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Sparrow
One, two, three, breath.
When a juvenile detention exercise off the coast of the Kimberley goes wrong, sixteen-year-old Sparrow must swim to shore. There are sharks and crocs around him but the monsters he fears most live in the dark spaces in his mind.
He's swimming away from his prison life and towards a desolate, rocky coastland and the hollow promise of freedom. He'll eat or be eaten, kill or be killed.
With no voice, no family and the odds stacked against him, Sparrow has nothing left to lose. But to survive he'll need something more potent than desperation, something more dangerous than a makeshift knife.
Hope.
When a juvenile detention exercise off the coast of the Kimberley goes wrong, sixteen-year-old Sparrow must swim to shore. There are sharks and crocs around him but the monsters he fears most live in the dark spaces in his mind.
He's swimming away from his prison life and towards a desolate, rocky coastland and the hollow promise of freedom. He'll eat or be eaten, kill or be killed.
With no voice, no family and the odds stacked against him, Sparrow has nothing left to lose. But to survive he'll need something more potent than desperation, something more dangerous than a makeshift knife.
Hope.
224 pages, Paperback
First published July 26, 2017
4 people are currently reading
232 people want to read
About the author
Scot Gardner
29 books57 followersScot Gardner wasn't born reading and writing; in fact, he left school in year eleven to undertake an apprenticeship in gardening with the local council. He has worked as a waiter, masseur, delivery truck driver, home dad, counselor, and musician.
These days he spends half the year writing and half the year on the road talking to people about his books and the craft of writing.
These days he spends half the year writing and half the year on the road talking to people about his books and the craft of writing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
September 8, 2021
3.5 Stars rounded up to 4.
CW:
Well that was gritty and gripping!
I was thrilled to discover this tense survival story with a male protagonist as they are currently under represented in YA fiction. It followed two different timelines as we follow Sparrow surviving after a boating accident, and surviving as a homeless child before the accident. I love that Sparrow found kind people who watched out for him and offered him the support he needed. It's wonderful to have such an engaging book to add to my booktalks.
I normally hide content warnings but this one is not a plot spoiler and think needs to be mentioned. There are a couple of quite stomach churning animal deaths in this survival novel so proceed with caution.
CW:
Well that was gritty and gripping!
I was thrilled to discover this tense survival story with a male protagonist as they are currently under represented in YA fiction. It followed two different timelines as we follow Sparrow surviving after a boating accident, and surviving as a homeless child before the accident. I love that Sparrow found kind people who watched out for him and offered him the support he needed. It's wonderful to have such an engaging book to add to my booktalks.
I normally hide content warnings but this one is not a plot spoiler and think needs to be mentioned. There are a couple of quite stomach churning animal deaths in this survival novel so proceed with caution.
May 16, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. Sparrow is such a well written, complex character with a lot of depth. He is silent throughout the majority of the book, but this really adds to him, as you see the other ways he finds to communicate; And it's great to hear what he is really thinking in all situations. Not everything ends up going his way, or working to plan and it was really good to see how he dealt with these issues as they arose.
I don't really know how to describe him as a character. He is so complex and well written that (just like a real person) you can't really write a description which really captures him accurately. If I were to attempt to describe him, then I would probably say that he is often scared, determined, courageous, factual, grateful, wry, hopeful and able to think about both the long and short term. His character was really well developped and enjoyable to read about.
I also really liked the writing style. The imagery throughout the novel really allows you to picture the different places, and the words are well chosen to describe the various areas. The Darwin streets are contrasted to the Kimberley coast which was really well done. It was great to see how Sparrow adapted to both the situations. Whilst they were vastly different, they both suited the story well and you really felt as though you were there when you were reading. I love the harsh reality described of the Darwin streets, his struggles to fit in and also just get by every day.
I also loved Sharky, and it was great seeing how he had compassion on Sparrow. Elsa was another interesting character and I would have loved to learn more about her. I also loved the Kimberley coast, with the stereotypical Australian setting. It was a really great place to read about, the wildlife especially was captured extremely well in writing. The two different settings both fit the story well and were fascinating to read about.
I really enjoyed both the Kimberly coast and Darwin street scenes, but sometimes I found it confusing transitioning between the two settings and times. I wish it was stated or made clearer at the beginning of each section where the events were happening to make the novel read more smoothly.
