Bird by Crystal Chan, a child's view on discrimination and loss of love one

**Sometimes, it's enlightening to listen to the musings of a child.** Their small minds can hold more thoughts and their small hearts can feel more emotions than we'll ever know. Their view of the world is unique and very different from ours. This divergence may result to lack of understanding between children and adults. I realized this when I read the novel Bird by Crystal Chan.

Bird is about a young girl, Jewel, who was born the day her younger brother died in a tragic accident. The story revolves on Jewel's struggle to overcome the grief of her family upon losing his brother (whom they nicknamed Bird )and the changes his death has brought on each of her family members.

It also portrays racism as Jewel, is a biracial: Jamaican on her father's side, Mexican American on her mother's side, who lives in a white community. There are has hints of mystical and cultural elements involving both races, I found both rich and interesting at the same time. However, Jewel laments on how different she is treated as a brown girl in a white town.

One day, she'll meet John and together their adventures will unfold secrets that her family is keeping.

Honestly, Jewel's point of view is so innocent, so pure, it is remarkably beautiful. However it is also bitter and melancholy. The world affects a child so grave and it is disheartening to see a young mind being weighed down by the expectation and the distress of the world. I have been reading lots of books where the protagonists are hardened strong individual and it is refreshing to unfold a mind so demure and wholesome. When she thought of what she wants to be in the future and how she ponders how life work, I remembered my long-lost youth and passion.

I don't know if any of you have read Bird but I highly recommend it. It was Crystal Chan's debut novel and it is amazing. Crystal mastered the characters, how a child's mind work, how perfectly flawed each of them are. It's as if they are real. Also the writing is absolutely spectacular, there are stunning lines that would definitely awe you.

I know this review isn't too informative but I hoped I teased you enough to read it. You definitely won't regret. Until the next pose, stay safe and healthy!

-Alissu