For the Forest of a Bird

A novel about love and the things you can and can't change, from the winner of the Victorian Premier's Literary Award for young adult fiction, Sue Saliba. 'I want to tell you that he's coming home. . . and it's going to be like it was before he went away, before everything broke apart.' Nella waits for the swallows by the creek each spring. It's a secret vigil she's followed ever since her father left. This year she's going to take him with her . . . but can we ever return to the way things were? A novel about love and the things you can and can't change, from the winner of the Victorian's Premier's Literary Award for young adult fiction. Praise for Sue Saliba's novels: For the forest of a bird 'Highly recommended . . . In this delicate, finely balanced tale, Sue Saliba explores grief, loss and the inevitability of change.' Good Reading Magazine  http://www.goodreadingmagazine.com.au/book_details.cfm?book=17191&page=15   'Quietly unfolding through sparse, beautifully written sentences, is a friendship between two like-minded girls who dive deep into the natural world. Birds and forests, loss and love. It's one of those novels where 'not much happens' and yet so much does. The title - For The Forest of A Bird - is taken from Judith Wright's poem 'The Birds' and it was the carefully chosen name that drew me to this book. Looking at the jacket once finished, I couldn't help but feel this is a novel that is as precious and rare as the birds and native forests Nella and her new friend Isobel explore. Highly recommended for keen, sensitive readers of 12 and up.' Books in Print http://booksinprint.blogspot.com.au/2015/02/bip-enews-books-for-young-readers.html   'Saliba's latest book is a beautiful poetic dream of consciousness story of a young girl's love, sadness, resilience and acceptance of the things she cannot change. It is a story about growing up. This is a novel that quietly sings. Highly recommended 13+.' Reading Time: Children's book news and reviews from the Children's Book Council of Australia http://readingtime.com.au/for-the-forest-of-a-bird/   'Everybody should discover Sue Saliba. Her novels are such special things – they make you think differently and laterally about language and form, her young characters deal with such heavy emotions but are lightened by their connection to nature and family. For the Forest of a Bird is another beautiful outing by this superb Australian author – I loved it, and ate up the words in one afternoon. 5/5' http://alphareader.blogspot.com.au/2015/02/for-forest-of-bird-by-sue-saliba.html   Alaska Awards Shortlisted for the Prime Minister's Literary Award for Young Adult Fiction, 2012 Shortlisted for the APA Design Awards for Best Children's Cover, 2012 Children's Book Council of Australia Notable Book, 2012   Reviews 'Saliba has written an elegiac, wise and moving novel.' (Cameron Woodhead, The Saturday Age) Read full review here 'Alaska is a gorgeous, gorgeous book. it's breathless and aching and it completely captures that swirl of coming-of-age emotions. the fear and hope and vulnerability we all feel. the fleeting moments of deep happiness pitched against the uncertainties of the world and your place in it…this book is brave and true and full of heart and soul…i completely loved Alaska.' (Nomes, inkcrush) Read full review here. 'There are books imbued with a certain kind of magic. There are books we read and then, then, there are books that invite complete immersion. A gift from an Author to a reader, to give words that have texture and fluidity, richness and depth, a narrative that invites participation and hides the world around us behind a veil of enchantment… Alaska… is such a book.' (The Book Gryffin) Read full review here 'Evoked clearly and brilliantly even through third person is Mia's voice. Her tone is quietly intense, sometimes almost melancholy, and full of wonder… Everything about this book is completely gorgeous. The prose, the story, the message; even the...