I also thought that the idea was well executed, but wished there was a major event in the middle of the book to keep it interesting. It would have been nice to have another complication to change it up a bit. There is not a moment when there is a significant even happening at the Kimberly coast and the flashbacks at the same time, and it can be disappointing switching from one to the other.
Overall though, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend that you give it a go!
I don't really know how to describe him as a character. He is so complex and well written that (just like a real person) you can't really write a description which really captures him accurately. If I were to attempt to describe him, then I would probably say that he is often scared, determined, courageous, factual, grateful, wry, hopeful and able to think about both the long and short term. His character was really well developped and enjoyable to read about.
I also really liked the writing style. The imagery throughout the novel really allows you to picture the different places, and the words are well chosen to describe the various areas. The Darwin streets are contrasted to the Kimberley coast which was really well done. It was great to see how Sparrow adapted to both the situations. Whilst they were vastly different, they both suited the story well and you really felt as though you were there when you were reading. I love the harsh reality described of the Darwin streets, his struggles to fit in and also just get by every day.
I also loved Sharky, and it was great seeing how he had compassion on Sparrow. Elsa was another interesting character and I would have loved to learn more about her. I also loved the Kimberley coast, with the stereotypical Australian setting. It was a really great place to read about, the wildlife especially was captured extremely well in writing. The two different settings both fit the story well and were fascinating to read about.
I really enjoyed both the Kimberly coast and Darwin street scenes, but sometimes I found it confusing transitioning between the two settings and times. I wish it was stated or made clearer at the beginning of each section where the events were happening to make the novel read more smoothly.
I also thought that the idea was well executed, but wished there was a major event in the middle of the book to keep it interesting. It would have been nice to have another complication to change it up a bit. There is not a moment when there is a significant even happening at the Kimberly coast and the flashbacks at the same time, and it can be disappointing switching from one to the other.
Overall though, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend that you give it a go!
June 4, 2017
A tight blend of survival story and commentary on contemporary society.
Sad and suspenseful. Sparrow is a genuine gentleman.
Sad and suspenseful. Sparrow is a genuine gentleman.
August 12, 2018
Once again Scot Gardner has provided his readers with a male protagonist who is doing it tough. Gardner doesn't pull any punches - visceral descriptions of Sparrow's upbringing are confronting and heartbreaking. Sparrow is strong and resourceful and he is fortunate to meet some empathic people. A gripping read tempered with hope.
September 15, 2017
One of the best books I've read this year! Scot Gardner is one of my favourite authors, he gets teenagers and he writes them well. This one is particularly good. It is the story of a boy called Sparrow, it takes place in dual time settings, beginning on an uninhabited island where he has washed up after his ship sinks, this island is far from idyllic, there are terrible creatures everywhere all of which want to hurt (or even eat) him. We also meet Sparrow before this happens when he is living on the street, helping out in cafes to try and get free food to keep himself from starving. We begin to find out how he ended up in this situation and there is nothing good about his past life. He has been abused, mistreated, lied to and abandoned. Despite all this Sparrow is loveable and kind to others.
Sparrow's journey from abandoned urchin to imprisoned youth is gripping. I fell in love with him from the very first sentence and I cried at some of the appalling things that happened to him. Sparrow's relationship with the cafe people is wonderfully written, very realistic, full of pathos and at times raw and edgy.
If you are looking for books for teenage boys just head out and buy all of his books for them. They are properly real and beautifully constructed, but their real beauty is in the characters of realistic boys who deal with the crap life throws at them in amazing ways. A real contender for my YA book of the year.
Sparrow's journey from abandoned urchin to imprisoned youth is gripping. I fell in love with him from the very first sentence and I cried at some of the appalling things that happened to him. Sparrow's relationship with the cafe people is wonderfully written, very realistic, full of pathos and at times raw and edgy.
If you are looking for books for teenage boys just head out and buy all of his books for them. They are properly real and beautifully constructed, but their real beauty is in the characters of realistic boys who deal with the crap life throws at them in amazing ways. A real contender for my YA book of the year.
September 24, 2017
Another terrific book by one of Australia's top writers of young adult fiction. A great concept in which the chapters swing from Sparrow battling to survive in a wild and dangerous environment, to Sparrow as a much younger boy, living off his wits and good nature on the streets of Darwin. There were times when Scot's prose reminded me of the best of Ernest Hemingway's stories.
June 10, 2024
This is amazing. I am lost in Sparrow's words.
"There were beasts in the water that would eat you alive if they caught you, but when it came down to it, they weren't as scary as the beasts in his head."
