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Sparrow
Winner of the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards Gold Medal for Pre-teen Fiction 2022.
Short-listed for Idaho Book of the Year, 2022.
Winner of the Global Book Awards Gold Medal for Children's Literature 2022.
A boy. A wish. A secret desire gone horribly wrong.
Timothy Sperling misses his mom and dad terribly. Left behind with his miserable uncle while they’re off on an expedition to avert an environmental crisis, the bird-boned boy would give anything to see them again. But when he spies a shooting star, he fears wishing to be reunited with his parents is too selfish and instead asks for snow… only to conjure up a blizzard.
As a town that never sees winter is buried in mountains of white, Timothy teams up with a wise explorer to figure out how to stop the relentless frozen flakes. And with all the blame being shoveled on his family, the clever kid’s connection to sparrows may be his one chance to pull the city out of its deep freeze.
Can Timothy undo his fateful wish and bring back the sunshine?
Sparrow is a high-flying middle-grade novel. If you or your child like relatable characters, timeless settings, and high-stakes adventure, then you’ll love Brian Kindall’s feathered flurries.
Short-listed for Idaho Book of the Year, 2022.
Winner of the Global Book Awards Gold Medal for Children's Literature 2022.
A boy. A wish. A secret desire gone horribly wrong.
Timothy Sperling misses his mom and dad terribly. Left behind with his miserable uncle while they’re off on an expedition to avert an environmental crisis, the bird-boned boy would give anything to see them again. But when he spies a shooting star, he fears wishing to be reunited with his parents is too selfish and instead asks for snow… only to conjure up a blizzard.
As a town that never sees winter is buried in mountains of white, Timothy teams up with a wise explorer to figure out how to stop the relentless frozen flakes. And with all the blame being shoveled on his family, the clever kid’s connection to sparrows may be his one chance to pull the city out of its deep freeze.
Can Timothy undo his fateful wish and bring back the sunshine?
Sparrow is a high-flying middle-grade novel. If you or your child like relatable characters, timeless settings, and high-stakes adventure, then you’ll love Brian Kindall’s feathered flurries.
- GenresMiddle Grade
228 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2022
About the author
Brian Kindall
9 books28 followersBrian Kindall is an author living in the mountains of Central Idaho, a world with long winters perfectly designed for holing up and writing novels. His books range in diversity from classically written middle-grade novels - Blue Sky, Pearl, and Sparrow - to the ongoing adult fiction series, The Epic of Didier Rain novels, Delivering Virtue and Fortuna and the Scapegrace, to his most recent adult novel, Escape from Oblivia – One man’s midlife crisis gone primal. His accolades include gold medals in children's literature at the Moonbeam and Global Book Awards (Sparrow), a finalist for ForeWord Reviews literary novel of the year award (Delivering Virtue), A Seal of Excellence awarded by Awesome Indies (Delivering Virtue), and Editor’s Choice at the Historical Novel Society (Delivering Virtue). Twisted humor is a given in Brian’s work, as those long winters mentioned earlier tend to drive a writer slightly mad.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 29, 2021
Such a dreamy, lyrical read!
Short chapters with the singsong sentences, this short book is such a fun read. At times poignant, at times nostalgic the story is just the perfect read for the coming spring season.
A little boy in search of a way on how to save the town that is covered with snow.
With his ability to connect with sparrows, Timothy tries his best to find the answer.
Such a beautiful and magical read.
Love the writing.
Thank you, IBPA for the advance reading copy. Kudos to the author!
Short chapters with the singsong sentences, this short book is such a fun read. At times poignant, at times nostalgic the story is just the perfect read for the coming spring season.
A little boy in search of a way on how to save the town that is covered with snow.
With his ability to connect with sparrows, Timothy tries his best to find the answer.
Such a beautiful and magical read.
Love the writing.
Thank you, IBPA for the advance reading copy. Kudos to the author!
January 31, 2022
In a Nutshell: A pretty dark middle-grade fiction with brilliant imagery, well-developed characters, and intriguing themes. The ending left me a bit disappointed.
Story:
Where the book worked for me:
😍 I loved the writing style of the author. The prose is so lyrical that I could picture every scene in front of my eyes, though there were no illustrations. In fact, this would have made a wonderful graphic novel because every scene has a brilliant vividness to it. The imagery is the best part of the book.
😍 Sperling is a German/Jewish surname, meaning "sparrow" in English. The ‘sparrow’ motif is woven nicely into the story. Little Timothy Sperling is a sparrow in his name and his appearance, and he is also friends with sparrows and can understand some of their chirps as well. There is also an exotic variant of sparrow who have an important role to play in the story. Thus, though the title sounds simple and staid, it suits the book aptly.
😍 The use of language is impeccable. Every scene has the precise words. The author balances between two approaches: he uses tough words wherever necessary without trying to dumb them down for children, and he uses make-believe words at times, to show the ineptitude of the character in question. This second approach is somewhat risky, as children may not understand which words are genuine and which aren’t. But hey, Roald Dahl got away with it. And such words add a lot of fun to the story. To be perfectly honest with you, I don't know how this book will work for younger tweens as the language is quite difficult at times. But I treasured the array of vocabulary used and found it rich and apt and humorous, just as children's fiction should be.
😍 There are a lot of magical realism elements in the story, and these add a lot to the charm of the narrative. I enjoyed these fantastical flourishes. As in any good fantasy, the author offers no explanation for the magical elements, thus leaving kids to use their own rationale for the whats and the whys.
😍 The book makes a stark comment on several dire themes such as the endlessness of human greed, the misuse of nature, the disregard of the freedom and the lives of other natural creatures, the quickness to judge and so on. Some of the themes are quite dark for children’s fiction but they are written in a fair and thought-provoking way.
😍 It's a very quick read.
Where the book could have worked better for me:
😕 There is a lot of back and forth in the timeline. While I as an adult reader could reorient myself easily, it might not be so effortless for the younger target readers without a chronological reference provided.
😕 I disliked the ending; it was so abrupt and left me wanting more. While there is an epilogue, this gives a more holistic conclusion to the events rather than offer insight on what exactly happened to Timothy and the town of Candela. My rating dipped mainly because of the ending.
Overall, a very interesting and quite fulfilling experience. This might suit slightly older readers more because of its grim topic, but it is certainly worth a read for nature lovers, adventure lovers, dark history lovers, magical realism fans. For an indie work, it is fantastic and I wish the author great success.
