MrsK Books: Nest by Esther Ehrlich

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Nest by Esther Ehrlich

ISBN: 9780385386074

Publisher's Synopsis:
For fans of Jennifer Holm (Penny from Heaven, Turtle in Paradise), a heartfelt and unforgettable middle-grade novel about an irresistible girl and her family, tragic change, and the healing power of love and friendship. In 1972 home is a cozy nest on Cape Cod for eleven-year-old Naomi “Chirp” Orenstein, her older sister, Rachel; her psychiatrist father; and her dancer mother. But then Chirp’s mom develops symptoms of a serious disease, and everything changes.

Chirp finds comfort in watching her beloved wild birds. She also finds a true friend in Joey, the mysterious boy who lives across the street. Together they create their own private world and come up with the perfect plan: Escape. Adventure. Discovery.

Nest is Esther Ehrlich’s stunning debut novel. Her lyrical writing is honest, humorous, and deeply affecting. Chirp and Joey will steal your heart. Long after you finish Nest, the spirit of Chirp and her loving family will stay with you.

MrsK's Review:

Once in awhile you open a book that feels so "good" that everything around you suddenly fades away. Just look at the cover, does it not invite you to come along on this girl's journey? Naomi "Chirp" is a delightful "free spirit" whose endearing qualities will remain etched within your heart. With the setting of Cape Cod in 1972 comes a fluttering of joy-filled memories for me. Between the historical details there is a "vividness" to the moments between Naomi, her sister Rachel, and her mother as they sing through songs on the radio or from their stereo. Songs bring any reader back into personal memories, thus creating a joyful connection between the characters and the reader. Perfectly chosen... perfectly placed... perfect unison with the threads of the story.

As Naomi's journey begins: I should have taken the shortcut home from my bird-watching spot at the salt marsh, because then I wouldn't have to walk past Joey Morell, whipping rocks against the telephone pole in front of his house as the sun goes down. You are given the "foreshadowing" that these two characters will be important to each other as the story progresses. Do you remember these end of summer activities, class mates who knew of each other but never made connections beyond the classroom. Some of my dearest friends were found in those end of summer days:

"So where were you?" Joey asks, like it's his right to know.

"Nowhere."

"How was nowhere?"

"Just like somewhere," I say.

He looks at me, real serious, and then he smiles and drops the rock.

Naomi shares her passion for bird watching whether it is looking out a window, strolling through pines and oaks, hiking back into her favorite spot in the marshes, or browsing through nature books. Her birds are her pass-time, her joy is found in the moments spent with her mother as they experienced life in nature. Can you remember that care-free spirit as a 6th grader? Do you remember the anxiety surrounding school, the teachers, the school work, and the fitting in? Can you imagine what it would be like if you had to watch your mom grow weaker day after day? It's not easy having your mother dancing with you one day and then having an ambulance taking her to the hospital the next day. Naomi's mother... a dancer, a nature enthusiast, an "imagination" guide, a "swan boat" adventurer, and the one who used playful nick names for her youngest daughter... Chirp, Snap Pea, Sweet Chicken, My Girl, and Chirpie. Each of these names represents a treasured moment, eternally "seared" deep within Naomi's heart.

Naomi's father values family bonding which means "talking" through daily chores, at the dinner table, while traveling, and when life gets rough. Naomi would rather go on expeditions, for her that means being in the nature around her or reading about it:

...schlepped the duffel bags with the fold-up kayak, my backpack with my binocs,

and a canvas bag that Mom packed with hard-boiled eggs, cheese, Wheat Thins,

and watermelon...

Her father has taught Naomi that it is important to "feel connected" with their past in order to "make sense" about their present. He must balance his daughter's needs, his patients, his feelings and fear, and phone calls to the hospital about his wife. Sometimes there just isn't a clear path to follow, but there is determination and hope:

"Even though this is a tough time, there's still a lot to be thankful for."

Naomi's sister Rachel, well she is a few years older, in High School, and knows to "run" to her friends when mom is at her worst. It's hard to be in communication with each other when your mother's MS diagnosis "suffocates" the joy from life. It is Rachel who will clean, cook, and try to provide the "same" household that each of the family is missing.

And then there's Joey. That "unexpected" summer friend. Nothing is safe around Joey's home, so when Naomi's mother gets worse... it's Joey's experiences which provides support for Naomi. Their friendship won't be about solving the chaos around them, but it will be about having that friend that will help you "adventure" beyond the pain.

