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Birdie's Bargain
In a poignant and unflinching new realistic novel from the Newbery Medal–winning author of Bridge to Terabithia, a ten-year-old girl makes a deal with God for her father's safe return from the Iraq War.
Birdie has questions for God. For starters, why couldn’t God roll history back to September 10, 2001, and fix things—so the next day was an ordinary sunny day and not the devastating lead-in to two wars? Daddy has already been to Iraq twice. Now he’s going again, and Birdie is sure he’ll die. At the very least, she won’t see him again for a year, and everything will not be OK. (Why do grown-ups lie?) To save money, she, Mom, and baby Billy have moved to Gran’s, where shy Birdie must attend a new school, and no one but bossy Alicia Marie Suggs welcomes her. Doesn’t God remember how hard it was for Birdie to make friends at Bible Camp? Counselor Ron taught about Judgment there—and the right way to believe. Has Birdie been praying wrong? Why else would God break their bargain? Readers of all faiths and backgrounds, especially children of military families, will identify with and root for the unforgettable Birdie, given inimitable voice by a master storyteller.
Birdie has questions for God. For starters, why couldn’t God roll history back to September 10, 2001, and fix things—so the next day was an ordinary sunny day and not the devastating lead-in to two wars? Daddy has already been to Iraq twice. Now he’s going again, and Birdie is sure he’ll die. At the very least, she won’t see him again for a year, and everything will not be OK. (Why do grown-ups lie?) To save money, she, Mom, and baby Billy have moved to Gran’s, where shy Birdie must attend a new school, and no one but bossy Alicia Marie Suggs welcomes her. Doesn’t God remember how hard it was for Birdie to make friends at Bible Camp? Counselor Ron taught about Judgment there—and the right way to believe. Has Birdie been praying wrong? Why else would God break their bargain? Readers of all faiths and backgrounds, especially children of military families, will identify with and root for the unforgettable Birdie, given inimitable voice by a master storyteller.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published October 19, 2021
3 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Paterson
164 books2,386 followersKatherine Womeldorf Paterson is an American writer best known for children's novels, including Bridge to Terabithia. For four different books published 1975–1980, she won two Newbery Medals and two National Book Awards. She is one of four people to win the two major international awards; for "lasting contribution to children's literature" she won the biennial Hans Christian Andersen Award for Writing in 1998 and for her career contribution to "children's and young adult literature in the broadest sense" she won the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award from the Swedish Arts Council in 2006, the biggest monetary prize in children's literature. Also for her body of work she was awarded the NSK Neustadt Prize for Children's Literature in 2007 and the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal from the American Library Association in 2013. She was the second US National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, serving 2010 and 2011.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 15, 2021
Emotional and heartfelt - this novel is perfect for middle grade readers who are dealing with a parent in the military, confusion about Christianity, and struggling with friends. Birdie is upset that their parents have to move their family into Gram's house while her father is deployed for a third time because money is too tight. She has to go to a new school, lose her friends, and sleep in the world's tiniest bedroom. But the worst part is her dad leaving, Birdie is convinced he will die in Iraq. The third time is the charm. She makes a bargain with God that she will pray and honor him if he just keeps her dad safe. But not all promises can be kept. A good fictional account on struggling with religion and trying to process grief and anger. She's also a far from perfect heroine so she is a relatable character for kids to read about.
December 11, 2021
Birdie's father has been called up to war again, and the rest of the family must go to stay with Gran for the duration. Birdie is very worried about her father going to Afghanistan and she makes a deal with God that she will be good if God will bring her father home safely. And then God doesn't. What does this mean? Why didn't God make good on his part of the deal? Is there a God at all? And is God really like the God she learned about at Bible Camp?
I don't run across enough stories with families who struggle economically, like Birdie's family does, and I don't run across enough stories about children who think seriously about spiritual issues, and this book takes on both of these themes and does a good job with both.
I don't run across enough stories with families who struggle economically, like Birdie's family does, and I don't run across enough stories about children who think seriously about spiritual issues, and this book takes on both of these themes and does a good job with both.
November 20, 2024
This wasn’t my favorite, but Paterson came through with hope in the end. I enjoyed Birdie’s reading and her family a lot. The bad theology she picked up at camp and the awkwardness of the situation with Alicia rough for me to read. True, but rough.
