s how you live.”
“Everything had a grand purpose, and there was nothing amiss in the universe; it was our job to adjust to whatever came our way.”
“Think of disappointment as a happy little surprise.”
“There’s always something good to come out of disappointment.”
“Death doesn’t respect plans or the weather.”
“Death is hard. Death is sad. But death is part of life. When someone you know dies, it’s your job to keep on living.”
“We live to serve.”
February 11, 2013
I read it on the way back from our phenomenal trip to the mountains. It is sad in nature but light-hearted too. And at one point in the novel, the tears flooded and I pretty much cried all the way home. I stopped thirty pages short of finishing because it was just too intense...but I have to say, if you plan to read the book, give yourself a good three hours to read it non-stop because it really does build up and provide that overall "feeling" of the nature of the story.
It is a wonderful story. Sweet, sweet, sweet as can be. The characters are so heartwarmingly adorable. The story is richly fresh and pure. I don't know quite how to describe how enjoyable this book is to read -- to live in it's 259 page world was a great pleasure.
The protagonist of this beautiful novel is 10 year old Comfort Snowberger. Comfort lives with her family, who run the town of Snapfinger, Mississippi's funeral home. And death, while constant in this family business, is not a way to be sad always but to live life...and liver to serve.
We meet Comfort's family & friends: Declaration - her BFF, Dismay - Funeral Dog extraordinaire, Peach - her annoying cousin, Great-Uncle Edisto - a favorite uncle, Tidings - her big brother, and Great-Great-Aunt Florentine...among many many other wonderful people.
I don't want to tell too much of the story as I believe, the element of its spell would be broken if I breathed one word of it.
I had no idea what this book was truly before reading it and thus I became enraptured with Comfort and her story. I laughed. I got mad. I got very mad. I laughed. I hurt. And then I cried. And cried...and cried.
This year is a year for me to read multiple books by one author: Stephanie Meyers, Anita Diamant and now, Deborah Wiles...for there is no way I can not NOT read more of her books.
It is a wonderful story. Sweet, sweet, sweet as can be. The characters are so heartwarmingly adorable. The story is richly fresh and pure. I don't know quite how to describe how enjoyable this book is to read -- to live in it's 259 page world was a great pleasure.
The protagonist of this beautiful novel is 10 year old Comfort Snowberger. Comfort lives with her family, who run the town of Snapfinger, Mississippi's funeral home. And death, while constant in this family business, is not a way to be sad always but to live life...and liver to serve.
We meet Comfort's family & friends: Declaration - her BFF, Dismay - Funeral Dog extraordinaire, Peach - her annoying cousin, Great-Uncle Edisto - a favorite uncle, Tidings - her big brother, and Great-Great-Aunt Florentine...among many many other wonderful people.
I don't want to tell too much of the story as I believe, the element of its spell would be broken if I breathed one word of it.
I had no idea what this book was truly before reading it and thus I became enraptured with Comfort and her story. I laughed. I got mad. I got very mad. I laughed. I hurt. And then I cried. And cried...and cried.
This year is a year for me to read multiple books by one author: Stephanie Meyers, Anita Diamant and now, Deborah Wiles...for there is no way I can not NOT read more of her books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2012
Oh how I love this tale! Told from the perspective of ten year old Comfort Snowberger whose family owns the small town funeral home, this is such a delightful book that each page is filled with humor, poignancy and wisdom.
No stranger to the grief of others, Comfort witnessed 247 funerals. When funeral #248 is that of her beloved Great, Great Aunt Florence, quickly followed by funeral #248 of loving, kind Uncle Edisto, Comfort realizes that "Life is full of surprises, not all of them good."
When her childhood friend betrays her and her cousin Peach gets on her every last nerve, she has her wonderful dog Dismay to get her through.
spoiler --- When Dismay tragically is lost, Comfort's grief is severe. Realizing that we grieve in equal measure to the love we received and give, Comfort incredibly shines through.
This is a book of hope, of sunshine through the rain, of images that melt your heart and then make you laugh right out loud.
With characters named Tidings, Comfort, Dismay, Baby Merry, Declaration and Peach, the creativity leaps from the pages.
Highly Recommended!
No stranger to the grief of others, Comfort witnessed 247 funerals. When funeral #248 is that of her beloved Great, Great Aunt Florence, quickly followed by funeral #248 of loving, kind Uncle Edisto, Comfort realizes that "Life is full of surprises, not all of them good."
When her childhood friend betrays her and her cousin Peach gets on her every last nerve, she has her wonderful dog Dismay to get her through.
spoiler --- When Dismay tragically is lost, Comfort's grief is severe. Realizing that we grieve in equal measure to the love we received and give, Comfort incredibly shines through.
This is a book of hope, of sunshine through the rain, of images that melt your heart and then make you laugh right out loud.
