Janice Pettit-brundage

Sweet Bird of Prey Janice Pettit-brundage

Sweet Bird of Prey is the sensitive and surprisingly humorous story of Shannon Bennet, a thirteen year old girl who narrates her junior and senior years of high school. Shannon has a confusing and complex relationship with her brother Phillip, who suffers from undiagnosed depression, and his subsequent suicide throws her into the midst of anger and guilt that suicide often brings on. . Shannon describes the aftermath of loss and how it affects her relationships, her thoughts on God, and her over-all social life. Although, it appears melancholy, the book is filled with hope. Sweet Bird of Prey is a story that highlights issues such as bullying, loss, boyfriend drama, the relationship between mother and daughter, gossipy girls, drinking, social dilemmas, depression, suicide, and high school cliques. It also leaves the reader with an understanding about death and loss at a young age. Sweet Bird of Prey opens a discussion about a serious epidemic that circulates in the halls of every high school through a dialogue that easily flows from a 13 year-old girl's perspective. Shannon Bennet finds hope, love, and an understanding that loss is inevitable. Through the process of death, Shannon finds peace. It is the authors hope to pass this message along to those who have suffered, as well as those who are suffering.