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Sugar Birds
WINNER, 2021 AMERICAN FICTION AWARDS: Literary, General, and Cross-Genre Fiction
SILVER MEDALIST, 2021 READER'S FAVORITE AWARD: Inspirational Fiction
Northwest Washington State, 1985
For years, Harris Hayes has taught his daughter, Aggie, the ways of the northern woods. So when her mother's depression worsens, Harris shows the girl how to find and sketch the nests of wild birds as an antidote to sadness. Aggie is in a tree far overhead when her unpredictable mother spots her and forbids her to climb. Angry, the ten-year-old accidentally lights a tragic fire, then flees downriver. She lands her boat near untamed forest, where she hides among the trees and creatures she considers her only friends—determined to remain undiscovered.
A search party gathers by Aggie’s empty boat hours after Celia, fresh off the plane from Houston, arrives at her grandmother’s nearby farm. Hurting from her parents’ breakup, she also plans to run. But when she joins the hunt for Aggie, she meets two irresistible young men who compel her to stay. One is autistic; the other, dangerous.
Perfect for fans The Scent Keeper, The Snow Child, and The Great Alone, Sugar Birds immerses readers in a layered, evocative coming-of-age story set in the breathtaking natural world where characters encounter the mending power of forgiveness—for themselves and for those who have failed them.
SILVER MEDALIST, 2021 READER'S FAVORITE AWARD: Inspirational Fiction
Northwest Washington State, 1985
For years, Harris Hayes has taught his daughter, Aggie, the ways of the northern woods. So when her mother's depression worsens, Harris shows the girl how to find and sketch the nests of wild birds as an antidote to sadness. Aggie is in a tree far overhead when her unpredictable mother spots her and forbids her to climb. Angry, the ten-year-old accidentally lights a tragic fire, then flees downriver. She lands her boat near untamed forest, where she hides among the trees and creatures she considers her only friends—determined to remain undiscovered.
A search party gathers by Aggie’s empty boat hours after Celia, fresh off the plane from Houston, arrives at her grandmother’s nearby farm. Hurting from her parents’ breakup, she also plans to run. But when she joins the hunt for Aggie, she meets two irresistible young men who compel her to stay. One is autistic; the other, dangerous.
Perfect for fans The Scent Keeper, The Snow Child, and The Great Alone, Sugar Birds immerses readers in a layered, evocative coming-of-age story set in the breathtaking natural world where characters encounter the mending power of forgiveness—for themselves and for those who have failed them.
328 pages, Paperback
First published August 3, 2021
472 people are currently reading
8547 people want to read
About the author
Cheryl Grey Bostrom
5 books627 followersA keen student of the natural world and the workings of the human heart, Pacific Northwest author Cheryl Grey Bostrom captures the mystery and wonder of both in her lyrical, surprising fiction.
Her market crossover novels Sugar Birds and Leaning on Air have won critical acclaim and more than two dozen fiction awards. What the River Keeps, winner of Christianity Today's 2025 Fiction Award of Merit, was awarded a prized Kirkus Star and named to Kirkus Reviews' Best Indies Book of June 2025.
Her widely published short-form work currently includes her column in the American Scientific Affiliation’s God and Nature Magazine and her Substack: Birds in the Hand. She has also written two non-fiction books.
An avid birder and nature photographer, Cheryl lives in rural Washington State with her husband and three irrepressible Gordon setters.
Her market crossover novels Sugar Birds and Leaning on Air have won critical acclaim and more than two dozen fiction awards. What the River Keeps, winner of Christianity Today's 2025 Fiction Award of Merit, was awarded a prized Kirkus Star and named to Kirkus Reviews' Best Indies Book of June 2025.
Her widely published short-form work currently includes her column in the American Scientific Affiliation’s God and Nature Magazine and her Substack: Birds in the Hand. She has also written two non-fiction books.
An avid birder and nature photographer, Cheryl lives in rural Washington State with her husband and three irrepressible Gordon setters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 454 reviews
July 2, 2021
10 year old Aggie accidentally sets fire to her home, with her parents still inside. Out of guilt and fear of the consequences, she flees into the nearby woods where she starts to survive, relying on the lessons she received from her father. At the same time, 16 year old Celia feels dumped at her Grams for the holidays by her father who has to work on a oil-rig where there is no place for a teenager.
Both voices and actions of the girls are very immature, which is understandable, but the context was often also a bit too childish for my taste. The story is also driven by characters that all battle mental illness: Aggie's mama has bouts of severe depression, her brother Burn is autistic, and I believe that Aggie's reaction to the fire is certainly not normal either. Throw in Celia who is basically an ungrateful walking hormone bomb and then Colt, a first class psychopath and you have a cast of characters where almost no-one is really sane and I found it difficult to engage or feel connected to either one of them. When the author then added some religious elements at the end I was a bit disappointed.
But there are some positives also: the description of the woods, the fauna and flora, and surroundings is very well done, and the interactions with animals is vivid and engaging. The scene with the cougar was truly well done. For me: three stars because the naturalistic elements are quiet good, I just didn't like the characters.
