The Nature of Small Birds

Author: Susie Finkbeiner

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: July 6, 2021

Finkbeiner’s story telling shines in this tale of love, family, and discovery!

Bruce and Linda have been trying for years to have a second child with no luck.  They decide that the best option would be to adopt a little baby boy who needs a family, but when the call from the adoption agency comes in, it is not what anyone expected.  A little girl named Minh was a child airlifted during the fall of Saigon and the family who initially took her in has returned her to the agency.  Bruce and Linda have no qualms taking this child into their family but know that other family members won’t feel the same since Bruce’s brother died during the war and his sister’s husband returned home with war torn memories.

As the years pass, the family becomes more accepting, but little do they know all the challenges that Minh, now called Mindy, has faced in her upbringing in a small Michigan town during the 1980s and 1990s.  She recently discovered that an organization is working to restore the children lifted out of Saigon with their families.  With her family’s support, Mindy decides to reach out and discover more about her past to learn who she really is.

Wow!  Can Susie Finkbeiner write a story that makes you feel like you are part of the family and come away as friends.  Her ability to draw readers into the characters is such a gift.  Picking the book up for the first time makes it feel like you are about to read a classic story that you love, even though you’ve never read it!

The story is told from three perspectives at three different times.  The first is from Linda’s (mom) point of view in 1975 when they initially adopt Mindy and the challenges that they face during that time.  Fast forward to 1988 with Sonny’s (older sister) POV when she and Mindy and in high school and roommates.  Lastly is Bruce’s (dad) POV in 2013 when Mindy has discovered the possibility of reconnecting with her family.  It was fun to see the minor characters develop in one story and then mature in another. 

The theme is about family and supporting each other through difficulties.  I want to dive into this so much more, but its really better if you read it for yourself.  Easily one of the top books of 2021! I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher.  The views and opinions expressed within are my own.