Each Little Bird That Sings 
asked by john316 on November 21, 2006 5:46 AM
Death is a way of life for the Snowberger family, since they run a funeral parlor out of their Mississippi home with the motto "We live to serve." Still, when 94-year-old Great-great-aunt Florentine Snowberger dies in the vegetable garden, no one can truly be prepared, even though she'd been bidding "good night and good-bye" to the family every night since she turned 90. Florentine's death is hard on 10-year-old Comfort, since the two were so close, even co-writing the Fantastic (and Fun) Funeral Food for Family and Friends. It's no surprise, then, when the annoyingly overwrought emotional displays of her young cousin Peach Shuggars and the sudden iciness of her alleged best friend Declaration Johnson send Comfort over the edge. Thank goodness for her shaggy "feel-good" dog Dismay who can eradicate all bad feelings with a single slobbery lick.
When a dangerous flash flood comes to Snapfinger on the day of Florentine's funeral, Comfort learns again that life is full of surprises, good and bad, and that, ultimately, it's just good to be alive. This warm, witty novel, told in Comfort's voice (and a mix of letters, recipes, articles, and helpful hints), celebrates the joys of family, of prune bread, of freshly sharpened pencils, and of "each little bird that sings." The fairly constant philosophizing about life and death, the unusual character names (Tidings, Comfort, Joy), and the narrator's oft-precocious voice may fray a nerve or two, but readers will find more than enough humor and good old-fashioned storytelling here to make up for it. (Ages 8 to 12) --Karin Snelson
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Comfort Snowberger knows far more about death than the average 10 year old. Her family owns and operates the lone funeral home in rural Snapfinger, Mississippi and she has attended nearly 250 funerals.
The funeral home's motto is "We live to serve," and it is a dictum that the Snowberger clan take to heart. As her father prepares the departed for burial, Comfort's mother handles floral arrangements and her elder brother tends the lawns. Even the family dog, Dismay, does his part by staying with the deceased in the preparation room and by standing stoically for visitations.
The author writes in her introduction about the inspiration for the book. In the four years that followed the publication of her last book she lost several family members. It was a situation that left her "suffocating in grief," but through it all she learned "the meaning of friendship and the power of love."
Wiles has written a tender, yet often funny book that deals with several coming-of-age issues. Death is an obvious theme, but the story also addresses the struggle of dealing with agitated family members in times of stress, as well as the strain on friendships as young people mature.
Highly recommended for ages 8 to 12, this book will appeal to young people with its strong story line and folksy, small-town humor. Adults will want their children to read a well-written book that confronts some of the struggles their children will face as they approach their teenage years.
The funeral home's motto is "We live to serve," and it is a dictum that the Snowberger clan take to heart. As her father prepares the departed for burial, Comfort's mother handles floral arrangements and her elder brother tends the lawns. Even the family dog, Dismay, does his part by staying with the deceased in the preparation room and by standing stoically for visitations.
The author writes in her introduction about the inspiration for the book. In the four years that followed the publication of her last book she lost several family members. It was a situation that left her "suffocating in grief," but through it all she learned "the meaning of friendship and the power of love."
Wiles has written a tender, yet often funny book that deals with several coming-of-age issues. Death is an obvious theme, but the story also addresses the struggle of dealing with agitated family members in times of stress, as well as the strain on friendships as young people mature.
Highly recommended for ages 8 to 12, this book will appeal to young people with its strong story line and folksy, small-town humor. Adults will want their children to read a well-written book that confronts some of the struggles their children will face as they approach their teenage years.
reviewed by bethness on November 29, 2006 9:16 AM
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Each Little Bird That Sings is written by Deborah Wiles and is a fictional book. It takes place at Snowbergers, the family owned funeral home. Comfort lives at Snowbergers and is dreading the upcoming funeral where her whiny cousin Peach will be. That's not the only thing that Comfort is having a hard time with. Her best friend, Declaration, is acting different then normal. The only thing she can rely on is her beloved dog, Dismay.
I thought the part of the book where Declaration tells Comfort that it is not ladylike to climb Listening rock, their favorite place, it was unexpected and showed how quickly she had grown up after being with her grandma. Another part I liked was when Comforts aunt died and how the author described the scene it was kind of funny.
I liked this book and would definitely recommend it for others. The ending could've been improved. But I would surely put it on my bookshelf of favorite books. I thought that the author was very descriptive and did a really good job of writing this story.
I thought the part of the book where Declaration tells Comfort that it is not ladylike to climb Listening rock, their favorite place, it was unexpected and showed how quickly she had grown up after being with her grandma. Another part I liked was when Comforts aunt died and how the author described the scene it was kind of funny.
I liked this book and would definitely recommend it for others. The ending could've been improved. But I would surely put it on my bookshelf of favorite books. I thought that the author was very descriptive and did a really good job of writing this story.
reviewed by sumbuddy on November 29, 2006 11:06 AM