Sparrows in the Wind
A powerful retelling of the fall of Troy, Sparrows in the Wind brings readers into the world of Cassandra and her hope to save Troy and prevent its destruction. Written with the target demographic in mind (grades 4-6), Levine expertly omits much of the sordid details of the original myth but turns the story into a coming-of-age journey of love, gods, friendship, adventure, and danger. Blessed (and then cursed) by Apollo, Cassandra turns her attention (and affection) to Eurus, the god of the wind, who helps her at crucial junctures.
An exciting twist occurs when the narrative shifts from Cassandra’s vantage point to that of an Amazonian warrior. The Amazons answer the plea from Troy to come to their aid, and one of the young warriors, Rin, joins forces with Cassandra. Together they save Troy and forge a strong lasting friendship. Levine does a superb job of maintaining the god’s capriciousness and personality, while exploring what a relationship with a god would entail. Indeed, Cassandra eventually has to choose between a life in Troy with a family, or a life married to a god.
Levine is a reputable author, and her confident hand is evident in the pace of the plot and in the voices of the well-crafted characters. Especially notable is her description of the infamous Trojan horse and the twist at the end, allowing Cassandra and Rin to save Troy using their new friendship. An excellent introduction to Greek myth, history, and Amazons, Sparrows in the Wind is an engaging tale that is absolutely well worth the read with enough action to lure in most reluctant readers.