With characters named Tidings, Comfort, Dismay, Baby Merry, Declaration and Peach, the creativity leaps from the pages.
Highly Recommended!
September 30, 2011
I loved this book! If you like "Because of Winn-Dixie", you will probably love this book, too!
February 5, 2021
After reading Love, Ruby Lavender with my 10 year old granddaughter and enjoying it so much, we continued on with the second book of Aurora County. While Ruby Lavender is not a character in this book, there were just as endearing characters in Each Little Bird That Sings. The author handles situations of young people experiencing death of a loved one in a special way (might I say a Southern way). This book will make you laugh out loud and shed a few tears (even grandmothers!). I have to say I mostly agree with Comfort about her cousin Peach, he was annoying most of the time! Funny that a lot of the family has names from the Christmas carol God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen!
December 4, 2020
Each Little Bird that Sings is a great book about friendship, trust, and funerals. Ten-year-old Comfort Snowberger has attended 247 funerals. But that's not a surprise because her family runs a funeral home. She has learned how to deal with loss and/or what she thinks. What was in her way was that her crazy cousin Peach and her best friend Declaration has been mysteriously quiet. Life is full of surprises, the events that turn out in this book are mesmerizing. Confort is a smart, emotional, stubborn, and friendly kid. She knows things about loss, but after losing her dog, she is completely new to the subject. The author, Deborah Wiles, portrays the main character very well. She also has appointed very unique characteristics to the characters in the book. This book is a very enjoyable book I would recommend this book to people who are interested in this book. I hope you have the chance to read this awesome book.
April 12, 2023
I loved this book. I didn't read it at a super fast pace, but maybe it's just because I enjoyed savoring it. I loved this book, because like the main character's name suggests, it filled me with comfort. I love all of the characters and I feel like I felt fit to know then well by the end of the story. While I would NOT want to live in a funeral home, the Snowburgers actually make it seem very enticing.
For any readers that like a slow paced story that makes you fall in love with the characters, this is a great book.
For any readers that like a slow paced story that makes you fall in love with the characters, this is a great book.
August 8, 2023
*audio book*
What an adorable heart wrenching story about a little girl who grows up in a funeral home, and her desire to write obituaries that are true. A story of true sacrifice amidst hard decisions making. I loved this book so much and will read the rest of the series!
What an adorable heart wrenching story about a little girl who grows up in a funeral home, and her desire to write obituaries that are true. A story of true sacrifice amidst hard decisions making. I loved this book so much and will read the rest of the series!
November 1, 2023
once a week in elementary school we would go to the library and check out a book, and there was a period of time during which i would re-check out and re-read this book every single week. friends, read the book's description and ask yourselves why no one during this time thought to wonder if i was seriously troubled?!?!?! but actually it's the sweetest book of all time and i will recommend it forever
June 23, 2024
I think this book wins the number one slot for most tears shed. This book was so good but so sad. Also I hate stupid peach.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2018
It is an awsome book when I finished it I was wating to read her next book!!!! Their are death’s but it a great book!!😍🥰🥳 (Kate, age 9)
October 23, 2010
The Snowberger family owns and operates a funeral home in Snapfinger, Mississippi. The three children—named Tidings, Comfort and Merry (the last presumably because the mom’s name is already Joy) have grown up around death, and they understand it in a healthy and respectful kind of way.
Toddler Merry naps in an empty casket while her parents work and has a little bit of trouble distinguishing between people who are sleeping and those who are actually dead. Thirteen year old Tidings (who must be based on the same person in Deborah Wiles' life that inspired Uncle Otts in her later book "Countdown.")keeps the grounds shipshape and directs parking for large funerals.
And because the kids attend every funeral hosted by the business, 10-year-old Comfort has been to 247 of them. She also submits hilarious obituaries to the local newspaper, “Life Notices by Comfort Snowberger: Explorer, Recipe Tester, and Funeral Reporter."
This is a difficult time in Comfort's life as she deals with the deaths of beloved older family members as well as a bad break-up with her best friend, and she has been put in charge of her annoying, whining, nervous little cousin Peach. And nothing in her experience, where death is just a usual part of life, prepares her for true loss. I can’t remember the last time I cried so hard at the end of a book. The story is beautifully warm, funny, honest, heartbreaking, and heartening. It’s probably my favorite book this year.
Toddler Merry naps in an empty casket while her parents work and has a little bit of trouble distinguishing between people who are sleeping and those who are actually dead. Thirteen year old Tidings (who must be based on the same person in Deborah Wiles' life that inspired Uncle Otts in her later book "Countdown.")keeps the grounds shipshape and directs parking for large funerals.
And because the kids attend every funeral hosted by the business, 10-year-old Comfort has been to 247 of them. She also submits hilarious obituaries to the local newspaper, “Life Notices by Comfort Snowberger: Explorer, Recipe Tester, and Funeral Reporter."