A sincere thanks to the author, Netgalley and the publisher, She Writes Press for an advance copy in exchange of an honest review.
Both voices and actions of the girls are very immature, which is understandable, but the context was often also a bit too childish for my taste. The story is also driven by characters that all battle mental illness: Aggie's mama has bouts of severe depression, her brother Burn is autistic, and I believe that Aggie's reaction to the fire is certainly not normal either. Throw in Celia who is basically an ungrateful walking hormone bomb and then Colt, a first class psychopath and you have a cast of characters where almost no-one is really sane and I found it difficult to engage or feel connected to either one of them. When the author then added some religious elements at the end I was a bit disappointed.
But there are some positives also: the description of the woods, the fauna and flora, and surroundings is very well done, and the interactions with animals is vivid and engaging. The scene with the cougar was truly well done. For me: three stars because the naturalistic elements are quiet good, I just didn't like the characters.
A sincere thanks to the author, Netgalley and the publisher, She Writes Press for an advance copy in exchange of an honest review.
March 14, 2022
What a roller coaster ride from first time fiction writer Cheryl Grey Bostrom. 4.5 stars
The story takes place in Washington in the foothills near the Cascades and is told by ten year old Aggie and 16 year Celia in alternating chapters. Two very gutsy girls, Aggie loves climbing trees to her mother's serious chagrin, and accidently burns down their house, then runs away because she believes she has killed her parents and lives in the trees and woods near Celia's grandmother's house, where she has been abandoned by her father after he goes off to work on an oil rig.
Lots of wonderful wildlife, exciting drama, one very bad young man and heaps of adventure. After starting slowly, by the end I was holding my breath. Loved it.
The story takes place in Washington in the foothills near the Cascades and is told by ten year old Aggie and 16 year Celia in alternating chapters. Two very gutsy girls, Aggie loves climbing trees to her mother's serious chagrin, and accidently burns down their house, then runs away because she believes she has killed her parents and lives in the trees and woods near Celia's grandmother's house, where she has been abandoned by her father after he goes off to work on an oil rig.
Lots of wonderful wildlife, exciting drama, one very bad young man and heaps of adventure. After starting slowly, by the end I was holding my breath. Loved it.
September 19, 2021
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ -- Wow, this was an amazing read!
This definitely ranks up there as one of the best books I have read so far this year. 🙌🏻 It was beautifully written. Rich in details. The nature setting was perfectly done. The plot emotional and thought provoking. The character's well developed and unique. Burnaby being by far my favorite of the book. And the ending was heartwarming. I loved every minute reading this one. 👍🏻👍🏻
**ARC Via NetGalley*
This definitely ranks up there as one of the best books I have read so far this year. 🙌🏻 It was beautifully written. Rich in details. The nature setting was perfectly done. The plot emotional and thought provoking. The character's well developed and unique. Burnaby being by far my favorite of the book. And the ending was heartwarming. I loved every minute reading this one. 👍🏻👍🏻
**ARC Via NetGalley*
September 29, 2024
Sugar Birds by Cheryl Grey Bostrom - 4.5 Stars
BLOG POST REVIEW: https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/...
Sugar Birds is a beautifully written story that combines elements of suspense, emotional depth, and a profound connection to nature. Set in the stunning landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, the book explores themes of survival, healing, and human resilience.
The story follows three central characters: 10-year-old Aggie, who runs away into the forest after accidentally setting a fire that threatens her family’s farm, Aggie's brother Burnaby and Celia, who is visiting her grandmother's nearby farm. Burnaby and Celia eventually meet and have an instant connection together. Celia helps in the search party to find Aggie as she goes missing in the forest for many weeks. We see Aggie's POV as she tries to survive and hide from the others, too afraid to return to the aftermath of what she has done. We also see Celia in a tough situation with a dangerous guy and Burnaby - with a bit of a love triangle as they get to know one another.
One thing that always stands out to me in Cheryl's books is how she has such rich elements of the natural world. Her descriptions of the forests, rivers, and creatures of the Pacific Northwest are vivid and atmospheric, immersing readers in the beauty and danger of the environment.
This book is also strong in emotional depth. She delves into difficult subjects like grief, guilt, and forgiveness, but she does so with a light, empathetic touch. The book doesn’t shy away from the pain of the characters’ experiences, yet it also offers hope and redemption. There’s a light faith element woven throughout the story that adds a layer of reflection and healing.
I also really loved the portrayal of Burnaby. He is autistic and as an Autism Mama, I loved seeing him as a younger teen and how he interacted with Celia and others in the story. After reading Leaning on Air by this author, which is more of Celia and Burnaby's story, going back to Sugar Birds was a beautiful experience to learn more of how they met and interacted.
I have to say the suspense in this one was very good, we were needing to see how Aggie was doing throughout the story and Cheryl did a good job with the pacing to give enough backdrop of what was happening while our main characters were on the search for her. The ending was fast paced and I liked how it went.
Overall, Sugar Birds is a heartfelt, deeply moving book that leaves a lasting impression. Readers who enjoy contemporary fiction, character-driven stories, and those who enjoy themes of survival and personal growth will find much to love in this book.
