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This coming of age story is smoothly written and authentic, filled with nostalgia for those of us who grew up in the 1970s and remember The Brady Bunch and the novelty of Pop Tarts. It packs a powerful punch, too, unlike so many YA and children's books that center around a fairly innocuous premise, like getting past being a new kid. This story deals with a difficult subject, a parent who becomes clinically depressed and suicidal.

Also, the heroine is a bird watcher, wise for her years, thoughtful and sensitive. Her own "nest" is a sanctuary in time of emotional distress. Sadly, our fledgling is forced from the nest long before anyone should have to fly solo.

I'm mortified that child abuse was so common, so under-reported and misunderstood in the 1970s, but equally mortified that Ehrlrich has an adult promising an abused child, "You won't get hurt, I promise." Right. And how does the nice adult intend to make sure of that?

I've debated whether to knock one star off because I've read too many books where adolescents decide to hit the road without telling anyone where they're going. Romanticizing the trope of running away may have appealed to me before I became a mother of three, but now I just get annoyed when I see it again. Giving credit it where it is due, Ehrlrich does a good job of showing the angst and trepidation of one of the runaways.

A surprise twist at the end really isn't surprising at all -- for adult readers -- but it's a great, great scene, almost too sad for me to bear, yet it's spot-on. I'm gratified that when the brave bird-watching girl crumples, a parent is there for her. I wish it were so for all children.

Rich in detail, depressing in its real-life authenticity, but ultimately triumphant, this novel is one I can endorse. Somehow it seems more women's fiction than children's or YA. I'm curious to see how the market will bear it out.