September 4, 2017
A gripping story. Sparrow grew up on the streets, a neglected and abused child. Young adults will also enjoy his survival story in the wilds of Australia amongst deadly snakes, crocodiles, goanna sand wild pigs. Good length for reluctant readers.
November 25, 2017
Sparrow is kind, respectful, brave and friendly. He's also resourceful and street savvy. He has to be - sleeping on a block of toilets at night, avoiding his brother and his paint sniffing gang of teens, and helping cafe owners with their chairs night and morning in payment for food.
Sparrow is a selective mute after a troubled childhood, and this story begins on a boat full of kids from juvie. A fire forces them into the croc and shark filled waters, and 16 year old Sparrow swims for his life to the far north Australian coastline. With determination and courage learnt on the streets of Darwin, he learns how to survive in the bush and mangroves.
This tale of survival is interspersed with chapters of his earlier life, people that have helped him, the reason for his mutism, and why he's called Sparrow.
But he's not alone on the coastline. Someone else escaped the burning boat. Someone who needs saving even more than him.
Sparrow is yet another compelling teen novel from this accomplished Australian author. This book is not only about survival. It's about loss, courage, love and hope for a future that seemed impossible to imagine.
Sparrow is a selective mute after a troubled childhood, and this story begins on a boat full of kids from juvie. A fire forces them into the croc and shark filled waters, and 16 year old Sparrow swims for his life to the far north Australian coastline. With determination and courage learnt on the streets of Darwin, he learns how to survive in the bush and mangroves.
This tale of survival is interspersed with chapters of his earlier life, people that have helped him, the reason for his mutism, and why he's called Sparrow.
But he's not alone on the coastline. Someone else escaped the burning boat. Someone who needs saving even more than him.
Sparrow is yet another compelling teen novel from this accomplished Australian author. This book is not only about survival. It's about loss, courage, love and hope for a future that seemed impossible to imagine.
May 11, 2018
In this gritty but well-rendered story, Scot Gardner tells us the story of Sparrow, child of an abusive childhood who, for most of the novel, is mute.
We meet Sparrow as he escapes from juvie, braving the crocodile-infested waters of the Kimberleys to find freedom. In flashbacks, we gain glimpses of his abusive childhood, of Sharky and other kinder adults who made his passage into teenage more bearable, teaching him life lessons along the way. We're well aware of Sparrow's character by the time we find out about his conviction. By then, his life hangs in the balance. Will he survive the wilderness or not?
Slowly, due to the locations of the story (Darwin and the Kimberleys) plus the behaviour of the 'ghost boys', we also become more aware of Sparrow's cultural heritage, realising the silent underlying message not just of a battler fighting against the odds but also the heavy weight of racism against minorities.
A thoughtful read. Sparrow will stay with me a long time.
We meet Sparrow as he escapes from juvie, braving the crocodile-infested waters of the Kimberleys to find freedom. In flashbacks, we gain glimpses of his abusive childhood, of Sharky and other kinder adults who made his passage into teenage more bearable, teaching him life lessons along the way. We're well aware of Sparrow's character by the time we find out about his conviction. By then, his life hangs in the balance. Will he survive the wilderness or not?
Slowly, due to the locations of the story (Darwin and the Kimberleys) plus the behaviour of the 'ghost boys', we also become more aware of Sparrow's cultural heritage, realising the silent underlying message not just of a battler fighting against the odds but also the heavy weight of racism against minorities.
A thoughtful read. Sparrow will stay with me a long time.
August 12, 2017
When I realised I had read from page 1 to 100 and not stopped and it was a work night, I knew this is good. Mr Gardner you are just wonderful, I loved The dead I know and now Sparrow has taken my heart. Plus A&U the cover is clever, clever, clever.
August 22, 2017
Sparrow's life has been less than ideal and he has become mute and lives on the streets. A supportive community feeds him in exchange for his help setting up chairs at the cafe. However, he is falsely accused of murdering his brother and ends up in juvie. He escapes and finds himself living off the sea and the land, fighting snakes, crocodiles, and illness. He finds a friend and he finds hope. This is a wonderful story and again, Gardner does not disappoint.
August 18, 2017
Regular readers of my reviews know that I am a Scot Gardner fan of many year's standing. This latest offering, Sparrow, was highly anticipated by me and I was not disappointed. Scot has written a book that will appeal to a younger audience as well as his usual YA readers - especially those who love adventure stories featuring survival against the odds.
