STUNNING, EVOCATIVE . . . [A] well-crafted coming-of-age novel.

--School Library Journal

Fifteen-year-old Megumi was very sad when her parents broke up. But now, with her mother running off on a "trip" to her own childhood home, Megumi is left to stay with her father (who is never around) and her cranky grandmother (who is unfortunately always around).

Just when she feels that no one cares, Megumi meets Dr. Mizutani, a smart young woman who offers Megumi a part-time job in her veterinary office helping her heal sick birds. Dr. Mizutani seems to understand Megumi without asking a lot of questions. And as Megumi finally begins to accept why her mother had to leave, she discovers a confident strength within herself. . . .

"The text gains an intensity from the discipline with which every detail of this accomplished work is orchestrated from the first page to the last."

--Kirkus Reviews (starred review)