Thank you Tyndale House for a copy of this book to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
BLOG POST REVIEW: https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/...
Sugar Birds is a beautifully written story that combines elements of suspense, emotional depth, and a profound connection to nature. Set in the stunning landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, the book explores themes of survival, healing, and human resilience.
The story follows three central characters: 10-year-old Aggie, who runs away into the forest after accidentally setting a fire that threatens her family’s farm, Aggie's brother Burnaby and Celia, who is visiting her grandmother's nearby farm. Burnaby and Celia eventually meet and have an instant connection together. Celia helps in the search party to find Aggie as she goes missing in the forest for many weeks. We see Aggie's POV as she tries to survive and hide from the others, too afraid to return to the aftermath of what she has done. We also see Celia in a tough situation with a dangerous guy and Burnaby - with a bit of a love triangle as they get to know one another.
One thing that always stands out to me in Cheryl's books is how she has such rich elements of the natural world. Her descriptions of the forests, rivers, and creatures of the Pacific Northwest are vivid and atmospheric, immersing readers in the beauty and danger of the environment.
This book is also strong in emotional depth. She delves into difficult subjects like grief, guilt, and forgiveness, but she does so with a light, empathetic touch. The book doesn’t shy away from the pain of the characters’ experiences, yet it also offers hope and redemption. There’s a light faith element woven throughout the story that adds a layer of reflection and healing.
I also really loved the portrayal of Burnaby. He is autistic and as an Autism Mama, I loved seeing him as a younger teen and how he interacted with Celia and others in the story. After reading Leaning on Air by this author, which is more of Celia and Burnaby's story, going back to Sugar Birds was a beautiful experience to learn more of how they met and interacted.
I have to say the suspense in this one was very good, we were needing to see how Aggie was doing throughout the story and Cheryl did a good job with the pacing to give enough backdrop of what was happening while our main characters were on the search for her. The ending was fast paced and I liked how it went.
Overall, Sugar Birds is a heartfelt, deeply moving book that leaves a lasting impression. Readers who enjoy contemporary fiction, character-driven stories, and those who enjoy themes of survival and personal growth will find much to love in this book.
Thank you Tyndale House for a copy of this book to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 7, 2021
Wow, I feel so privilege to have been given the opportunity to read and digest this book. A nature and wildlife infused story set in the Pacific Northwest encompassing grief, mental illness, love and forgiveness. This is a book not to be missed!
Aggie is a 10 year old full of spunk and smarts. When she is angry with her Other for forbidding her to climb trees, she devastatingly sets the scene for a fire that destroys her home. She runs to the woods, thinking she has killed both of her parents and will be put in jail for her crime.
“ Riveted to the unfolding devastation, she flailed against blame until shock lifted her outside of herself, detached her from the body she no longer wanted to claim as her own. Until denial, in a brief respite, made her an observer, not the cause.”
Reminiscent of Where The Crawdads Sing, Aggie must rely on the lessons her Father instilled in her about nature, wild animals and survival. Concurrent with Aggie’s story is Celia’s. Left by her Mother several years prior, she and her Dad have learned to rely on each other. When she learns that her Father is leaving her for a work assignment in another country, she feels betrayed and angry. He brings her to stay with her Grandmother, Mender, who lives in the same rural town that Aggies family did. Being an angry teenager, she spitefully plans to runaway.
The stories of the two girls collide, but not before Celia has attracted the attention of a less than up and up young man with a dark side. Aggie and Celia help each other, and in the process learn more about the true meanings of strength and forgiveness.
“I’m afraid he’s a sugar bird, Celia…A term your Grandfather used for someone desperate, scratching and pecking and clawing for a sweet seed that will soothe that ache is his heart.”
I loved the underlying theme of birds and putting broken pieces back together again and the dual voices of Aggie and Celia. The side characters are quirky and interesting and strengthen the story tremendously. The pictures that the author paints with her lyrical writing are beautiful. It is obvious she has done extensive research.
Highly recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley and She Writes Press for the ARC to read and review. Pub date: Aug., 2021.
Aggie is a 10 year old full of spunk and smarts. When she is angry with her Other for forbidding her to climb trees, she devastatingly sets the scene for a fire that destroys her home. She runs to the woods, thinking she has killed both of her parents and will be put in jail for her crime.
“ Riveted to the unfolding devastation, she flailed against blame until shock lifted her outside of herself, detached her from the body she no longer wanted to claim as her own. Until denial, in a brief respite, made her an observer, not the cause.”
Reminiscent of Where The Crawdads Sing, Aggie must rely on the lessons her Father instilled in her about nature, wild animals and survival. Concurrent with Aggie’s story is Celia’s. Left by her Mother several years prior, she and her Dad have learned to rely on each other. When she learns that her Father is leaving her for a work assignment in another country, she feels betrayed and angry. He brings her to stay with her Grandmother, Mender, who lives in the same rural town that Aggies family did. Being an angry teenager, she spitefully plans to runaway.