This is a difficult time in Comfort's life as she deals with the deaths of beloved older family members as well as a bad break-up with her best friend, and she has been put in charge of her annoying, whining, nervous little cousin Peach. And nothing in her experience, where death is just a usual part of life, prepares her for true loss. I can’t remember the last time I cried so hard at the end of a book. The story is beautifully warm, funny, honest, heartbreaking, and heartening. It’s probably my favorite book this year.
February 1, 2009
Summary: Comfort Snowberger's family owns a funeral home, so she is used to death. First her Uncle Edisto dies, and then her Aunt Florentine. She dislikes her cousin, Peach, very much, and does not want him near her, ever. Her best friend, Declaration, starts acting really weird and mean and Comfort is very upset. At Aunt Florentine's funeral, Comfort, Peach, Declaration, and Comfort's beloved dog, Dismay, start walking to the cemetery but get caught in a flash flood after Declaration says some awful things to Peach. Comfort must save Peach and accidentally loses Dismay in the process. Though she loves her family, the loss of Dismay at such an unexpected and horrible time really upsets Comfort. At Dismay's funeral, the town shares their good stories about Dismay, the funeral dog, and Declaration finally starts to be nice again. Comfort realizes she does love Peach since she saved him, and they become friends, though Peach still really bugs her.
Evaluation: This book was actually really heart-wrenching when Dismay gets lost. I loved how real the feelings were, how Comfort acted exactly like a stubborn little girl that has been betrayed by her best friend. Though it started off slow, I really enjoyed this book. I think it would be a great read-aloud book for younger kids.
Evaluation: This book was actually really heart-wrenching when Dismay gets lost. I loved how real the feelings were, how Comfort acted exactly like a stubborn little girl that has been betrayed by her best friend. Though it started off slow, I really enjoyed this book. I think it would be a great read-aloud book for younger kids.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 22, 2008
Omg this book was great but made me cry like, 10 times and I am not an easy crier! Animal lovers will love it and sob along w/ me!
March 12, 2009
I cried for the entire last two discs. Not such a great way to start the work day. [sob:]
August 2, 2015
Yes, this is a book written for children and I adored this sweet story. I'm off to buy my own copy to add to my read again shelf.
September 8, 2018
Just, what? This book took me from amused to tears-streaming-down-my-cheeks in like ten pages.
And it was wonderful. I can't talk about much without giving stuff away. (It's a kids' chapter book, you say, how surprising can it be? As surprising as a book with a dog named Dismay and a cousin named Peach might be.)
Just, yeah. I loved it. Way more than I expected to. So much whimsy wrapped up in reality and death and life and flowers.
My one complaint: we never actually find out why Declaration turned mean in the first place. In a way, I like it? Cause I can guess at her reasons in my head and come up with good ideas, but kids might not be able to.
Also, as much as I loved so much of this, it needed Jesus. Their hope and faith and joy was real, but it was shallow because it wasn't founded on anything solid. They needed Jesus' hope. Now obviously I can read this as a Christian and think, yes, I have this same joy because ______. Or, I should have joy like that because ______. But Jesus is clearly missing from the book itself. As He is from many books.
But yeah, I want more Deborah Wiles, please and thank you.
And it was wonderful. I can't talk about much without giving stuff away. (It's a kids' chapter book, you say, how surprising can it be? As surprising as a book with a dog named Dismay and a cousin named Peach might be.)
Just, yeah. I loved it. Way more than I expected to. So much whimsy wrapped up in reality and death and life and flowers.
My one complaint: we never actually find out why Declaration turned mean in the first place. In a way, I like it? Cause I can guess at her reasons in my head and come up with good ideas, but kids might not be able to.
Also, as much as I loved so much of this, it needed Jesus. Their hope and faith and joy was real, but it was shallow because it wasn't founded on anything solid. They needed Jesus' hope. Now obviously I can read this as a Christian and think, yes, I have this same joy because ______. Or, I should have joy like that because ______. But Jesus is clearly missing from the book itself. As He is from many books.
But yeah, I want more Deborah Wiles, please and thank you.
September 26, 2017
After finishing Love, Ruby Lavender I immediately started the second book in the loosely connected Aurora County series.
Each Little Bird That Sings was just chock-full of wonderful characters. I loved Comfort, I loved her family. They were all so wonderfully drawn and believable. Comfort is the same age as my daughter and I could hear and see my daughter in Comfort. She was such a realistic character.
Like Love, Ruby Lavender the story deals with death and packs a bit of an emotional punch but Wiles tells a beautiful story.
I love Deborah Wiles writing and I love this book!
Each Little Bird That Sings was just chock-full of wonderful characters. I loved Comfort, I loved her family. They were all so wonderfully drawn and believable. Comfort is the same age as my daughter and I could hear and see my daughter in Comfort. She was such a realistic character.
