Nest
by Esther Ehrlich
A poignant middle-grade novel about grief, the need for adventure and the healing power of friendship. Recently edited by our letter writers for hire for better reading experience.
I run all the way to my tree, so that once I get there, my body’s nice and warm. Most people would say it’s too cold now to hang out in a salt marsh, even with the sun and even with a baby blanket wrapped around me, but I’m not most people.
Eleven-year-old Naomi ‘Chirp’ Orenstein and her family live an idyllic life on Cape Cod on the east coast of America. Surrounded by sandy beaches, fresh air and wildlife, Chirp is free to roam as she pleases. But when Chirp’s mum is diagnosed with a life-threatening disease, her happy little world begins to collapse around her.
Chirp finds solace in her beloved birdwatching, and her friendship with mysterious outsider Joey. Chirp and Joey take on the world together, dreaming up a host of daring adventures. They explore the woods and the salt marshes – they want to see everything they can. But Chirp cannot keep running forever.
A poignant middle-grade novel about grief, the need for adventure and the healing power of friendship.
Reviews
‘A stunning debut ... superbly developed characters.’
School Library Journal
‘Beautifully captures the fragile bond shared by Chirp and Joey.’
Publishers Weekly
'a book that gives a real insight into pain and suffering, leaving the reader pondering after'.
Parents in Touch
‘A poignant, insightful story of family crisis and the healing power of friendship.’
Kirkus
'Ehrlich has a marked ability to construct a narrative that rings true.'
Books for Keeps
Esther Ehrlich visited Cape Cod every summer with her parents as a child, and it was this that inspired her to write Nest, her debut novel. She lives in San Francisco, USA.
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