4 stars from me.
My thanks to Diving Boy Books, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), and NetGalley for the ARC of “Sparrow”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Story:
Timothy Sperling, fondly called ‘Sparrow’ by his mother, lives in the fictional town of Candela with his uncle “Morris the Morose”. His parents are away on some secret mission, and all he wants is for them to return. When he sees a shooting star, he tries to make this wish but knowing its futility, ends up wishing for snow instead. Never did he imagine that his wish would come true. Candela, which never sees snow, is now showered with snowflakes. This starts off as a delightful flurry but soon turns dangerous as the blizzard shows no signs of stopping. Timothy realises that it is all because of his wish. Will he able to take back his wish and undo the damage?
Where the book worked for me:
😍 I loved the writing style of the author. The prose is so lyrical that I could picture every scene in front of my eyes, though there were no illustrations. In fact, this would have made a wonderful graphic novel because every scene has a brilliant vividness to it. The imagery is the best part of the book.
😍 Sperling is a German/Jewish surname, meaning "sparrow" in English. The ‘sparrow’ motif is woven nicely into the story. Little Timothy Sperling is a sparrow in his name and his appearance, and he is also friends with sparrows and can understand some of their chirps as well. There is also an exotic variant of sparrow who have an important role to play in the story. Thus, though the title sounds simple and staid, it suits the book aptly.
😍 The use of language is impeccable. Every scene has the precise words. The author balances between two approaches: he uses tough words wherever necessary without trying to dumb them down for children, and he uses make-believe words at times, to show the ineptitude of the character in question. This second approach is somewhat risky, as children may not understand which words are genuine and which aren’t. But hey, Roald Dahl got away with it. And such words add a lot of fun to the story. To be perfectly honest with you, I don't know how this book will work for younger tweens as the language is quite difficult at times. But I treasured the array of vocabulary used and found it rich and apt and humorous, just as children's fiction should be.
😍 There are a lot of magical realism elements in the story, and these add a lot to the charm of the narrative. I enjoyed these fantastical flourishes. As in any good fantasy, the author offers no explanation for the magical elements, thus leaving kids to use their own rationale for the whats and the whys.
😍 The book makes a stark comment on several dire themes such as the endlessness of human greed, the misuse of nature, the disregard of the freedom and the lives of other natural creatures, the quickness to judge and so on. Some of the themes are quite dark for children’s fiction but they are written in a fair and thought-provoking way.
😍 It's a very quick read.
Where the book could have worked better for me:
😕 There is a lot of back and forth in the timeline. While I as an adult reader could reorient myself easily, it might not be so effortless for the younger target readers without a chronological reference provided.
😕 I disliked the ending; it was so abrupt and left me wanting more. While there is an epilogue, this gives a more holistic conclusion to the events rather than offer insight on what exactly happened to Timothy and the town of Candela. My rating dipped mainly because of the ending.
Overall, a very interesting and quite fulfilling experience. This might suit slightly older readers more because of its grim topic, but it is certainly worth a read for nature lovers, adventure lovers, dark history lovers, magical realism fans. For an indie work, it is fantastic and I wish the author great success.
4 stars from me.
My thanks to Diving Boy Books, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), and NetGalley for the ARC of “Sparrow”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
March 10, 2022
For whatever reason this book hit me in nostalgia, which I absolutely love. Sparrow is a sweet, albeit lonely young boy whose family has been torn apart by the family curse. So when a shooting star comes across his view he does not wish for what he really wants, he sort of panics and wishes for snow. And as they say, you must be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.
And so, as the town is buried in snow, he learns more about his family, the curse, and must figure out how to stop the never ending snow. The storyline is super creative and I adore Sparrow as our MC. He is just so kind and caring that you can’t help but love him. There’s just enough magic that it seems almost possible and with a snow like that, it just makes you want to believe.
The plot may be simple, but the story is anything but and the journey is so fun to read. I highly recommend this to MG lovers who like a touching story with a smidge of magic and so much heart.
Thanks so much to Brian Kindall for the opportunity to read this for my honest and unbiased review. It was a pleasure!!
And so, as the town is buried in snow, he learns more about his family, the curse, and must figure out how to stop the never ending snow. The storyline is super creative and I adore Sparrow as our MC. He is just so kind and caring that you can’t help but love him. There’s just enough magic that it seems almost possible and with a snow like that, it just makes you want to believe.
The plot may be simple, but the story is anything but and the journey is so fun to read. I highly recommend this to MG lovers who like a touching story with a smidge of magic and so much heart.
Thanks so much to Brian Kindall for the opportunity to read this for my honest and unbiased review. It was a pleasure!!
January 2, 2022
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
Sparrow is the first book by Brian Kindall that I've read and it won't be the last! This captivating read is so beautifully and lyrically written. I loved how the author spun the settings within the story to make them seem so magical.
Timothy (Sparrow) lives with his uncle, a disgraced fashion designer, remotely and misses his mother deeply. His mother went on a boating expedition to look for a breed of Sparrow that was put to extinction by his uncle's work, and she never returned.
This book has some beautiful literature within it ideal for a class read and I enjoyed every second of it. The characters were quirky and likeable and I can't wait to discover more from this talented author.
Sparrow is the first book by Brian Kindall that I've read and it won't be the last! This captivating read is so beautifully and lyrically written. I loved how the author spun the settings within the story to make them seem so magical.
Timothy (Sparrow) lives with his uncle, a disgraced fashion designer, remotely and misses his mother deeply. His mother went on a boating expedition to look for a breed of Sparrow that was put to extinction by his uncle's work, and she never returned.
This book has some beautiful literature within it ideal for a class read and I enjoyed every second of it. The characters were quirky and likeable and I can't wait to discover more from this talented author.
December 29, 2021
4 Stars
Timothy ‘Sparrow’ Sperling misses his mother. He knows what to wish on a shooting star but falters and ends up asking for snow. Candela hasn’t seen snow in a long, long time. The folks are excited until it doesn’t stop snowing. Candela is covered with snow, so much that people have dug snow tunnels to move around.
Timothy knows needs to do something to save Candela. His uncle, Morris is already deep in despair about what happened in the past. The townsfolk blame Morris even though they are equally to blame for the ‘disaster’.