Sparrow is still a deeply introspective book, delving into the main character's past and showing his soft underbelly, but it is equally a first-rate survival adventure story. Sparrow is tossed into the ocean off the coast of Darwin when a survival trip with his fellow juvenile detention inmates goes awry. He manages to make it to shore in one piece, but he is on his own. Avoiding sharks, dodging hungry crocodiles and coping with searing thirst, Sparrow must make his own way in the tropical wilderness.
Through a series of glances back into his past, we discover how Sparrow ended up in juvenile detention. His life on the streets, the network of support he drew around himself, how he managed to survive thanks to his engaging manner and drawing ability. It is clear Sparrow is first and foremost a gentle soul; rendered mute by the trauma of his past, and struggling in a world that has rejected him on a regular basis.
Gardner paints Sparrow convincingly and sympathetically, but never gets overly sentimental which is one of his writing strengths. The tropical north location for the novel is vivid and feels authentic, which makes the story a compelling one. And when Sparrow stumbles across another lone survivor in the wilderness, things just get more interesting. I can't post any more than than, because I don't believe in spoilers.
Recommended for ages 12 and up, this is a ripping read.
Sparrow is still a deeply introspective book, delving into the main character's past and showing his soft underbelly, but it is equally a first-rate survival adventure story. Sparrow is tossed into the ocean off the coast of Darwin when a survival trip with his fellow juvenile detention inmates goes awry. He manages to make it to shore in one piece, but he is on his own. Avoiding sharks, dodging hungry crocodiles and coping with searing thirst, Sparrow must make his own way in the tropical wilderness.
Through a series of glances back into his past, we discover how Sparrow ended up in juvenile detention. His life on the streets, the network of support he drew around himself, how he managed to survive thanks to his engaging manner and drawing ability. It is clear Sparrow is first and foremost a gentle soul; rendered mute by the trauma of his past, and struggling in a world that has rejected him on a regular basis.
Gardner paints Sparrow convincingly and sympathetically, but never gets overly sentimental which is one of his writing strengths. The tropical north location for the novel is vivid and feels authentic, which makes the story a compelling one. And when Sparrow stumbles across another lone survivor in the wilderness, things just get more interesting. I can't post any more than than, because I don't believe in spoilers.
Recommended for ages 12 and up, this is a ripping read.
August 21, 2017
I think this is my favourite Scot Gardner so far.
It would be hard not to like Sparrow - he is a lovely character that gives you hope. I especially appreciated the way his silence changed the way you related to him, and to the people you saw from his point of view by the way he related to them.
The contrast of the two worlds Sparrow inhabited (the Kimberley and the streets of Darwin) was an interesting way of looking at survival. In many ways he needed completely skills for each environment, but also many of the same psychological qualities. I also really liked that some of the things that Sparrow does fail. Too often in wilderness survival novels the protagonist just has to think of a solution. Some of Sparrow's solutions don't work, or put him further into danger. This allowed me as a reader to feel that his survival was still precarious, without dwelling in a depressing way on the hardships. This changed the mood, and purpose of the story in a way I enjoyed.
It would be hard not to like Sparrow - he is a lovely character that gives you hope. I especially appreciated the way his silence changed the way you related to him, and to the people you saw from his point of view by the way he related to them.
The contrast of the two worlds Sparrow inhabited (the Kimberley and the streets of Darwin) was an interesting way of looking at survival. In many ways he needed completely skills for each environment, but also many of the same psychological qualities. I also really liked that some of the things that Sparrow does fail. Too often in wilderness survival novels the protagonist just has to think of a solution. Some of Sparrow's solutions don't work, or put him further into danger. This allowed me as a reader to feel that his survival was still precarious, without dwelling in a depressing way on the hardships. This changed the mood, and purpose of the story in a way I enjoyed.
September 9, 2022
5 Star YA perfection. A compelling, moving and multi themed book about Sparrow.
In current times, Sparrow is in ‘Juvie’ and ends up on the Kimberley coast. His flash backs to his life in Darwin retrace the steps that got him imprisoned.
Sparrow does not speak. But his actions show his wisdom and character, and demonstrate his survival skills.
For older readers only, there are many adult themes. Theres untimely death, homelessness and abandonment, violence, drugs and some quite scary scenes. But Sparrows spirit shines through, and there are some good people in his life making this a rewarding and compelling Australian YA novel.
