Sugar Birds: A Novel

Written by Cheryl Grey Bostrom

Narrated by Jayne Entwistle

WINNER: 2021 AMERICAN FICTION AWARDS

WINNER: CHRISTIANITY TODAY’S 2022 FICTION AWARD OF MERIT

WINNER: 2022 ACFW CAROL AWARD

GOLD WINNER: 2022 IPPY AWARD

FINALIST: 2022 CHRISTY AWARD

WINNER: 2022 INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARDS

SILVER WINNER: 2022 NAUTILUS AWARD

WINNER: 2021 BEST BOOK AWARD

SILVER WINNER: 2021 FOREWORD INDIES AWARD

SILVER WINNER: 2021 READER'S FAVORITE AWARD

NW WASHINGTON STATE, 1985

For years, Harris Hayes has taught his daughter, Aggie, the ways of the northern woods, where she sketches nests of wild birds as an antidote to sadness. Then her unpredictable mother forbids her to climb the trees that give her sanctuary and comfort. Angry, ten-year-old Aggie accidentally lights a tragic fire and flees downriver. She lands her boat near untamed forest, then hides among trees and creatures she considers her only friends—determined to remain undiscovered.

A search party gathers hours after Celia 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.

Ideal for fans of Where the Crawdads Sing and The Great Alone, Sugar Birds is a layered, riveting story set in the breathtaking natural world—where characters encounter the mending power of forgiveness, for themselves and for those who have failed them.

Winner of multiple Earphones, Odyssey, and Odyssey Honor Awards, Jayne Entwistle's narration has landed on Audiofile Magazine's list of Best Audiobooks of the Year.

***

" A true page-turner . . . An engrossing tale." —KIRKUS REVIEWS

• Language: English
• Publisher: She Writes Press
• Release date: Aug 3, 2021
• ISBN: 9781664951228

Reviews for Sugar Birds

[Thea Kavanaugh · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It took me a while to figure out the characters and the storyline but I am glad I didn’t give up on this book. Once I understood the characters, I was hooked. I loved reading about the journey of a young girl hiding in the forest and that of a teenage girl hiding from life and how their lives come together to exhibit that of self discovery and growth.

[Olivia Nunley · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a sweet book! As a child of the 70s and 80s I really enjoyed it. It was a refreshing break from all the fantasy out there!

[Heidi Piper-Ward · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What a lovely read. Poignant with a sweet ending. I love Aggie.

[Debbie Jayne Doolin · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Beautiful! Beautiful! BEAUTIFUL! A lovely story with outstanding narration and the markings of a true classic!

This is one of the rare few I already know I'll read again, and well worth the purchase of a hardcopy to sit on my shelf occasionally, and share with all my dearest friends all the rest of the time.

There is good, and there is bad, with many shades of in-between and some great sorrow and meanness, but nothing truly ugly written out to scar ones's mind and heart. A man's evil intentions become apparent, but never truly come to fruition. This was a great relief to me!

Language is clean, respect (and deep love) for other generations, a gentle unfolding of what God's love can really look like in one's life, and kindness and hope for those suffering mental illness or unfamiliar differences (and talents)... and an increasing appreciation of the outdoors, family, commitment, loyalty, the land, and the Lord, all make this a novel to cherish and a story that will stay with me for a long time.

Do we dare hope for a sequel???!!? I'm not ready to say farewell to these characters I've come to adore!

Praise God for talented wordsmiths and exceptional writers! What a wonder He has wrought! One gets the feeling this author has given from her very soul.

[chwnchrist_669369988 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fabulous story-telling! No magical, overly-romantic ending, just real human choices and their consequences, guided by the love of our Great Father.

[LibbyLintonSellers · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It was a very unique book and I think the author being a naturalist and wildlife photographer and married to a vet is part of why it was so unique. My husband and I listened to the audio version,

[Derek Wabwire · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A simple and beautiful story about survival and self discovery.

[julieta0691 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Beautiful heartwarming story about forgiveness, remorse, friendship, family and love