Timothy finds help from an unexpected source, and of course, it’s his beloved sparrows and a mysterious girl that show him the light. But life doesn’t go as planned, and Timothy needs to be very brave to pull off the job. Can the little kid save Candela from neverending snow?
The book is classified as middle-grade fiction and fits right in. It’s slightly dark and heavy with a few lighter moments. This isn’t a book you read for enjoyment, though magic realism works its magic rather well.
Themes such as conserving nature, ornithology, human greed, and righting the wrong play a prominent role in the book. The prose dips in and out to suit the changing moods. The ending is a little abrupt, though there’s an epilogue to give enough information for readers to imagine the rest.
The cover is beautiful, but there are no other illustrations inside. I so wish there was one for every chapter. The imagery is vivid, and having a few illustrations on the side would have made a lot of difference.
To sum up, Sparrow is a bittersweet book with valuable lessons for kids. But it is heavier than regular middle-grade fiction.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Diving Boy Books and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#NetGalley #Sparrow
Timothy ‘Sparrow’ Sperling misses his mother. He knows what to wish on a shooting star but falters and ends up asking for snow. Candela hasn’t seen snow in a long, long time. The folks are excited until it doesn’t stop snowing. Candela is covered with snow, so much that people have dug snow tunnels to move around.
Timothy knows needs to do something to save Candela. His uncle, Morris is already deep in despair about what happened in the past. The townsfolk blame Morris even though they are equally to blame for the ‘disaster’.
Timothy finds help from an unexpected source, and of course, it’s his beloved sparrows and a mysterious girl that show him the light. But life doesn’t go as planned, and Timothy needs to be very brave to pull off the job. Can the little kid save Candela from neverending snow?
The book is classified as middle-grade fiction and fits right in. It’s slightly dark and heavy with a few lighter moments. This isn’t a book you read for enjoyment, though magic realism works its magic rather well.
Themes such as conserving nature, ornithology, human greed, and righting the wrong play a prominent role in the book. The prose dips in and out to suit the changing moods. The ending is a little abrupt, though there’s an epilogue to give enough information for readers to imagine the rest.
The cover is beautiful, but there are no other illustrations inside. I so wish there was one for every chapter. The imagery is vivid, and having a few illustrations on the side would have made a lot of difference.
To sum up, Sparrow is a bittersweet book with valuable lessons for kids. But it is heavier than regular middle-grade fiction.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Diving Boy Books and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#NetGalley #Sparrow
January 6, 2022
I received an advanced reader copy of Brian Kindall’s Sparrow in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley and the publishers, for which I am grateful. Timothy Sperling, or Sparrow as one might come to know him, is one of Candela’s citizens. Left behind by his parents, who underwent a mission to prevent an environmental crisis, Sparrow finds himself terribly missing his mother and father; however, when he has the opportunity to wish to be reunited with them he feels too selfish, so, instead, he wishes for snow. The novel follows the adventures he embarks on trying to save Candela from a blizzard that buried the city in mountains of snow.
Sparrow is a beautifully written middle-grade fiction novel that depicts the story with short, but meaningful sentences and realistic and detailed descriptions of the surroundings that convey a certain lyrical feeling to it. I found the writing style particularly outstanding not for how fast paced it makes the book, but for how gracefully the author manages to approach subjects often considered delicate: conserving nature, childhood, environmental crisis and ornithology. If I’m frank, I don’t think I’ve ever read a book so original in terms of the plot, an aspect that most certainly weighed in on my appreciation for it. Another literary device that Kindall uses is imagery that, considering the target audience, is beneficial in building up a vivid story one cannot help but be present in. Not only the writing style, but the characters contribute to its value as well. I found them quite relatable and well rounded: the author reassures through Sparrow that there is always hope and magic, you just have to really believe in it. More than that, the readers finding themselves in the same position as Sparrow are to a certain degree reassured that they’re not alone.
Although it was an exceptional read, I had a personal “issue” with the ending. While the story was exceptionally written, with carefully chosen words that match the tone and it entailed subjects that are rarely approached in middle-grade novels, I found the ending a little abrupt, leaving the reader with unanswered questions. However, there is an epilogue that allows the reader to fill in the blank spaces, which, on a second thought, is a clever way of promoting imagination. Regardless, I recommend Sparrow to children that enjoy books revolving around nature, especially birds, but not only as I believe older children (some might call them adults) would also enjoy it.
Sparrow is a beautifully written middle-grade fiction novel that depicts the story with short, but meaningful sentences and realistic and detailed descriptions of the surroundings that convey a certain lyrical feeling to it. I found the writing style particularly outstanding not for how fast paced it makes the book, but for how gracefully the author manages to approach subjects often considered delicate: conserving nature, childhood, environmental crisis and ornithology. If I’m frank, I don’t think I’ve ever read a book so original in terms of the plot, an aspect that most certainly weighed in on my appreciation for it. Another literary device that Kindall uses is imagery that, considering the target audience, is beneficial in building up a vivid story one cannot help but be present in. Not only the writing style, but the characters contribute to its value as well. I found them quite relatable and well rounded: the author reassures through Sparrow that there is always hope and magic, you just have to really believe in it. More than that, the readers finding themselves in the same position as Sparrow are to a certain degree reassured that they’re not alone.
Although it was an exceptional read, I had a personal “issue” with the ending. While the story was exceptionally written, with carefully chosen words that match the tone and it entailed subjects that are rarely approached in middle-grade novels, I found the ending a little abrupt, leaving the reader with unanswered questions. However, there is an epilogue that allows the reader to fill in the blank spaces, which, on a second thought, is a clever way of promoting imagination. Regardless, I recommend Sparrow to children that enjoy books revolving around nature, especially birds, but not only as I believe older children (some might call them adults) would also enjoy it.
February 7, 2022
When Timothy Sperling wishes for snow on a shooting star, he doesn’t expect it to come true. Instead, he wakes up to a pile of snow in his otherwise snowless town of Candela. But when it keeps snowing, this present surprise becomes a disaster, and Timothy must team up with an explorer to figure out how to stop the snow from falling. In the process, he uncovers a dark family history that he had never known before and sees how the actions of the past have led to this moment.