In current times, Sparrow is in ‘Juvie’ and ends up on the Kimberley coast. His flash backs to his life in Darwin retrace the steps that got him imprisoned.
Sparrow does not speak. But his actions show his wisdom and character, and demonstrate his survival skills.
For older readers only, there are many adult themes. Theres untimely death, homelessness and abandonment, violence, drugs and some quite scary scenes. But Sparrows spirit shines through, and there are some good people in his life making this a rewarding and compelling Australian YA novel.
August 18, 2017
I loved this survival story for teenagers, set in the harsh environment of northern Australia. Sparrow has had a loveless upbringing, consequently he has not spoken since he was five. He is incorrectly sent to juvenile detention and when the boat he is on sinks, he swims towards the harsh and dangerous coastline.
Sparrow has bush smarts and keeps himself alive with the food he catches and the fresh water he finds. But how long can he keep going? The descriptions of the land, weather, flora and fauna are fantastic.
This book has so much more. A wonderful read.
Sparrow has bush smarts and keeps himself alive with the food he catches and the fresh water he finds. But how long can he keep going? The descriptions of the land, weather, flora and fauna are fantastic.
This book has so much more. A wonderful read.
April 16, 2018
Riveting from start to finish. A weighty tale of homelessness, torn and troubled families, emotional and physical survival and salvation. Gardner's ability to reel you into situations you'd normally back away from - violence, emotional torture, croc-infested rivers - and then hook you into investing in them is astonishing. Sparrow is broken in more ways than one, contaminated by misfortune and a violent upbringing yet his core is genuine and pure-hearted and as encompassing as the torrid Top End in which he endeavours to survive. Must read for 11-year-olds and above.
May 29, 2021
way to overrated
I read this for English this year after my English teacher raved about it for months one end. It was horrible, the boring plot of Sparrow being stuck in the wilderness, having to survive by himself was on the same line as the books hatchet, blue back or storm boy, all of which I have read before for school purposes. These types of story lines are WAY overused by writers especially Australian ones, who can't seem to find something else to write about, I don't know why. Sparrow as a character was okay and i think had a lot of depth to him but the story was crap. The flashbacks we great, without them I would have put the book down ages ago, they were interesting and since Scot Gardner made those chapters cliff hangers we would have to read the present chapter too before getting back to it. It was so tiring that I have completely forgotten what happened in the chapters between the flashbacks. in total, these flashbacks saved my English grade. The story only got slightly better once you really started to think about the characters in depth, but you kind of had to go off road on that because the book didn't make it interesting, and was bad. The plot jumped around way to much for the first couple of chapters, and you have no idea what's happening for that bit. At first I thought that that, not understanding it was the problem, it wasn't I wish I hadn't understood the rest of the book so then at least I could have had some curiosity as to what was happening to make it better. The story got slightly better towards the end, for EXTREMELY clique reasons, uuuhhhh. I would never read it again and advise others no to, but if Australian, troubled teen survival novels is your thing go ahead. ALSO I have seen the other reviews that think that this book is great, and you probably think that if one teen thinks its bad it probably isn't, you're wrong my whole grade thought it was bad, so maybe like 200 teens not liking this book might give you a few hints. SUMMARY: I'm not trying to say that this book is the worst I have ever read but it was pretty terrible, flashbacks good, present chapters bad. Good luck to all the students who have to read this, good luck!
I read this for English this year after my English teacher raved about it for months one end. It was horrible, the boring plot of Sparrow being stuck in the wilderness, having to survive by himself was on the same line as the books hatchet, blue back or storm boy, all of which I have read before for school purposes. These types of story lines are WAY overused by writers especially Australian ones, who can't seem to find something else to write about, I don't know why. Sparrow as a character was okay and i think had a lot of depth to him but the story was crap. The flashbacks we great, without them I would have put the book down ages ago, they were interesting and since Scot Gardner made those chapters cliff hangers we would have to read the present chapter too before getting back to it. It was so tiring that I have completely forgotten what happened in the chapters between the flashbacks. in total, these flashbacks saved my English grade. The story only got slightly better once you really started to think about the characters in depth, but you kind of had to go off road on that because the book didn't make it interesting, and was bad. The plot jumped around way to much for the first couple of chapters, and you have no idea what's happening for that bit. At first I thought that that, not understanding it was the problem, it wasn't I wish I hadn't understood the rest of the book so then at least I could have had some curiosity as to what was happening to make it better. The story got slightly better towards the end, for EXTREMELY clique reasons, uuuhhhh. I would never read it again and advise others no to, but if Australian, troubled teen survival novels is your thing go ahead. ALSO I have seen the other reviews that think that this book is great, and you probably think that if one teen thinks its bad it probably isn't, you're wrong my whole grade thought it was bad, so maybe like 200 teens not liking this book might give you a few hints. SUMMARY: I'm not trying to say that this book is the worst I have ever read but it was pretty terrible, flashbacks good, present chapters bad. Good luck to all the students who have to read this, good luck!