The stories of the two girls collide, but not before Celia has attracted the attention of a less than up and up young man with a dark side. Aggie and Celia help each other, and in the process learn more about the true meanings of strength and forgiveness.
“I’m afraid he’s a sugar bird, Celia…A term your Grandfather used for someone desperate, scratching and pecking and clawing for a sweet seed that will soothe that ache is his heart.”
I loved the underlying theme of birds and putting broken pieces back together again and the dual voices of Aggie and Celia. The side characters are quirky and interesting and strengthen the story tremendously. The pictures that the author paints with her lyrical writing are beautiful. It is obvious she has done extensive research.
Highly recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley and She Writes Press for the ARC to read and review. Pub date: Aug., 2021.
October 24, 2021
This was not always an easy book to read, but it was a fulfilling one. There was a point when things took a dark turn where I probably would have just stopped reading if I wasn't reading it for my church's book club -- but I'm glad I stuck with it, because the ending was so beautiful and healing.
I do wish that the presentation of Christian faith and the ways God can bring healing and understanding had not been presented so obliquely. They were hinted at, but almost in a mystical way, and I came out feeling like this should be labeled "religious fiction" instead of "Christian."
On the other hand, I loved the way the author handled one supporting character's autism. This book is set in the 1980s, and the way she had other characters responding to and not understanding his autism felt very similar to my memories of how people interacted with the autistic son of some of my friends' parents back when I was a kid in the '80s. Both my childhood friend and this character are what some people call "high-functioning," in that they make friends, hold jobs, and so on, but are experiencing life in their own unique way. I would say this is the best book with an autistic character that I have read since Loving Isaac by Heather Kaufman.
Bostrom's writing is fluid, her pacing was irresistible, and her characters felt real and believable. I quickly got attached to three characters, and liked several others quite well by the end. Although things got very tense about three-quarters of the way through, I assure you that everything wraps up in a good way, and the Big Bad Thing I was expecting to happen, or nearly happen, did not. I don't want to spoil this book any more than that, as I think a lot of my bookish friends would really like this one.
I do wish that the presentation of Christian faith and the ways God can bring healing and understanding had not been presented so obliquely. They were hinted at, but almost in a mystical way, and I came out feeling like this should be labeled "religious fiction" instead of "Christian."
On the other hand, I loved the way the author handled one supporting character's autism. This book is set in the 1980s, and the way she had other characters responding to and not understanding his autism felt very similar to my memories of how people interacted with the autistic son of some of my friends' parents back when I was a kid in the '80s. Both my childhood friend and this character are what some people call "high-functioning," in that they make friends, hold jobs, and so on, but are experiencing life in their own unique way. I would say this is the best book with an autistic character that I have read since Loving Isaac by Heather Kaufman.
Bostrom's writing is fluid, her pacing was irresistible, and her characters felt real and believable. I quickly got attached to three characters, and liked several others quite well by the end. Although things got very tense about three-quarters of the way through, I assure you that everything wraps up in a good way, and the Big Bad Thing I was expecting to happen, or nearly happen, did not. I don't want to spoil this book any more than that, as I think a lot of my bookish friends would really like this one.
March 27, 2021
SUGAR BIRDS is heartfelt storytelling at its best. Woven with insightful prose, Bostrom’s gripping, nature-infused tale takes the reader on a harrowing journey through human weaknesses to hope and mercy. A must-read for anyone who’s ever extended or received forgiveness.
July 2, 2022
Two feisty heroines take center stage in this suspenseful, coming-of-age novel: scrappy, tenderhearted Aggie & rebellious, nurturing Celia. Both have loving fathers & distant mothers. They end up joining forces to fight a cruel enemy & protect brilliant but vulnerable Burnaby, who is somewhere on the autism/Asperger's spectrum. Top-notch writing creates a strong sense of place in the rural setting inhabited by salt-of-the-earth people. Themes of redemption, forgiveness, thankfulness, family loyalty & good triumphing over evil. I really enjoyed it!
October 28, 2021
An enjoyable audiobook with themes similar to Where the Crawdads Sing.
March 1, 2021
What a privilege to review Cheryl Bostrom’s new novel. Sugar Birds is a tour de force, with protagonist Agate as uniquely powerful as Hunger Games’ Katniss.
Bostrom vividly plunges readers into the heart of the story when Aggie (Agate) accidentally starts a catastrophic blaze: “A whip of fire stopped her at the doorway. Unbearable heat bullied her backwards . . . The house screamed as the logs whistled and exploded in the heat.” Terrified and guilt-ridden, Aggie hides in tangled Pacific Northwest forest, while temperamental Celia, Celia’s dangerous suitor and Aggie’s autistic brother join the search for her.
This book will take readers where they’ve never been before. I plumbed my own depths as I followed Aggie and Celia through physical and emotional hinterlands of spirituality, pain, guilt, and redemption.
I loved the writing. Cheered the characters. Stayed emotionally engaged from the start to the unexpected twist at the end. It’s an incredibly good book. I can’t believe this is her first novel.