Like Love, Ruby Lavender the story deals with death and packs a bit of an emotional punch but Wiles tells a beautiful story.
I love Deborah Wiles writing and I love this book!
March 18, 2019
Un libro precioso, con unos personajes adorables (aunque he odiado a alguno) pero es el tipo de libro cuyos personajes consiguen ganarse tu corazón cuando se arrepienten de sus errores y te muestran lo humanos que son. Con un mensaje optimista, alegre y con luz. Me ha gustado cómo se ha tratado el tema de la muerte en el libro, como algo natural, que forma parte de la vida y que necesitas asumir. Un libro que debería leer todo el mundo, que entretiene, que te hace reír y emocionarte. Sin duda ha sido un gran descubrimiento. Me ha encantado.
June 29, 2023
I remember this being the first book that made me cry when I was younger. It was so nice to read it again years later and see how it is still so relatable. Even for it being a kids books, there are really important themes about life and death. Definitely recommend picking up an old childhood favorite at some point!!
July 5, 2019
It took me a bit to get into it but a nice story .
August 5, 2022
It was good 😊
April 26, 2017
sad
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 15, 2023
Excellent narrator and book. Wonderful characters. I am not sure how to describe this book. Most of the book deals with death and celebrating life (and celebrating those who have died). It's a difficult topic, but this book handles it so well. It's very sad in certain parts, but ultimately has a good outcome. Highly recommend.
February 9, 2018
The perfect book after a year of both mourning my papa’s death and losing my dog for 12 days. Comfort shares some of life’s most important lessons dealing with friendship, family, and death... with bells on.
September 24, 2023
i’m always astounded by books that are able to gently but firmly teach children about loss, and life, and love - not an easy task. and somehow it’s these stories that tug on my heartstrings the most. this was a very nice reread, and i almost appreciate it more now that i’m quite a bit older than the main character. this sort of topic is never easy to grapple with at any age, and this book shows that that’s perfectly normal and okay.
May 2, 2016
“Each Little Bird That Sings” by Deborah Wiles
GR Level: T, Lexile Level: 800, Grade: 5, Publisher: Harcourt Inc., 2005, Genre: Children’s Fiction, Chapter Book, Pages: 247
Comfort Snowberger is a young girl whose family owns a funeral parlor and has been given the responsibility of taking care of her young cousin Peach. Comfort is “used to” funerals and knows the in-and-outs of her family’s business. When her aunt dies unexpectedly however, she must confront death in a different manner. This makes it her 248 funeral but this time there is nowhere to hide and nobody to avoid but her family. Comfort must come to terms with the grief this has brought especially when her uncle later dies as well and her best friend starts acting very mean. With the help of her dog, Dismay, Comfort has to resist sitting in her closet alone and come out and be with her family in their time of need. This story gives a look into the perspective of a loss in a family from a young girl’s point of view. It also shows the responsibilities that some people have and how they are affected when tragedy strikes.
One teaching idea would be to have the students write a letter to someone in their life that has died. It could be a family member, friend or even a celebrity for the students who may not have experienced a loss. The students would have to include why they miss this person, what was special about them and if they could see them for one more day, what they would do together. (W.5.4, W.5.2)
Another teaching idea would be to have a discussion with all students about some of the challenges Comfort faced within the book. The students would then give ways and helpful hints to Comfort about how she could confront her problems and help herself and her family. (W.5.1)
GR Level: T, Lexile Level: 800, Grade: 5, Publisher: Harcourt Inc., 2005, Genre: Children’s Fiction, Chapter Book, Pages: 247
Comfort Snowberger is a young girl whose family owns a funeral parlor and has been given the responsibility of taking care of her young cousin Peach. Comfort is “used to” funerals and knows the in-and-outs of her family’s business. When her aunt dies unexpectedly however, she must confront death in a different manner. This makes it her 248 funeral but this time there is nowhere to hide and nobody to avoid but her family. Comfort must come to terms with the grief this has brought especially when her uncle later dies as well and her best friend starts acting very mean. With the help of her dog, Dismay, Comfort has to resist sitting in her closet alone and come out and be with her family in their time of need. This story gives a look into the perspective of a loss in a family from a young girl’s point of view. It also shows the responsibilities that some people have and how they are affected when tragedy strikes.
One teaching idea would be to have the students write a letter to someone in their life that has died. It could be a family member, friend or even a celebrity for the students who may not have experienced a loss. The students would have to include why they miss this person, what was special about them and if they could see them for one more day, what they would do together. (W.5.4, W.5.2)
Another teaching idea would be to have a discussion with all students about some of the challenges Comfort faced within the book. The students would then give ways and helpful hints to Comfort about how she could confront her problems and help herself and her family. (W.5.1)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,057 reviews