December 26, 2018
Age - 12+
Sparrow is kind, respectful, brave and friendly. He's also resourceful and street savvy. He has to be - sleeping on a block of toilets at night, avoiding his brother and his paint sniffing gang of teens, and helping cafe owners with their chairs night and morning in payment for food.
Sparrow is a selective mute after a troubled childhood, and this story begins on a boat full of kids from juvie. A fire forces them into the croc and shark filled waters, and 16 year old Sparrow swims for his life to the far north Australian coastline. With determination and courage learnt on the streets of Darwin, he learns how to survive in the bush and mangroves.
This tale of survival is interspersed with chapters of his earlier life, people that have helped him, the reason for his mutism, and why he's called Sparrow.
But he's not alone on the coastline. Someone else escaped the burning boat. Someone who needs saving even more than him.
Sparrow is yet another compelling teen novel from this accomplished Australian author. This book is not only about survival. It's about loss, courage, love and hope for a future that seemed impossible to imagine.
Sparrow is kind, respectful, brave and friendly. He's also resourceful and street savvy. He has to be - sleeping on a block of toilets at night, avoiding his brother and his paint sniffing gang of teens, and helping cafe owners with their chairs night and morning in payment for food.
Sparrow is a selective mute after a troubled childhood, and this story begins on a boat full of kids from juvie. A fire forces them into the croc and shark filled waters, and 16 year old Sparrow swims for his life to the far north Australian coastline. With determination and courage learnt on the streets of Darwin, he learns how to survive in the bush and mangroves.
This tale of survival is interspersed with chapters of his earlier life, people that have helped him, the reason for his mutism, and why he's called Sparrow.
But he's not alone on the coastline. Someone else escaped the burning boat. Someone who needs saving even more than him.
Sparrow is yet another compelling teen novel from this accomplished Australian author. This book is not only about survival. It's about loss, courage, love and hope for a future that seemed impossible to imagine.
January 8, 2020
Finally got around to reading this one... Sparrow is a plucky young fella. He's resilient in every sense of the word. he doesn't give up - just assesses his situation and copes. Copes pretty well most of the time. Having gone mute as a young child, he finds himself in trouble that simply speaking might have changed - more than once. I just wanted to shake him, but who am I to say the horrors he experienced as a younger kid are not worthy of his going mute?
The ending felt a bit rushed and tied up very quickly. I could have done with another 100 pages or so - and more detail about what happens in the end.
Overall, another great read from Scot Gardner. He has a real talent for giving young men, in particular, the voices to tell their unique, and sometimes heartbreaking, stories. So to speak....
The ending felt a bit rushed and tied up very quickly. I could have done with another 100 pages or so - and more detail about what happens in the end.
Overall, another great read from Scot Gardner. He has a real talent for giving young men, in particular, the voices to tell their unique, and sometimes heartbreaking, stories. So to speak....
August 15, 2017
This is a beautifully written book. The main character is an (Aboriginal?)boy nicknamed Sparrow. Life has not treated Sparrow well and he hasn't spoken a word since he was a young child. I loved the back and forth story alternating between the 12-year-old boy living on the streets of Darwin and his older self, struggling to survive on an animal infested island after he escapes from juvenile detention. I loved the language and imagery that Scot used to tell this disturbing story. Those parts of the story on the island were particularly strong and I felt every mosquito bite and snake hiss. It has a very Australian feel.
December 9, 2017
Unsure about this one. The protagonist, Sparrow, is mute, homeless and vulnerable. But not one adult is doing much about it. Except give him some food in exchange for stacking chairs. What about justice for Elsa too? And the silent return of Abby to the island is a smidge far-fetched, as is the fact that it's Abby alone who encourages Sparrow to speak. Finally, far too much detail about hunting for food, and the insect and animal bites, and vomit.
A good read for adventure-loving teens, but not for me I feel.