Lynne Curry, Ph.D.; columnist, Anchorage Daily News; author of Beating the Workplace Bully, Solutions, and Managing for Accountability
Bostrom vividly plunges readers into the heart of the story when Aggie (Agate) accidentally starts a catastrophic blaze: “A whip of fire stopped her at the doorway. Unbearable heat bullied her backwards . . . The house screamed as the logs whistled and exploded in the heat.” Terrified and guilt-ridden, Aggie hides in tangled Pacific Northwest forest, while temperamental Celia, Celia’s dangerous suitor and Aggie’s autistic brother join the search for her.
This book will take readers where they’ve never been before. I plumbed my own depths as I followed Aggie and Celia through physical and emotional hinterlands of spirituality, pain, guilt, and redemption.
I loved the writing. Cheered the characters. Stayed emotionally engaged from the start to the unexpected twist at the end. It’s an incredibly good book. I can’t believe this is her first novel.
Lynne Curry, Ph.D.; columnist, Anchorage Daily News; author of Beating the Workplace Bully, Solutions, and Managing for Accountability
August 22, 2021
This is one of those books that are beautiful. But. I struggled a bit with this. Most reading requires us to willingly suspend our disbelief. I couldn’t suspend my disbelief at all that 10-year-old Aggie was capable of. I can’t hide in trees for a month, forage for berries for food, fight off cougars, hold a gun, and generally be a bit wild even if you pay me now in my 40’s. Ahem.
And when I was 10? I was quietly hiding in a corner, trying to read my Nancy Drews and hope that no one notices me.
Sigh. I couldn’t understand half the nature-specific words in the book, and I am too lazy to Google everything.
Which is why as beautiful as ‘Sugar Birds’ is, I couldn’t relate to it. It’s merely my fault. Reading a book is an intensely personal experience, and our ‘reviews’ are in no way a reflection of the love and artistry of the author.
And when I was 10? I was quietly hiding in a corner, trying to read my Nancy Drews and hope that no one notices me.
Sigh. I couldn’t understand half the nature-specific words in the book, and I am too lazy to Google everything.
Which is why as beautiful as ‘Sugar Birds’ is, I couldn’t relate to it. It’s merely my fault. Reading a book is an intensely personal experience, and our ‘reviews’ are in no way a reflection of the love and artistry of the author.
October 12, 2023
Sugar Birds is, quite simply, an astonishing tour de force as a debut novel. From the very first page, I was immersed into the complicated lives of Aggie, Celia, Burnaby and Cabot – a cast of characters who became more real to me than my next-door neighbors. About two-thirds of the way through a novel, I can usually anticipate how it will end, but this story of resilience, redemption and forgiveness surprised me while being deeply satisfying. If a fictional setting could be a character in itself, the gritty beauty of the Pacific Northwest setting has a starring role. Cheryl Bostrom is a writer of prodigious talent who commands language with the deft strokes of a skilled conductor of words. I will recommend Sugar Birds to everyone I know!
September 20, 2023
Sugar Birds took my breath away, leaving me gasping at times, but filling my heart with hope and deep love. Aggie is 10 years old, living a life in the forest with the birds, but with troubles at home. After a horrible accident, Aggie runs away to the woods and the trees, armed with fear, guilt, and the knowledge and wisdom she’s received from her parents. With lyrical writing, this is a heart wrenching novel of danger, survival, treachery, resilience, and extraordinary courage that touched my soul.
February 15, 2024
An interesting story. At times, I was practically glued to the pages; other times, I felt like I didn’t even want to read any more. The story is certainly emotional. It’s hard to imagine a child having to struggle mentally and physically like this one did. The ending was okay, but I was left wondering how the family was going to move forward; especially the young girl…
March 14, 2022
This was a fantastic read, very atmospheric and the writing was phenomenal. I love these unexpected gems that just work so well and leave you thinking about the book long after you’ve read them. This is set in Washington in the foothills near the Cascades, so you can imagine it is a gorgeous setting. Aggie is a 10 yo with spunk, Celia is 16 and spreading her wings. The book is told from each of their POV’s, and is basically a coming of age for them, albeit in different ways.
I enjoyed the perspectives of each, how the author started them separately, paralleled them during the search for Aggie, and how they came together at the end. If you like stories of nature and its healing, or stories about families experiencing hurt and forgiveness, then this one is not to be missed.
Thank you to She Writes Press for the gifted copy to review.
I enjoyed the perspectives of each, how the author started them separately, paralleled them during the search for Aggie, and how they came together at the end. If you like stories of nature and its healing, or stories about families experiencing hurt and forgiveness, then this one is not to be missed.
Thank you to She Writes Press for the gifted copy to review.
July 8, 2021
The Healing Forest
A story of young people growing up and earning their wings. Young people often have very real conflicts and sometimes deal with them in hurtful and destructive ways. This is especially so if they feel abandoned by one parent or another. Most times they can be become wonderful adults with the help of a good family and friends network like Aggie and Celia. Once in a while one is lost in despair and abandonment to the point of no return and is lost like Cabot.