July 6, 2023
It's been a long while since I read Bridge to Terabithia and these days I'm certainly not the target audience for a book like Birdie's Bargain but I received a review copy and felt like giving it a try. The book is centered around young Birdie and her struggles to find her place.
Her father is in the military and has just been shipped overseas (again). Due to the financial stresses on the family, she and her mother are moving in with Birdie's grandmother, a fact that Birdie is not happy about. Birdie acts out in small ways, pouting and fighting opportunities to engage with her grandmother and the new surroundings.
The author keeps us close inside Birdie's head as she narrates her thoughts, feelings and interpretations of what's going on. Early on, we learn that Birdie and her family are rather religious as evidenced by Birdie having attended a Bible camp and proudly wearing her "I love Jesus" T-shirt. So when she makes a bargain with God to be well behaved if He protects her father, it feels fairly natural.
She does put some heavy effort into her behavior and trying to be Christlike based on what she's learned but she begins to question some of her interpretations as she interacts with a new neighborhood friend. Her crises of faith really continues as she learns that her father was injured. She struggles to reconcile what's going on and what she believes.
From my standpoint, the book was an interesting read but felt somewhat superficial and forced. I kept wanting more depth from Birdie or from her grandmother (and possibly her mother, though the author did make it believable that the mother was rather frazzled due to all of her stresses). I would have liked to see deeper interactions and conclusions. But for the target age range of the book, it did well in presenting a tough situation and giving children things to think about and potentially relate to.
***
2.5 out of 5 stars
Her father is in the military and has just been shipped overseas (again). Due to the financial stresses on the family, she and her mother are moving in with Birdie's grandmother, a fact that Birdie is not happy about. Birdie acts out in small ways, pouting and fighting opportunities to engage with her grandmother and the new surroundings.
The author keeps us close inside Birdie's head as she narrates her thoughts, feelings and interpretations of what's going on. Early on, we learn that Birdie and her family are rather religious as evidenced by Birdie having attended a Bible camp and proudly wearing her "I love Jesus" T-shirt. So when she makes a bargain with God to be well behaved if He protects her father, it feels fairly natural.
She does put some heavy effort into her behavior and trying to be Christlike based on what she's learned but she begins to question some of her interpretations as she interacts with a new neighborhood friend. Her crises of faith really continues as she learns that her father was injured. She struggles to reconcile what's going on and what she believes.
From my standpoint, the book was an interesting read but felt somewhat superficial and forced. I kept wanting more depth from Birdie or from her grandmother (and possibly her mother, though the author did make it believable that the mother was rather frazzled due to all of her stresses). I would have liked to see deeper interactions and conclusions. But for the target age range of the book, it did well in presenting a tough situation and giving children things to think about and potentially relate to.
***
2.5 out of 5 stars
January 13, 2022
The author hijacks Birdie's story, and in the end makes the book about her universalist ideas of who God is and how He should act.
November 10, 2023
In a story set in the early years following 9/11, ten-year-old Birdie is so mad that the attacks ever happened, setting off war, and sending her National Guard daddy on his third tour of duty in Iraq. Having attended a summer church camp and hearing of the strict, demanding, emphais on rule-following God, she makes a "deal" with Him through prayer that she'll wear her "I Love Jesus" t-shirt to remind her of her commitment to Him and will make an effort to witness of Him.
Because of her father's absence, she, her mother, and baby brother move in with her grandmother, her dad's mother, to save money while he's away. Moving away from her school community and her friends is another problem to add on to the worry for her father and what feels like camping out in a closet-size room at grandma's. Unfortunately, another problem awaits just around the corner. Just before school begins Birdie bumps into Alicia Marie who turns out to be in her class. Alicia is domineering, abrasive, a bully and a liar. She's an outcast at school and by attaching herself to Birdie makes Birdie an outcast too.
When Birdie's dad is wounded and crippled, Birdie is left to believe that either she didn't pray in the right way or that there is no God. The spiritual aspects of the story are handled beautifully.
Two wonderful adults - her grandmother and a teacher, Mr. Goldberg - are warm, caring, helpful presences in Birdie's life.