A good read for adventure-loving teens, but not for me I feel.
June 5, 2018
How could two brothers, brought up in the same intolerable conditions, be so very different! I love this story and also the way it is written as we come to see why Sparrow ended up in juvenile detention. I love his kindness and the kindness shown to him by many of the characters. It’s poignant and sad to see the life he moulds for himself on the streets of Darwin. His courage and capabilities are needed as he survives in the wilds but he gets his reward in the end. (I was so pleased that Sharkey appeared once more).
July 16, 2021
A boy called Sparrow is the son of a drug addict mother. When his mother dies, he falls through the cracks and becomes a street child along with his brother. Sparrow is mute and hasn’t spoken since he was five.
We meet Sparrow as he is trying to survive after a juvie exercise goes wrong and he has to try to survive in rough conditions (poisonous snakes, starvation concerns, wild boars, elements that kill etc). As he struggles to survive, he reflects on what brought him where he is.
A decent YA fiction that considers themes of hope, surviving, friendship, and perseverance.
We meet Sparrow as he is trying to survive after a juvie exercise goes wrong and he has to try to survive in rough conditions (poisonous snakes, starvation concerns, wild boars, elements that kill etc). As he struggles to survive, he reflects on what brought him where he is.
A decent YA fiction that considers themes of hope, surviving, friendship, and perseverance.
February 9, 2018
An amazing story, especially appealing to boys, telling the story of survival and adventure against all the odds. A young boy is mistakenly accused of murdering his brother and is sent to a juvenile detention camp. During a survival exercise, he is separated from the group and manages to escape. As the story progresses, the author reveals more about the protagonist, and the underlying background of a tragic family and upbringing. For mature readers.
April 9, 2018
I started this book around 7pm at night and had finished it by 11:20 the next day. It had me gripped from the very start.
This is the story of Sparrow, a juvie-escapee and his adventure of survival both in the city and in the top end of Australia. Gardner’s rendering of the Australian landscape is excellent and the pace is really well maintained. Oh my heart breaks for Sparrow and kids like him- those that fall through the cracks we don’t even know exist.
This is the story of Sparrow, a juvie-escapee and his adventure of survival both in the city and in the top end of Australia. Gardner’s rendering of the Australian landscape is excellent and the pace is really well maintained. Oh my heart breaks for Sparrow and kids like him- those that fall through the cracks we don’t even know exist.
July 7, 2018
This YA novel left me holding my breath with a fear a number of times. With issues such as youth homelessness, domestic violence, drugs and juvenile justice at its core, this could easily have turned into a Senior Fiction read. Gardener's touch however, ensures that the spine tingling moments mostly come as a result of the protagonist's time stranded in the Australian wild. I really liked this novel.
May 28, 2018
Trigger warnings: violence, death, abuse, assault, animal death, snakebite, descriptions of wounds.
This book was...weird, to be honest. It's the story of a boy named Sparrow, and it's split between his past when he was homeless on the streets of Darwin, and his present when he's escaped from prison and he's fighting for survival in the Kimberley. It's as odd as it sounds.
This felt kind of like a more mature version of Hatchet or My Side of the Mountain. I was far more interested in Sparrow's story in Darwin than I was in his survival in the Kimberley. And honestly? I...don't really know who would read this. Maybe it would be popular with 13-14 year old boys??? But other than that? I have zero idea.
This book was...weird, to be honest. It's the story of a boy named Sparrow, and it's split between his past when he was homeless on the streets of Darwin, and his present when he's escaped from prison and he's fighting for survival in the Kimberley. It's as odd as it sounds.
This felt kind of like a more mature version of Hatchet or My Side of the Mountain. I was far more interested in Sparrow's story in Darwin than I was in his survival in the Kimberley. And honestly? I...don't really know who would read this. Maybe it would be popular with 13-14 year old boys??? But other than that? I have zero idea.
October 18, 2017
I was loving this book - the plight of Sparrow, both in the now and in the past was making me want to read and know more, but the ending left me feeling a bit 'meh...' and that feeling hasn't really changed.
April 4, 2021
This Gardner bloke can write eh?!
Fast paced plot, compelling practical details, exotic settings, intriguing characters, and classic coming of age themes.
This is my second Gardner book and I'm already a fan.
Fast paced plot, compelling practical details, exotic settings, intriguing characters, and classic coming of age themes.
This is my second Gardner book and I'm already a fan.
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