The story is set in a beautiful woodlands setting in Washington State. Celia's grandmother and Aggie's brother are both into birds. Celia helps her grandmother rehabilitate them when she visits. When her father takes a job in Brazil and her mother leaves for a job somewhere else she must spend the summer unwillingly with her grandmother. The choices she makes and the friends she meets are both a part of her growing and learning. When Aggie's house burns down and she goes missing Celia is determined to find her.
This was a very interesting story about young people, the wilderness, and birds. I really enjoyed reading this book and I really enjoyed the characters, well maybe not Cabot, but there has to be a bad guy in the mix. I enjoyed all that I learned about birds and about the forest. I especially enjoyed Aggie, what a resourceful girl.
This would be a wonderful book for Adults and Young Adults both to read. It so much focuses on the family network and how they help a young person. I would definitely recommend this book.
Thanks to Cheryl Grey Bostrom, She Writes Press and Netgalley for allowing me to read a copy for my honest review.
A story of young people growing up and earning their wings. Young people often have very real conflicts and sometimes deal with them in hurtful and destructive ways. This is especially so if they feel abandoned by one parent or another. Most times they can be become wonderful adults with the help of a good family and friends network like Aggie and Celia. Once in a while one is lost in despair and abandonment to the point of no return and is lost like Cabot.
The story is set in a beautiful woodlands setting in Washington State. Celia's grandmother and Aggie's brother are both into birds. Celia helps her grandmother rehabilitate them when she visits. When her father takes a job in Brazil and her mother leaves for a job somewhere else she must spend the summer unwillingly with her grandmother. The choices she makes and the friends she meets are both a part of her growing and learning. When Aggie's house burns down and she goes missing Celia is determined to find her.
This was a very interesting story about young people, the wilderness, and birds. I really enjoyed reading this book and I really enjoyed the characters, well maybe not Cabot, but there has to be a bad guy in the mix. I enjoyed all that I learned about birds and about the forest. I especially enjoyed Aggie, what a resourceful girl.
This would be a wonderful book for Adults and Young Adults both to read. It so much focuses on the family network and how they help a young person. I would definitely recommend this book.
Thanks to Cheryl Grey Bostrom, She Writes Press and Netgalley for allowing me to read a copy for my honest review.
October 2, 2023
Bostrom’s lyrical descriptions of the beauty and intricacies of the natural world reeled me in to Sugar Birds, but her story kept me there. You will find yourself rooting for the young storytellers, Aggie and Celia, both of whom are complex characters full of insecurities with large capacities for love. Their fears drive them to escape into the uncertain forest of the Pacific Northwest. Be warned: the suspenseful plot kept me up much later than I’d intended, but it was well worth it. Bostrom’s voice reminds me of Delia Owens’ Where the Crawdads Sing and Annie Dillard’s Pilgrim at Tinker Creek. I loved this coming-of-age tale of redemption.
[The author provided an advance copy without any requirements or compensation. I am delighted to endorse this wonderful book.]
[The author provided an advance copy without any requirements or compensation. I am delighted to endorse this wonderful book.]
August 29, 2021
Amazing debut novel! I've seen lots of comparisons of this book to Where the Crawdads Sing and for good reason. Both have the element of nature that is prevalent throughout the book which I love, both have a young girl trying to survive on their own, and both are just beautifully written.
Ten year-old Aggie she has carelessly burned down her family home and killed her parents. Fearing going to jail as a murder she runs off and hides the woods of the PNW. Celia is a few years older than Aggie and has just been unceremoniously dumped at her grandmother, Mender's, house for the summer by her father so he can take a job in Brazil. The books follows both their lives switching points of view as Celia tries to deal with her anger and takes up with a local boy, Cabot, who has a darker side while Aggie is living in the trees next to Mender's property and her aunt and uncles neighboring dairy farm. Cabot and her brother, who stayed at the farm the night of the fire, both work at the dairy farm and from her hiding places she begins to see a sinister side of Cabot that he shows when he thinks no one is watching.
I felt instantly for both these girls and the weight of the emotional burdens on them both. I will not lie when I say that there were two points in this book that there were tears running down my face. That said it is not a sad book but a deeply emotional one.
I highly recommend this book. You will not regret it.
Many thanks to #NetGalley and She Writes Press for providing me a copy of #Sugarbirds in exchange for an honest review.
Ten year-old Aggie she has carelessly burned down her family home and killed her parents. Fearing going to jail as a murder she runs off and hides the woods of the PNW. Celia is a few years older than Aggie and has just been unceremoniously dumped at her grandmother, Mender's, house for the summer by her father so he can take a job in Brazil. The books follows both their lives switching points of view as Celia tries to deal with her anger and takes up with a local boy, Cabot, who has a darker side while Aggie is living in the trees next to Mender's property and her aunt and uncles neighboring dairy farm. Cabot and her brother, who stayed at the farm the night of the fire, both work at the dairy farm and from her hiding places she begins to see a sinister side of Cabot that he shows when he thinks no one is watching.
I felt instantly for both these girls and the weight of the emotional burdens on them both. I will not lie when I say that there were two points in this book that there were tears running down my face. That said it is not a sad book but a deeply emotional one.