Because of her father's absence, she, her mother, and baby brother move in with her grandmother, her dad's mother, to save money while he's away. Moving away from her school community and her friends is another problem to add on to the worry for her father and what feels like camping out in a closet-size room at grandma's. Unfortunately, another problem awaits just around the corner. Just before school begins Birdie bumps into Alicia Marie who turns out to be in her class. Alicia is domineering, abrasive, a bully and a liar. She's an outcast at school and by attaching herself to Birdie makes Birdie an outcast too.
When Birdie's dad is wounded and crippled, Birdie is left to believe that either she didn't pray in the right way or that there is no God. The spiritual aspects of the story are handled beautifully.
Two wonderful adults - her grandmother and a teacher, Mr. Goldberg - are warm, caring, helpful presences in Birdie's life.
November 28, 2021
This special story by Katherine Paterson is about Birdie, a ten-year-old really named Elizabeth, but her Daddy calls her Birdie. Paterson gives her the task of telling her story, the year her Daddy had to return to Iraq, which meant they had to move in with her Gran, his mother, and Birdie's stuck in what seems like a big closet, or so she tells. Like the verse novel I shared a week ago, this book shows how much a child thinks about things, is influenced by adults, and how many worries and tough events they will not tell! Even Birdie, who is religious, loves Jesus, lies to get out of "telling". This time she's made a bargain with God to keep her Daddy safe. When that "promise" Birdie has made is broken, quite a lot falls apart. It's a serious book that includes other bullies at the new school, a girl classmate bully with secrets of her own, and some really caring adults, thank goodness. It's not long and tense moments certainly kept me reading!
Thanks to Candlewick Press for this copy!
Thanks to Candlewick Press for this copy!
November 7, 2023
This was an interesting look at religion from the perspective of a 10-year-old. Whether you're a believer or not, you've probably sought out some sort of calm through prayer when life got turbulent. It might have been to God or source, the universe, or some other higher power. But what happens when the thing you were praying or wishing wouldn't happen does anyway? Does that mean God still exists?
That's the theme of Paterson's "Birdie's Bargain." Patterson does an excellent job of portraying the pendulum of wanting to do the right thing and getting approval; that balance is most often a struggle as we grow up. How Birdie deals with a friend who might actually be a bully is highly relatable. How she ties her understanding of religion to that is too.
You don't have to be religious to appreciate this book. I certainly am not, but I still could relate to Birdie, who's learning what living a virtuous life actually means and how to do it. We might not get everything we wish or pray for. But there's value in the resilience we gain.
That's the theme of Paterson's "Birdie's Bargain." Patterson does an excellent job of portraying the pendulum of wanting to do the right thing and getting approval; that balance is most often a struggle as we grow up. How Birdie deals with a friend who might actually be a bully is highly relatable. How she ties her understanding of religion to that is too.
You don't have to be religious to appreciate this book. I certainly am not, but I still could relate to Birdie, who's learning what living a virtuous life actually means and how to do it. We might not get everything we wish or pray for. But there's value in the resilience we gain.
January 27, 2022
gr 4-6
Oh, I do love Katherine Paterson. This was a super interesting chapter book, because it addressed a child thinking about God, and was published by Candlewick, not a religious publisher like Tommy Nelson, etc., and is also not from an evangelical perspective like most religious publishing. The idea that a child would make a deal with God to protect family members is spot on for the age group. This book is also unusual in that it deals with a family whose father has been deployed and the economic cost of this to the family is such that they have to move in with a Grandmother. Birdie navigates a new school, and the over-the-top Alicia Marie, who is hiding a lot of what is going on at her house. Super interesting book. I also have to say I really liked the finishing details of this book as well - not overly crowded on a page (but not baby-ish either) and a good font. These things matter.
Oh, I do love Katherine Paterson. This was a super interesting chapter book, because it addressed a child thinking about God, and was published by Candlewick, not a religious publisher like Tommy Nelson, etc., and is also not from an evangelical perspective like most religious publishing. The idea that a child would make a deal with God to protect family members is spot on for the age group. This book is also unusual in that it deals with a family whose father has been deployed and the economic cost of this to the family is such that they have to move in with a Grandmother. Birdie navigates a new school, and the over-the-top Alicia Marie, who is hiding a lot of what is going on at her house. Super interesting book. I also have to say I really liked the finishing details of this book as well - not overly crowded on a page (but not baby-ish either) and a good font. These things matter.