Naomi's journey is about family, loving memories, friendship, and finding the strength to move beyond tragedy. With characters so richly described... beautifully described east coast settings marking the passage of time... and a sensitive/emotional story about how illness, depression, and suicide leaves a family grasping at hope and learning "how" to begin a new season in living. An excellent choice for reader circles, so many areas for reflective conversations.

Read for understanding,
MrsK

Amazing journey for raising today's readers!

Esther Ehrlich's debut novel, Nest, is forthcoming from Wendy Lamb Books/Random House in September 2014. Ehrlich was born and raised in Boston, graduated from Vassar College, and lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family. Learn about Chirp's Birds.

Read the opening of Nest.

"I received this ebook for free from Net Galley for this review."

Random House Publishers

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MrsK's Reading Bio

Reading is important! No questions asked, not even a blink of the eye from any student I grew up with. On the first day of the First grade, we were given our first books. Day two we all read aloud, round robin of course. Day three we were place in our first basal, now known as a lit circle group. Books were so important, publishers designed new curriculum so that every student was reading by the end of the first week. These early readers had images that looked like what we could see in the classroom, beyond the classroom, even on the big screen. Reading is important, throughout history every generation has believed that “Reading” opens up the world for endless possibilities.

I adore the 1950’s Dick and Jane books. Actually, most reading specialists and experienced (45+) educators believe that every student learned to read with Dick and Jane. Since these books are being re-issued, I have heard many parents, grandparents, and students claim that Dick and Jane stories of repetition does teach students to read.

Early influences from my mother influenced my desire to read. I would watch her read and we would go on “secret” excursions to the library. The library became my playground. I owned every book I could carry home, of course they needed to be taken back to their home after visiting with me for a week or two. My first book that I could pull off of the library shelf and read was, Father Bear Comes Home. I only saw my dad on Sundays for a few hours. I would pull this beginning reader off of the library shelf every week. Every week I would try to read the first chapter. Every week I got further in the story. My mom would let me check it out, only if I could read it myself (She didn’t like the illustrations therefore she didn’t want to take time to read it to me). One day, I pulled the book from the shelf and when mom came to get me from the children’s corner, I realized that I had read the whole story. I ran to the check out desk and the Librarian KERCHUNKED the checkout card. My mother, brother and neighbors read. My teachers read. We all read aloud all day long in school. The Priest read aloud every day at mass, even in Latin. Everybody in the Doctor’s office read. People on the bus read. Dad’s waiting in their cars as the Mom’s and children grocery shopped, read. In fact, once you could read and write, Sunset Magazine considered you a reader and sent you mail every day.

Reading is important; I’ve spent my life reading. I’ve traveled around the world and into space through books. My favorite genre is whichever book I have open at the time. Children’s Literature is my passion. Book clubbing is one of the best past times, especially if food is involved. In fact my friends of old are in a book club and we are about to embark on a beach trip to “read” and discuss our newest selection.

My “home-run” book story has helped every student find his or her own “home-run” reads. Every year, I have shared my, Father Bear Comes Home, and every year my students have brought in their “home-run” books. That’s the “diving board” into our Lit. Studies.

In “Growing Up Digital,” Tapscott’s insights into the new generations enthusiasm for the Net reminded me of my generation’s enthusiasm for reading, movies, TV, parties and our driving permits. The Net-Generation, as Tapscott describes, “are learning, playing, communicating, working, creating communities, and enforcing a social transformation.”
N-Geners are interactive “techies” who are always looking for a way to “work it” verses the TV Generation of “Baby Boomers” who started out looking for “how it works.” Reading development is tougher today, society moves too fast to invest their “non-working” free time into a book or even “home work.” Since I stepped into my own classroom, I have seen students being told to read, being forced to read, and threatened into reading. Homework is not any longer the vehicle for students to gain their future lifestyles or careers with. Yet, the Internet does create an enthusiasm for learning. Since I have been enrolled in these courses, I have used the computers in every subject. My students are using the newest technology in the classroom because I am giving them investigative sites to use as they learn from each other and books. I agree with Tapscott, in order to bridge the gap with this up and coming generation we must “live and learn with them.”

FTC Required Disclaimer: I receive these books from the publishers. I did not receive monetary compensation for these reviews. These reviews have been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)