Sparrow is a charming middle grade adventure folktale about family, love, and loneliness. It’s grounded in a sophisticated backstory with a young, noble hero and a fairytale-like setting. I recommend it to mature middle grade readers who love stories about outcasts, dysfunctional families, and righting the wrongs of the past.
You can read my full review here: https://laurasbooksandblogs.com/sparr...
Sparrow is a charming middle grade adventure folktale about family, love, and loneliness. It’s grounded in a sophisticated backstory with a young, noble hero and a fairytale-like setting. I recommend it to mature middle grade readers who love stories about outcasts, dysfunctional families, and righting the wrongs of the past.
You can read my full review here: https://laurasbooksandblogs.com/sparr...
February 4, 2022
Wishes can change the world, so be careful how you phrase them.
Some of the most memorable scenes were the ones that explored guilt and regret. Timothy’s uncle had made a terrible mistake many years ago that still haunted their family when this tale began. There were also some things that Timothy himself regretted doing, so uncle and nephew were on similar journeys to fix the troubles that they’d caused. It was fascinating to see how both of these characters approached the question of how best to do that, especially for the problems they were dealing with that didn’t seem to have easy solutions at all.
It would have been helpful to have a little more time spent on world building. I was intrigued by what was included, but there was never quite enough of it for me to feel immersed in the city of Candela or in the lives of the people who lived there. Having more details about this community in general and how it functioned would have gone a long way in giving me the opportunity to lose myself in their world. If this had been included, I would have happily chosen a five-star rating instead.
I adored the way magic was used in this book. Sometimes it flowed so quietly that it would have been easy to overlook it entirely. Other scenes included more obvious examples of how it worked, but even then it fit into the landscape so seamlessly that characters didn’t always necessarily realize just how special those experiences were. Occasionally, it was so blatant that no one could deny it, but in every case I loved seeing how the characters reacted to the existence of magic in their universe and how even the smallest choices they made could be magically amplified in all sorts of clever ways.
Sparrow was a delightful winter read.
Some of the most memorable scenes were the ones that explored guilt and regret. Timothy’s uncle had made a terrible mistake many years ago that still haunted their family when this tale began. There were also some things that Timothy himself regretted doing, so uncle and nephew were on similar journeys to fix the troubles that they’d caused. It was fascinating to see how both of these characters approached the question of how best to do that, especially for the problems they were dealing with that didn’t seem to have easy solutions at all.
It would have been helpful to have a little more time spent on world building. I was intrigued by what was included, but there was never quite enough of it for me to feel immersed in the city of Candela or in the lives of the people who lived there. Having more details about this community in general and how it functioned would have gone a long way in giving me the opportunity to lose myself in their world. If this had been included, I would have happily chosen a five-star rating instead.
I adored the way magic was used in this book. Sometimes it flowed so quietly that it would have been easy to overlook it entirely. Other scenes included more obvious examples of how it worked, but even then it fit into the landscape so seamlessly that characters didn’t always necessarily realize just how special those experiences were. Occasionally, it was so blatant that no one could deny it, but in every case I loved seeing how the characters reacted to the existence of magic in their universe and how even the smallest choices they made could be magically amplified in all sorts of clever ways.
Sparrow was a delightful winter read.
January 21, 2022
A glimpse of the cover caught my attention to where this story goes. At first I thought it was a children's book but reading through the pages left me mesmerized with the writing style of the author. It was literary and unlike any supposedly children's books- it takes to much brain power to comprehend.
As I felt the main protagonist's wish, I knew I was this little sparrow; alone, longing and wishing that I also wanted to see my mom.
It was enlighting, some are poignant but still I felt that I needed to know more. Thank you. #Sparrow #Netgalley
As I felt the main protagonist's wish, I knew I was this little sparrow; alone, longing and wishing that I also wanted to see my mom.
It was enlighting, some are poignant but still I felt that I needed to know more. Thank you. #Sparrow #Netgalley
March 18, 2022
Surely no one can experience extraordinary adventures without being transformed! Kindall is a master at creating characters, from petty thieves and tormented fornicators in his adult books to the wide-eyed wonder of children in his middle-grade books, he develops his characters in layers of thoughtful dialogue and fantastical vocabulary. A joyful sense of wonder permeates all his work, a holdover from the wonder and magic of childhood that many of us lose as we navigate the serious business of adult life. While this book is suggested for children ages 8 – 12, I found it pleasant reading from an adult perspective and could easily imagine a series of bedtime reads for parents of children younger the eight. Reading this book with your child will surely transform you both.
Tim, aka Sparrow, must discover what wrongs his family has perpetrated upon the family name of Wellbeck. What is the family’s momentous muddle all about? Along with the residents of his village of Candela, Tim strives to puzzle out the mystery and the magic of a momentous and unprecedented snowstorm that threatens their existence. What has this snowstorm got to do with the demise of the Ocular Sparrow? With Tim? With wishing upon a star?
The orphaned son of a pair of ornithologists, Tim lives with, and is supposedly chaperoned by, his self-absorbed and unapproachable Uncle Morris. Morris the Morose lives within the self-imposed bars of a cage, much like a captive bird. One wonders who is caring for whom in this troubled relationship. The boy’s sorrow and loneliness leak out in song, which attracts sparrows to his bleak room at the tippy-top of Wellbeck Tower offering brief moments of joy.
Woven into the magic and mystery of the tale are important themes for children and adults alike to ponder. Among them are sin, shame, sorrow, betrayal, the power of faith and of hope, and of shared values; the power of a misplaced wish— “A wish upon a star can only be undone by another wish upon another star. Everyone knows that.” But I didn’t. Did you? Also what are the consequences of human greed and fashion fads to the natural world? Perhaps you’ve observed the intoxicating hope of luring new industry and wealth to a community that has fallen on hard times? Sometimes that works. Sometimes not. Have you ever considered that “Nature occasionally suffers a case of the hiccups, and two remarkable pieces of the world come together to make something new and even more remarkable”? How many mysteries of life and the natural world are a result of a simple hiccup?
One last consideration: Be careful what you wish for. Sparrow starts with Tim wishing upon a falling star for snow, which really wasn’t what was in his heart. What he was not impractical or brave enough to wish for was his mother.
And, no mystery involving a little boy as protagonist is complete without a secret door.
FYI: I purchased this book from my local independent bookstore, Rediscovered Books.
Tim, aka Sparrow, must discover what wrongs his family has perpetrated upon the family name of Wellbeck. What is the family’s momentous muddle all about? Along with the residents of his village of Candela, Tim strives to puzzle out the mystery and the magic of a momentous and unprecedented snowstorm that threatens their existence. What has this snowstorm got to do with the demise of the Ocular Sparrow? With Tim? With wishing upon a star?
The orphaned son of a pair of ornithologists, Tim lives with, and is supposedly chaperoned by, his self-absorbed and unapproachable Uncle Morris. Morris the Morose lives within the self-imposed bars of a cage, much like a captive bird. One wonders who is caring for whom in this troubled relationship. The boy’s sorrow and loneliness leak out in song, which attracts sparrows to his bleak room at the tippy-top of Wellbeck Tower offering brief moments of joy.
Woven into the magic and mystery of the tale are important themes for children and adults alike to ponder. Among them are sin, shame, sorrow, betrayal, the power of faith and of hope, and of shared values; the power of a misplaced wish— “A wish upon a star can only be undone by another wish upon another star. Everyone knows that.” But I didn’t. Did you? Also what are the consequences of human greed and fashion fads to the natural world? Perhaps you’ve observed the intoxicating hope of luring new industry and wealth to a community that has fallen on hard times? Sometimes that works. Sometimes not. Have you ever considered that “Nature occasionally suffers a case of the hiccups, and two remarkable pieces of the world come together to make something new and even more remarkable”? How many mysteries of life and the natural world are a result of a simple hiccup?
One last consideration: Be careful what you wish for. Sparrow starts with Tim wishing upon a falling star for snow, which really wasn’t what was in his heart. What he was not impractical or brave enough to wish for was his mother.
And, no mystery involving a little boy as protagonist is complete without a secret door.
FYI: I purchased this book from my local independent bookstore, Rediscovered Books.
August 26, 2022
“Sparrow” is a captivating book about a boy named Timothy Sperling who loves birds. His mother has gone away to the White Sea to save the last Ocular Sparrows, so Timothy lives alone with his crabby uncle. It never snows in his hometown, so when Timothy spots a shooting star, he grabs the opportunity and wishes for it to snow. He can hardly believe his eyes when the next morning he awakens to a flurry of white! However, what seems like a blessing soon turns into a curse when the miraculous snowstorm is still there the next day and is showing no signs of letting up. Our bird-based hero must find a way to stop the never-ending snowstorm before the town is buried forever.
If Kindall’s goal is to create a fun bird-lover’s book packed with questions and suspense, then I believe he accomplished exactly what he envisioned. For example: Along the way, Timothy comes across a shadowy girl, who disappears as soon as she’s spotted. An example: on page 12: “That’s the very place from where Timothy Sperling sang his song. His voice joined with the gentle sound of the falling snow. He was used to no one taking notice, so he was surprised when he heard what sounded like an echo joining his song. He turned his head, cocking his ear to the sky. There it was. Who, or what, could it be?” In that passage alone, you get a feeling of suspense, a need for answers, that definitely makes you want to keep reading.
Kindall writes well, with descriptive sentences that paint a picture in your head, and with lines that make you feel like you are there, watching over the scene. For example: “A smell like no other escaped from the drawer – primitive, like a capsule of forgotten time, with a hint of the heavens mixed with dust.” I can feel my nose wrinkling just from reading that sentence. However, for all those ups, there are bound to be some downs. For example, this book has a great plot with a buildup to something big, but the climax feels like a bit of a letdown, as I was expecting to see more of the Ocular Sparrows. Also, the story raised a lot of questions, but it felt like many of them were not answered. For example, a question I’m sure I’m not the only one to ask is: “What’s Tim’s special connection with birds?” I think the story needs to be longer, because the ending seemed a bit like Thanos snapped his fingers and came up with a solution.
Other than that, I think “Sparrow” is a good book overall with descriptive sentences and a captivating plot. I would recommend this book to a bird-loving audience of 8-12 year olds.
One connection I can make is that Timothy loves sparrows, and I love falcons. Also, my Nana has many birds and I even got to hold a conure!
In conclusion, “Sparrow” is a good book with a suspenseful plot that ended before I wanted it to. If you’re looking for a good book about birds and mystery, this is on the top of my recommendation list.
If Kindall’s goal is to create a fun bird-lover’s book packed with questions and suspense, then I believe he accomplished exactly what he envisioned. For example: Along the way, Timothy comes across a shadowy girl, who disappears as soon as she’s spotted. An example: on page 12: “That’s the very place from where Timothy Sperling sang his song. His voice joined with the gentle sound of the falling snow. He was used to no one taking notice, so he was surprised when he heard what sounded like an echo joining his song. He turned his head, cocking his ear to the sky. There it was. Who, or what, could it be?” In that passage alone, you get a feeling of suspense, a need for answers, that definitely makes you want to keep reading.
Kindall writes well, with descriptive sentences that paint a picture in your head, and with lines that make you feel like you are there, watching over the scene. For example: “A smell like no other escaped from the drawer – primitive, like a capsule of forgotten time, with a hint of the heavens mixed with dust.” I can feel my nose wrinkling just from reading that sentence. However, for all those ups, there are bound to be some downs. For example, this book has a great plot with a buildup to something big, but the climax feels like a bit of a letdown, as I was expecting to see more of the Ocular Sparrows. Also, the story raised a lot of questions, but it felt like many of them were not answered. For example, a question I’m sure I’m not the only one to ask is: “What’s Tim’s special connection with birds?” I think the story needs to be longer, because the ending seemed a bit like Thanos snapped his fingers and came up with a solution.
Other than that, I think “Sparrow” is a good book overall with descriptive sentences and a captivating plot. I would recommend this book to a bird-loving audience of 8-12 year olds.
One connection I can make is that Timothy loves sparrows, and I love falcons. Also, my Nana has many birds and I even got to hold a conure!
In conclusion, “Sparrow” is a good book with a suspenseful plot that ended before I wanted it to. If you’re looking for a good book about birds and mystery, this is on the top of my recommendation list.