January 8, 2022
Opening lines from the book ...
It wasn't until the volunteers from the Lions Club had left and they stood in the empty apartment looking at nothing that Birdie realized her bicycle was gone. The sofa, the kitchen table and chairs, all the beds—even the TV—had been carried to the truck. Daddy had finished stuffing the trunk of the Subaru and the tiny U-Haul trailer with all the boxes and baby furniture when she thought of it.
WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THIS BOOK…
1) Birdie is such an introspective girl. I love how we get right into her worries for her daddy who is being shipped out overseas (he's in the Army).
2) Birdie's grandmother is just the right amount of grown-up for this story. She's involved in Birdie's life, but also encourages her to go out and make friends in her new home. There's also Mr. Goldberg, the teacher. Like the grandmother, he's there as a grown-up influence, yet he's not a helicopter-type who ruins the kid's agency in the story.
3) And then we come to Alicia Marie. Oh boy, what a character! She's one of those characters that you can't stand. She's so bossy toward Birdie, and yet there's something about her that makes you feel sorry for her.
4) Finally, there's Daddy. We don't really get to meet him too much as a character. But we do get to know him quite well through Birdie's memories and thoughts.
5) I love when books reference other books. This one talks about Charlotte's Web and Anne Frank's Diary and Because of Winn Dixie. I love how it all affects Birdie's experience.
THINGS THAT BOTHERED ME…
1) If you're looking for a book that wraps everything up neatly with a bow, Katherine Paterson isn't your author. There were a few things, especially about Alicia Marie, that I wanted to know more about. It wasn't anything horribly wrong with the book, but I would have liked a tiny bit of closure there.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I am so thankful for another book by Katherine Paterson! She is such a thought-provoking author. And I really enjoyed this one...
It wasn't until the volunteers from the Lions Club had left and they stood in the empty apartment looking at nothing that Birdie realized her bicycle was gone. The sofa, the kitchen table and chairs, all the beds—even the TV—had been carried to the truck. Daddy had finished stuffing the trunk of the Subaru and the tiny U-Haul trailer with all the boxes and baby furniture when she thought of it.
WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THIS BOOK…
1) Birdie is such an introspective girl. I love how we get right into her worries for her daddy who is being shipped out overseas (he's in the Army).
2) Birdie's grandmother is just the right amount of grown-up for this story. She's involved in Birdie's life, but also encourages her to go out and make friends in her new home. There's also Mr. Goldberg, the teacher. Like the grandmother, he's there as a grown-up influence, yet he's not a helicopter-type who ruins the kid's agency in the story.
3) And then we come to Alicia Marie. Oh boy, what a character! She's one of those characters that you can't stand. She's so bossy toward Birdie, and yet there's something about her that makes you feel sorry for her.
4) Finally, there's Daddy. We don't really get to meet him too much as a character. But we do get to know him quite well through Birdie's memories and thoughts.
5) I love when books reference other books. This one talks about Charlotte's Web and Anne Frank's Diary and Because of Winn Dixie. I love how it all affects Birdie's experience.
THINGS THAT BOTHERED ME…
1) If you're looking for a book that wraps everything up neatly with a bow, Katherine Paterson isn't your author. There were a few things, especially about Alicia Marie, that I wanted to know more about. It wasn't anything horribly wrong with the book, but I would have liked a tiny bit of closure there.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I am so thankful for another book by Katherine Paterson! She is such a thought-provoking author. And I really enjoyed this one...
August 2, 2022
Full disclosure, I am a fan of Katherine Paterson’s writing, and it is no different with this book. A heart rending story of the changes in the life of Birdie’s family when her father is deployed to the Mid East. Beautiful characters expressing the full range of emotions, sadness, anxiety, anger, and resiliency, that are a part of big life changes.
Mrs Paterson, maybe a follow up on Alice/Alicia? Or maybe that too is a part of life, not always knowing what comes for others when they experience big life changes.
Mrs Paterson, maybe a follow up on Alice/Alicia? Or maybe that too is a part of life, not always knowing what comes for others when they experience big life changes.