I highly recommend this book. You will not regret it.
Many thanks to #NetGalley and She Writes Press for providing me a copy of #Sugarbirds in exchange for an honest review.
February 14, 2024
Although the premise of the book held promise in the early stages, I quickly realized that this was more of a YA novel. A YA novel that was not believable, and to top it all off there was animal abuse. The good news is I dropped my tomato soup on the book and it is not salvageable. Moving on…. 🍜
February 13, 2022
I am always drawn to books that take place in the Pacific Northwest (my home), about places that I am familiar with and can easily envision as I read through the story. I was completely captivated by the beautiful descriptions of the Pacific Northwest landscapes, the power of nature and the enchanting and dangerous animals that are seen through the eyes of ten year old Aggie and sixteen year old Celia. With beautifully composed prose and down-to-earth dialogue, the author immerses you into the sights, smells, and sounds of Northwest rural Washington during the 1980s. It is a story of family, love, survival, forgiveness and discovering new friendships when you least expect it and when you need them the most. I loved this book!
I think 'Sugar Birds' would definitely be an interesting Book Club selection, offering a variety of themes as well as subthemes worth talking about. A must read!
I think 'Sugar Birds' would definitely be an interesting Book Club selection, offering a variety of themes as well as subthemes worth talking about. A must read!
May 17, 2021
This coming of age novel feels like just the right story for 2021. Following the intertwining lives of four young people, Sugar Birds invites readers to consider all the ways we attempt to rebuild our lives after tragedy and sorrow happen. And how the ways we rebuild sometimes cause even more damage and heartache in the process.
Set in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, author Cheryl Grey Bostrom taps into her extensive knowledge of nature and the specific experiences of living in Washington to paint a setting that itself gives us hope that all things can be made new again. Then there's the undercurrent of faith in God, held steady by two characters who've seen God's hand at work enough to know that his heart of love is always open to those who seek him.
I loved this book and can't wait to tell everyone about it.
Set in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, author Cheryl Grey Bostrom taps into her extensive knowledge of nature and the specific experiences of living in Washington to paint a setting that itself gives us hope that all things can be made new again. Then there's the undercurrent of faith in God, held steady by two characters who've seen God's hand at work enough to know that his heart of love is always open to those who seek him.
I loved this book and can't wait to tell everyone about it.
August 3, 2021
Sugar Birds is the Pacific Northwest's best offering of an equivalent to Delia Owens's Where the Crawdads Sing. Believe me--it's just as good if not better. Bostrom lyrically brings you into the lives of two young viewpoint characters: Aggie (told third person) and Celia (told first person), whose lives eventually interweave as they grapple with their harsh new realities. The narrative is brilliant poetry that propels you from one narrator's story to the other, and the author's knowledge about the landscape and animal life is convincing. I absolutely loved this novel--a stunning first for this author!
(I received an advance copy for review...but I am a picky, former high school AP English teacher who does not rave about everything. You'll absolutely love it.)
(I received an advance copy for review...but I am a picky, former high school AP English teacher who does not rave about everything. You'll absolutely love it.)
March 1, 2021
Already a fan of Cheryl Grey Bostrom’s after reading The View from Goose Ridge, I was excited to learn about her novel-writing debut with Sugar Birds. Masterfully alternating between characters with each chapter, the story follows the journeys of two strong, young girls whose lives and hearts are in peril. Exquisite setting, unique characters, and a gripping plot blend with complex family storylines to make Sugar Birds a page-turner that stays embedded in your soul for a welcomed long while.
December 21, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed SUGAR BIRDS, a beautifully written, lyrical novel of survival, resilience, and forgiveness. Set in the Pacific Northwest and filled with careful attention to the details of the natural world, this story is filled with unique characters who demonstrate kindness, strength, and resourcefulness. This is Cheryl Bostrom’s debut in fiction, and I can’t wait for her next one!
February 7, 2024
I read this book and listened to the audio at the same time. It is a very good and very emotional story. Narrated by Jayne Entwistle. She did great. Made you feel the story.
Sugar Birds is a Literary fiction book that deals with a family. A family that has problems as most do. The Hayes family are a typical but somewhat unique family. A dad, mom and two children, a son and daughter.
Aggie is a ten year old little girl who loves birds. Anything to do with birds. She climbs trees like they are nothing. Really truly high trees. Her mother, who suffers from depression, does not like this. It worries her to no end that Aggie will climb so high. What if she falls. They tend to fight about it a lot.
Then there is another girl, Celia, who is sixteen. She is at her grandmother's for the summer and feels very betrayed by her dad. Her mother had left them several months earlier so Celia felt like her dad was deserting her also. She is very rebellious and filled with anger. She is intent on running away. Then word comes that Aggie is missing and a search ensues.
This book is very well written. It's told from Aggie and Celia's POVs. About what all is happening during this time. You will meet a few characters. Some you will love and some not so much. One I truly detested. You will feel both of these girl's pain and despair. Sugar Birds is filled with lots of beauty. Lots of emotion. It's very good and one that will stick with you. You'll root for both of these young ladies to prevail.
There is one part that made this book loose a star but I can't say because it would be a spoiler. I don't do spoilers.
4 out of 5 stars. It's good. Read it with a few Kleenex handy. You will need them.
Sugar Birds is a Literary fiction book that deals with a family. A family that has problems as most do. The Hayes family are a typical but somewhat unique family. A dad, mom and two children, a son and daughter.
Aggie is a ten year old little girl who loves birds. Anything to do with birds. She climbs trees like they are nothing. Really truly high trees. Her mother, who suffers from depression, does not like this. It worries her to no end that Aggie will climb so high. What if she falls. They tend to fight about it a lot.
Then there is another girl, Celia, who is sixteen. She is at her grandmother's for the summer and feels very betrayed by her dad. Her mother had left them several months earlier so Celia felt like her dad was deserting her also. She is very rebellious and filled with anger. She is intent on running away. Then word comes that Aggie is missing and a search ensues.
This book is very well written. It's told from Aggie and Celia's POVs. About what all is happening during this time. You will meet a few characters. Some you will love and some not so much. One I truly detested. You will feel both of these girl's pain and despair. Sugar Birds is filled with lots of beauty. Lots of emotion. It's very good and one that will stick with you. You'll root for both of these young ladies to prevail.
There is one part that made this book loose a star but I can't say because it would be a spoiler. I don't do spoilers.
4 out of 5 stars. It's good. Read it with a few Kleenex handy. You will need them.
April 28, 2021
From the delightful map on the opening pages, this captivating tale draws the reader into the woods, fields, and creeks of Northwest Washington as experienced through the minds of two young girls. Interactions of the characters with each other, mystery, danger, and the beauty of the natural world drive a compelling storyline. Cheryl Bostrom’s familiarity with the rhythms of this rural area and its human inhabitants, along with her myriad, intricate details of the non-human creatures inhabiting it, permeate the book. An intuitive understanding of people as a part of wild nature has been almost entirely lost in modern society. This book brings a glimpse of the importance of the outdoors to children’s development and indeed, to their very souls. A highly recommended choice to inspire readers of all ages to simply go outside!
March 17, 2021
If you liked Where the Crawdads Sing, you'll love Sugar Birds. A story of two young women, each on their own separate journey through crisis and survival. One is cared for by nature and her own wilderness skills; the other is guided by the people in her life. Both discover their own inner strength and learn to love themselves. When their paths finally cross, they are able to care for the other and save them from further harm. Full of outdoor adventure and wisdom, Sugar Birds will warm your heart as these two discover who really loves and cares for them.
Cheryl Grey Bostrom's writing style is so fun, inviting and descriptive that you are instantly immersed in the characters' world. Sugar Birds is a book destined for the bestseller list.
Cheryl Grey Bostrom's writing style is so fun, inviting and descriptive that you are instantly immersed in the characters' world. Sugar Birds is a book destined for the bestseller list.
April 20, 2021
Sugar Birds, by Cheryl Grey Bostrom, is a riveting story with beautifully drawn characters about families, the love of nature, and everything good about being a human being. I could not put it down, which is saying a lot, because, quite frankly, I haven’t read a fiction book all the way through in many years. The charming imagery of the rural farmland setting sets a tone of warmth and caring, cruelly disturbed by tragic events and human failings. The book lovingly and convincingly tells the story of recovery, resistance to evil, and redemption with a style of writing that brings you into the woods and into the souls of those facing the challenges of family life in the midst of tragedy and love. I cannot recommend this book highly enough for all to read.
November 5, 2022
1985 Washington
Good debut!
This coming of age tale is told through two voices. Agate "Aggie" is a pre-teen that feels guilty after accidentally setting fire to her family's home. 16 year old Celia is bitter because her mom left and her dad dumped her far from her friends in Houston to spend the summer with her grandmother. Both of their voices captured my interest.
One section of animal cruelty.
I look forward to what this author will offer next.
Good debut!
This coming of age tale is told through two voices. Agate "Aggie" is a pre-teen that feels guilty after accidentally setting fire to her family's home. 16 year old Celia is bitter because her mom left and her dad dumped her far from her friends in Houston to spend the summer with her grandmother. Both of their voices captured my interest.
One section of animal cruelty.
I look forward to what this author will offer next.
May 28, 2021
Cheryl Bostrom’s new novel, Sugar Birds, drew me in from the first page. I fell in love with Agate and soon found myself cheering for her as she faced a major loss and survival on her own. As she grows in understanding of who she is, Agate meets another young girl who is facing her own trials and family dysfunction. As the two stories overlap and intertwine, Cheryl does a beautiful job of drawing us deeper into understanding family, loss, survival, and how to rebuild our lives after tragedy.
I enjoyed Cheryl’s attention to detail, her knowledge of nature in the Pacific Northwest, and her character development. The pace of the story kept me engaged and wanting to know what was going to happen next. I highly recommend this book.
I enjoyed Cheryl’s attention to detail, her knowledge of nature in the Pacific Northwest, and her character development. The pace of the story kept me engaged and wanting to know what was going to happen next. I highly recommend this book.
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