February 5, 2022
High above the town of Candela, a young boy named Timothy Sperling awaits the return of his mother who has been gone for the past seven years. When her voice awakens him from a deep slumber, he discovers a shooting star falling from the heavens and he prepares a wish, just as she has taught him to do. But instead of wishing for what he most desires, Timothy wishes instead for snow. The next day, he awakens to the unprecedented arrival of a snowstorm that is initially embraced by those in town; but after weeks of relentless accumulation, something must be done. It is up to Timothy to attempt to set the world to rights again before his beloved town is swallowed forever.
This beautifully written short story investigates the mysteries of the world through a unique and thoughtful lens. While Timothy comes from a family of ornithologists whose focus is on science, the Our Lady of Undying Hope church emerges at the center of the town’s activities. The word ‘marvelous’ is placed at choice moments throughout the story, connecting readers to the many things humans have yet to fully understand about life’s myriad complexities. Elegant descriptions place readers easily within Timothy's world, and they paint vivid mental pictures for the reader as the story progresses.
Though the primary action of the story takes place in Timothy’s present, the book shifts in time back to when his Uncle Morris was young and the family was beginning to find itself in the trouble Timothy has lived with for years. This design helps the important moments of the plot unfold in careful and intentional ways, keeping readers wondering exactly how and when the two angles will converge. While Timothy himself is not learning the truth of his family’s past, the reader collects details and information that make the rest of the plot become clear. Additionally, occasional segments speak directly from the omniscient narrator to the reader, which permit moments of reflection throughout the narrative.
This charming story will appeal to a wide range of ages, even though its intended audience is middle grade. Thoughtfully presented, each reader will find something compelling within the story itself, whether it is read aloud or silently to themselves. No matter how old one is, wishes do have the power of coming true under the right circumstances, and in this instance, one wish is all it takes to reunite a broken community. Filled with metaphor, this is a story that will have readers considering events in their own lives as a reflection of the events that take place in Timothy’s. Sparrow is a well-crafted, charming story for readers of all ages to enjoy.
I received a copy of this book from the author and I chose to leave this review.
This beautifully written short story investigates the mysteries of the world through a unique and thoughtful lens. While Timothy comes from a family of ornithologists whose focus is on science, the Our Lady of Undying Hope church emerges at the center of the town’s activities. The word ‘marvelous’ is placed at choice moments throughout the story, connecting readers to the many things humans have yet to fully understand about life’s myriad complexities. Elegant descriptions place readers easily within Timothy's world, and they paint vivid mental pictures for the reader as the story progresses.
Though the primary action of the story takes place in Timothy’s present, the book shifts in time back to when his Uncle Morris was young and the family was beginning to find itself in the trouble Timothy has lived with for years. This design helps the important moments of the plot unfold in careful and intentional ways, keeping readers wondering exactly how and when the two angles will converge. While Timothy himself is not learning the truth of his family’s past, the reader collects details and information that make the rest of the plot become clear. Additionally, occasional segments speak directly from the omniscient narrator to the reader, which permit moments of reflection throughout the narrative.
This charming story will appeal to a wide range of ages, even though its intended audience is middle grade. Thoughtfully presented, each reader will find something compelling within the story itself, whether it is read aloud or silently to themselves. No matter how old one is, wishes do have the power of coming true under the right circumstances, and in this instance, one wish is all it takes to reunite a broken community. Filled with metaphor, this is a story that will have readers considering events in their own lives as a reflection of the events that take place in Timothy’s. Sparrow is a well-crafted, charming story for readers of all ages to enjoy.
I received a copy of this book from the author and I chose to leave this review.
January 26, 2022
Sparrow by Brian Kindall is a wondrous middle-grade novel of literary fiction with magical realism. The book description from the publisher describes it best: “Timothy Sperling misses his mom and dad terribly. Left behind with his morose uncle while they're off on an expedition to avert an environmental crisis, the bird-boned boy would give anything to see them again. But when he spies a shooting star, instead of wishing to be reunited with his parents, he falters and asks for snow... only to conjure up a blizzard that won't quit! As a town that never sees winter is buried in mountains of white, Timothy teams up with a wise explorer to figure out how to stop the relentless frozen flakes. And with all the blame being shoveled on his family, the clever kid's connection to sparrows may be his one chance to pull the city out of its deep freeze. Can Timothy undo his fateful wish and bring back the sunshine?”
Timothy Sperling is a wide-eyed and frail boy, so slight that he’s like a bird. Appropriately nicknamed Sparrow, he gazes out of his bedroom window, dreaming of somehow reconnecting with his parents. His errant wish upon a falling star unleashes a blizzard on the town of Candela, the likes of which has never been seen before. Not even his miserly Uncle Morris the Morose believes it’s snowing, even though the flakes are falling in plain sight. Can Sparrow undo what he has wished for and save his town?
Brian Kindall tells this wonderful tale with beautiful prose, allowing Timothy’s wide-eyed observations and exclamations of awe to fill the reader with astonishment. There is a nod toward classic literature in the narration and setting, along with a modern concern for the environment and the creatures that inhabit it. Sparrow occupies a space somewhere between Charles Dickens and Roald Dahl, and I can’t think of a more beautiful tale for middle-graders to immerse themselves in. On top of this, the cover is a work of art, a befitting case for a wonderful story.
I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it for middle-grade readers of all ages. I would give this book 5 stars.
Timothy Sperling is a wide-eyed and frail boy, so slight that he’s like a bird. Appropriately nicknamed Sparrow, he gazes out of his bedroom window, dreaming of somehow reconnecting with his parents. His errant wish upon a falling star unleashes a blizzard on the town of Candela, the likes of which has never been seen before. Not even his miserly Uncle Morris the Morose believes it’s snowing, even though the flakes are falling in plain sight. Can Sparrow undo what he has wished for and save his town?
Brian Kindall tells this wonderful tale with beautiful prose, allowing Timothy’s wide-eyed observations and exclamations of awe to fill the reader with astonishment. There is a nod toward classic literature in the narration and setting, along with a modern concern for the environment and the creatures that inhabit it. Sparrow occupies a space somewhere between Charles Dickens and Roald Dahl, and I can’t think of a more beautiful tale for middle-graders to immerse themselves in. On top of this, the cover is a work of art, a befitting case for a wonderful story.
I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it for middle-grade readers of all ages. I would give this book 5 stars.
February 12, 2022
What I enjoyed about Sparrow
Characters
The characters in this story were part of the reason I wanted to finish the story. I enjoyed the family relationships and how the characters interacted with each other. There were also supporting characters with interesting interactions that I wanted to read more about. Each character had a story, and this story was revealed as the novel progressed, which I loved, because, by the end of the novel, they answered all the questions I had.