Read
May 25, 2022Middle grade fiction dealing with a young girl questioning her religion and her belief in God. Also deals with a parent serving in the armed forces who sustains an injury.
Very heavy emphasis on religion.
I question why the character of Alicia is included and her situation at home. It seems to be an after thought and her associated issue serves no noticeable impact on the story.
Read by Suzie
Very heavy emphasis on religion.
I question why the character of Alicia is included and her situation at home. It seems to be an after thought and her associated issue serves no noticeable impact on the story.
Read by Suzie
November 7, 2021
An easy read that had me up way past my bedtime. I don't know what the point of the plane ride was though; it seemed superfluous. And I would have liked a little more resolution on the Alicia situation.
A big thank you to Candlewick Press for the free review copy. And to Mrs. Paterson for still churning them out at 89: you're an inspiration!
A big thank you to Candlewick Press for the free review copy. And to Mrs. Paterson for still churning them out at 89: you're an inspiration!
May 23, 2022
Middle grade fiction dealing with a young girl questioning her religion and her belief in God. Also deals with a parent serving in the armed forces who sustains an injury.
Very heavy emphasis on religion.
I question why the character of Alicia is included and her situation at home. It seems to be an after thought and her associated issue serves no noticeable impact on the story.
Very heavy emphasis on religion.
I question why the character of Alicia is included and her situation at home. It seems to be an after thought and her associated issue serves no noticeable impact on the story.
December 30, 2022
I read this book for the 52 books in 52 weeks reading challenge. I used the 2019 reading challenge prompt read a book that is military related. It had some trigger issues with me, but overall was a decent story. I would have to say i neither thought it was awesome or that i hated it. It was simply a good story.
September 12, 2023
Agree with Chris.
It did seem forced.
And this is a hard admission for me since I’ve loved Paterson for so long and have a dozen or so of her books on my shelf. The writing often seems clumsy - an older writer trying too hard to be “with it”. Many of the details do not, in fact, seem to be up to date.
It did seem forced.
And this is a hard admission for me since I’ve loved Paterson for so long and have a dozen or so of her books on my shelf. The writing often seems clumsy - an older writer trying too hard to be “with it”. Many of the details do not, in fact, seem to be up to date.
October 31, 2021
EARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
It’s great to see a family experience a military deployment in a middle grade story, as that is not often included.
It’s great to see a family experience a military deployment in a middle grade story, as that is not often included.
November 22, 2021
4.75 stars
I've been waiting for this, based on reviews and previews. I started the sneak of the first 3 chapters and wanted more. Thankfully the next day, the library copy was available!
So good. A nice look at tweens struggling with growing up, family upheaval, faith, making new friends and starting a new school, standing up for one's self, being part of a military family. I couldn't put it down. The ending was abrupt but good. I'd love it to continue. Might be time for a reread of "Bridge to Terabithia", which was my favorite childhood story.
I've been waiting for this, based on reviews and previews. I started the sneak of the first 3 chapters and wanted more. Thankfully the next day, the library copy was available!
So good. A nice look at tweens struggling with growing up, family upheaval, faith, making new friends and starting a new school, standing up for one's self, being part of a military family. I couldn't put it down. The ending was abrupt but good. I'd love it to continue. Might be time for a reread of "Bridge to Terabithia", which was my favorite childhood story.
April 23, 2022
I’m so glad Katherine Paterson continues to write. She is a treasure, with her ability to think like a ten year old about friendship, family, and faith.
May 22, 2022
Even not sharing Katherine Patterson's universalist bent in the end, I'm in awe of how well she writes about children and their spirituality.
September 28, 2022
PG: PARENTAL ADVISORY: Conflict and Aggression are limited or moderate. May contain mild profanity suggestive language and brief scenes of nudity.
E:Easy: 3rd grade Vocabulary
E:Easy: 3rd grade Vocabulary
October 27, 2023
read on recommendation of Audrey
It was sweet and honest. Great read to build empathy and has age appropriate discussion of depression.
It was sweet and honest. Great read to build empathy and has age appropriate discussion of depression.
August 18, 2024
Another good story by Paterson. A little too religious for my taste (Birdie's bargain is with God), but a good story about friendship and family just the same. For middle grade readers.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews