Tenderly Written Adoption Story

 

The Nature of Small Birds by Susie Finkbeiner

Mindy Matthews was a child from Operation Babylift during the Vietnam War.  Her growing up years are chronicled in this story of an American family who decided to adopt her. 

This story was written tenderly and transparently.  As a reader, I got the sense of what she and her family experienced.  The author did a skillful job of conveying the emotions experienced by Mindy’s mother, father, sisters and extended family.  Because Mindy’s uncle had died in Vietnam, there was some understandable tension between her grandmother and the family who adopted Mindy.  Even this tension was lovingly and honestly addressed in the story.

I really enjoyed this book, but found the change in point of view and the vacillating time of each chapter a bit confusing at times.  I was also flabbergasted when the book ended, leaving the story hanging.  I really wanted to know what happened next.  Perhaps another book will complete the story.

Susie FInkbeiner is a gifted author and this book is well worth the read, especially because it highlights an experience that not too many readers may have had.  I am grateful to the publisher for a copy of this book in return for this, my honest review.