About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the 'big questions' of faith, fairness, or the anxiety of a parent's long-term absence. Birdie's Bargain is a deeply honest look at a ten-year-old girl whose father is deployed to Iraq for the third time. To cope with her fear, Birdie tries to strike a deal with God: if she is perfectly good, her father will come home safe. When things do not go according to her plan, she must navigate feelings of betrayal, guilt, and the realization that the world is more complex than a simple bargain. It is a poignant choice for military families or any child experiencing a season of waiting and worry. Paterson handles Birdie's spiritual struggle with a gentle, realistic touch that validates a child's inner life without providing easy, superficial answers. It is best suited for ages 8 to 12 as they begin to develop more nuanced perspectives on life and faith.
