Key Selling Points

• Birdspell tackles the subjects of mental health (of a parent) and living in poverty.
• Corbin learns the value of friends and neighbors in helping with major life issues.
• This book teaches the importance of understanding people rather than passing quick judgment.
• The author has written over 20 books for young readers.

Corbin’s bipolar mother is often unemployed, and their apartment has no furniture, and sometimes no food. When his classmate offers Corbin the bird she can no longer keep, he’s all-in.

When things begin to spiral out of control and Corbin can no longer get his mom – or himself – through the darkness, he discovers his neighbors aren’t the unfriendly bunch he thought they were. Maybe this bird has a bit of magic in him.

Birdspell features celebrated author Valerie Sherrard’s trademark blend of humor and warmth. It’s a book about mental illness and poverty, but also hope, and the reminder that friends can be found anywhere.

A parakeet might be just the thing Corbin needs to bring happiness into his world. His bipolar mother is often unemployed, and their apartment has no furniture, and sometimes no food. And it’s not like the neighbours lighten things up: a grouchy old man, a snarky teenager whose mother is never around … A talking bird would be a huge step up.

So, when his classmate offers Corbin the bird she can no longer keep, he’s all-in.

When his mother has an overdose and Corbin can no longer get her – or himself – through the dark period, he discovers his neighbours aren’t the unfriendly bunch he thought they were. Maybe this bird has a bit of magic in him.

Birdspell, the latest novel by celebrated author Valerie Sherrard, features her trademark blend of humour and warmth. Mental illness and poverty are at the centre of the novel, but so are hope, and the reminder that friends can be found anywhere.