Writing
The writing in this story was also well done. This is a story that was a mixture of fantasy and a family saga, so Kindall needed to divide the writing between both of these elements in the story. Sparrow was filled with light-hearted scenes, in which the writing was lighter in tone and a break from the heavy elements in the story. Heavy scenes make the reader feel for the characters and become curious about where the story is going to go. The writing was also one of my favorite elements in the story.
Enjoyment and recommend for
Despite not being a real hit for me, I still enjoyed reading this book. I enjoyed the characters, writing, plot elements that worked for me, and the family elements of the story. I recommend this for fans of Middle-Grade, especially Middle-Grade Fantasy.
What didn’t work for me?
Plot
Honestly, I didn’t think this book would be just an average book based on the way the story started. I was enjoying the story and became curious as to where the story was going to go. As the story moved, I was not as interested in the story as much, but I didn’t know if the book would get better. I believe those who don’t mind the combination of Fantasy and a Contemporary story will enjoy this more than I did.
Pacing
Some of the pacing in this story was just so slow. I was expecting some slow scenes because we needed to find out about the family, and some of the other elements in the story, but I had problems with how slow the story was in places.
Characters
The characters in this story were part of the reason I wanted to finish the story. I enjoyed the family relationships and how the characters interacted with each other. There were also supporting characters with interesting interactions that I wanted to read more about. Each character had a story, and this story was revealed as the novel progressed, which I loved, because, by the end of the novel, they answered all the questions I had.
Writing
The writing in this story was also well done. This is a story that was a mixture of fantasy and a family saga, so Kindall needed to divide the writing between both of these elements in the story. Sparrow was filled with light-hearted scenes, in which the writing was lighter in tone and a break from the heavy elements in the story. Heavy scenes make the reader feel for the characters and become curious about where the story is going to go. The writing was also one of my favorite elements in the story.
Enjoyment and recommend for
Despite not being a real hit for me, I still enjoyed reading this book. I enjoyed the characters, writing, plot elements that worked for me, and the family elements of the story. I recommend this for fans of Middle-Grade, especially Middle-Grade Fantasy.
What didn’t work for me?
Plot
Honestly, I didn’t think this book would be just an average book based on the way the story started. I was enjoying the story and became curious as to where the story was going to go. As the story moved, I was not as interested in the story as much, but I didn’t know if the book would get better. I believe those who don’t mind the combination of Fantasy and a Contemporary story will enjoy this more than I did.
Pacing
Some of the pacing in this story was just so slow. I was expecting some slow scenes because we needed to find out about the family, and some of the other elements in the story, but I had problems with how slow the story was in places.
February 15, 2022
I received this is a Netgalley ebook arc from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I really don't like giving low star ratings, but this just did not hit the marks for me. The first chapter was good and I had high hopes for it to continue drawing me in. I completely lost interest halfway through.
Sparrow is a boy who is living with his anti-social uncle. One night, he makes a wish for snow. His wish comes true, but the snow doesn't stop. I originally thought this would be more magical than it was. There's less than a handful of tiny magical moments in the first half of the book.
Sparrow (or Tim) is very quiet and reserved, but he has very little inner dialog on top of that. He felt like a very distant character that the reader is observing from afar. I wish he'd have more of a voice.
The atmosphere was a little confusing for me, too. I originally imagined an almost historical town, but then certain wording would come up that just wouldn't fit with that. By the time I stopped reading, I just decided is was some combination like the towns in Howl's Moving Castle, which might have been what the author intended, but it just wasn't clear to me.
The whole plot point of the snow begins to feel like some back burning plot point while all these other things are coming into play: some family secret, where his mother is, and...
Why does he live in an attic? There's really no explanation for that. It explains that his uncle hit it big financially and the house is large, but it's just him and his uncle and Sparrow sleeps in the attic with no real heat? Why is singing such a thing for him? Why is his uncle so...distant and unfeeling? Why doesn't he believe Sparrow when he told him it was snowing? Were there no windows? Add on the lack of feeling his loneliness despite being told numerous times that he's feeling that way and I became a very detached reader.
For me, it just seemed like a bunch of pieces of a puzzle and they weren't fitting together at all. It didn't mesh.
I really don't like giving low star ratings, but this just did not hit the marks for me. The first chapter was good and I had high hopes for it to continue drawing me in. I completely lost interest halfway through.
Sparrow is a boy who is living with his anti-social uncle. One night, he makes a wish for snow. His wish comes true, but the snow doesn't stop. I originally thought this would be more magical than it was. There's less than a handful of tiny magical moments in the first half of the book.
Sparrow (or Tim) is very quiet and reserved, but he has very little inner dialog on top of that. He felt like a very distant character that the reader is observing from afar. I wish he'd have more of a voice.
The atmosphere was a little confusing for me, too. I originally imagined an almost historical town, but then certain wording would come up that just wouldn't fit with that. By the time I stopped reading, I just decided is was some combination like the towns in Howl's Moving Castle, which might have been what the author intended, but it just wasn't clear to me.
The whole plot point of the snow begins to feel like some back burning plot point while all these other things are coming into play: some family secret, where his mother is, and...
Why does he live in an attic? There's really no explanation for that. It explains that his uncle hit it big financially and the house is large, but it's just him and his uncle and Sparrow sleeps in the attic with no real heat? Why is singing such a thing for him? Why is his uncle so...distant and unfeeling? Why doesn't he believe Sparrow when he told him it was snowing? Were there no windows? Add on the lack of feeling his loneliness despite being told numerous times that he's feeling that way and I became a very detached reader.
For me, it just seemed like a bunch of pieces of a puzzle and they weren't fitting together at all. It didn't mesh.
July 23, 2023
[The Great Sparrow, holmen-birding-safari.com.]
“Cheerup!” replied the bird.
Brian Kindall`s Sparrow is so nicely written. The characters are interesting and the story is as the Sparrow says Momentous.
The story of Timothy ‘Sparrow’ Sperling, who is in the little city of Candela and is left behind to stay with his uncle, Morris ‘the Morose’ Wellbeck. Timothy`s parents go away to find a solution to prevent an environmental disaster. One day, Timothy makes a well-intentioned wish for snow on a shooting star, but this ends up being a never-ending blizzard [“As you well know, we have been besieged by a meteorological mishap, a climatological calamity, a barometric boondoggle of the most exaggerated enormity.”] It is now up to him to ‘reverse’ the wish, and this has to be done of course with the help of his feathered friends and a wise friend of his uncle.
“sometimes, maybe, possibly, every so often, even beautiful things have a dark side.”
Sure, this story is about an adventure, a boy`s love for his mother, acts of kindness, beautiful settings, frozen flakes ❄❄❄, mountains of white snow. But more than anything else, Sparrow highlights and is about human being`s crimes against nature/climate/environment, realising their mistakes when it is almost too late and then trying to be a ‘hero’ to right the committed wrong [“We need to do something to right the wrong. We need to do our part to help cure Nature of her hiccups”].
[dreamstime.com.]
[“They say our entire life flashes before our eyes when we’re about to die. How they know this is true is a mystery.”].
February 9, 2022
Tim 'Sparrow' Sperling's has been away on some kind of voyage for several years, and he misses her terribly. When he sees a shooting star, he knows what he wants to wish for, but the skeptical child ends up wishing for snow. And his wish comes true. His home of Candela hasn't had snow in a very long time, and while initially the residents of the town view it as a sign of momentous things to come, the excitement ends when it doesn't stop snowing. So much snow that folks have to dig tunnels to get around. And now it is up to Timothy to try to save the town.
With the help of his Sparrow friends, Tim sets out to save Candela and stop the snow.
This is a middle grade that is somewhat dark, with heavy moments, and beautifully written. It's not a light read, but was enjoyable all the same. There are quite a few sad and poignant moments, and a little bit of grit.
I loved Tim, he's teetering on believing in magic and trying to be grown up, sensible, and reasonable. Reminds me of my own 8 year old who is kind of the same right now. Clinging onto belief and magic, while slowly understanding that life is a bit different.
With the help of his Sparrow friends, Tim sets out to save Candela and stop the snow.
This is a middle grade that is somewhat dark, with heavy moments, and beautifully written. It's not a light read, but was enjoyable all the same. There are quite a few sad and poignant moments, and a little bit of grit.
I loved Tim, he's teetering on believing in magic and trying to be grown up, sensible, and reasonable. Reminds me of my own 8 year old who is kind of the same right now. Clinging onto belief and magic, while slowly understanding that life is a bit different.
January 31, 2022
Timothy Sperling is being raised by his crabby uncle. When he wishes for snow, he never expects it to happen… and certainly not at blizzard levels! As his town faces the crisis (after never having seen a flake of snow before), Timothy must team up with an explorer to dig out from under the mess.
Overall, I found the story to be very cute. It is written perfectly for its middle-grade audience. These readers will be able to identify with the main character, Timothy, and relate to his struggles and triumphs. The adventure will keep young readers intrigued, but beyond this, the lessons in the book will also help them face their own struggles.
I found the book to be a charming story and would highly recommend it for middle-grade readers.
Overall, I found the story to be very cute. It is written perfectly for its middle-grade audience. These readers will be able to identify with the main character, Timothy, and relate to his struggles and triumphs. The adventure will keep young readers intrigued, but beyond this, the lessons in the book will also help them face their own struggles.
I found the book to be a charming story and would highly recommend it for middle-grade readers.
June 28, 2022
It is not a stretch to call Sparrow a magical book.
The author has conjured a place where wishes are spectacularly granted and birds communicate with boys, where a mysterious young girl flits and flirts and flies away and snow falls and falls where it has never fallen before.
Yet this middle-grade fantasy novel is not pure whimsy. Its characters get lonely. Some crave to be loved. Anger flashes. Disappointment wells up. Friendships come… and go.
In Sparrow, Brian Kindall created a multi-dimensional story. It is a healthy mix of escapist reading and more contemplative material. Young readers can move easily between the two mindsets without losing their way. That’s a little bit of magic right there.
The author has conjured a place where wishes are spectacularly granted and birds communicate with boys, where a mysterious young girl flits and flirts and flies away and snow falls and falls where it has never fallen before.
Yet this middle-grade fantasy novel is not pure whimsy. Its characters get lonely. Some crave to be loved. Anger flashes. Disappointment wells up. Friendships come… and go.
In Sparrow, Brian Kindall created a multi-dimensional story. It is a healthy mix of escapist reading and more contemplative material. Young readers can move easily between the two mindsets without losing their way. That’s a little bit of magic right there.
September 26, 2023
This somewhat dark middle-grade fiction with imagery that is absolutely astounding, characters that develop WELL & themes that are intriguing along the way, this book will absolutely entice you to keep reading until the very ending.
I love how quick the read is, along with the themes that one starts to understand at a young/middle-grade age.
The timeline is very back & forth & the ending is so abrupt that it worst me waiting way more! However, for an indie work, I did thoroughly enjoy it.
I love how quick the read is, along with the themes that one starts to understand at a young/middle-grade age.
The timeline is very back & forth & the ending is so abrupt that it worst me waiting way more! However, for an indie work, I did thoroughly enjoy it.
September 28, 2023
This somewhat dark middle-grade fiction with imagery that is absolutely astounding, characters that develop WELL and themes that are intriguing along the way, is a book that will absolutely entice you to keep reading until the very ending.
I love how quick the read is, along with the themes that one starts to understand at a young/middle-grade age.
The timeline is very back and forth, and the ending is so abrupt that it left me wanting way more!
However, for an indie work, I did thoroughly enjoy it.
“Legends have to get their start somewhere.”
I love how quick the read is, along with the themes that one starts to understand at a young/middle-grade age.
The timeline is very back and forth, and the ending is so abrupt that it left me wanting way more!
However, for an indie work, I did thoroughly enjoy it.
“Legends have to get their start somewhere.”
March 9, 2022
loved this story. Tim is such a wonderful little boy. He made a simple wish and it changed the course of his whole community. You felt all his emotions and wanted him to succeed. I will be reading more books by Brian Kindall. The writing is beautiful.
January 21, 2023
A truly beautiful read with whimsical prose and a strong message. Something I believe everyone should read!! However, I believe the story kinda felt repeatative at times and seemed to get dragged on a lot. I don't think it would've hurt the story if the book had say 50 pages less :)
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