Sparrow Migrations (31 page)

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Sincere thanks to Chris Baty, founder of NaNoWriMo, which led to the first draft in November 2010. Also, author Audrey Niffenegger, whose answer to my question at the National Writers Series allowed me to develop Robby, my protagonist, in a new way.

My very first readers: Sonja Somerville—who went on to read multiple drafts—Mary Pollock, Kimberli Bindschatel, and Carolyn Lewis. More beta readers: Lois Orth, John Pahl, Christine Noga, Joyce Duell, Meg Young, Marsha Buhr, Nancy Gray, Anna Bachman, Maureen Botteron, and Amy Hartzog.

Carrie Bebris, Christine DeSmet, Jennifer Rice Epstein, and Arielle Eckstut.

My book club: Linda Butka, Diane Lundin, Janet Wolf, Flora Biancalana, Misty Sheehan, and Lynn McAndrews, whose comments led to one of the biggest, best changes in the plot.

My writing group members: Mardi Link, Anne-Marie Oomen, Teresa Scollon, and Heather Shumaker, who put up with reading bits and pieces out of sequence.

The birders: Daniel Kerby and Bill, the Grand Traverse Audubon Club, which hosted me at meetings and outings; and Alice Van Zoeren, piping plover expert at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

The Ithacans: Jocelyn Bowie, Lynette Hatch, David Stewart.

Anie Knipping, for sharing her talent on my original cover. And David Drummond, for this newly created one.

Editors Tiffany Yates Martin, Zane Schwaiger, and Heather Shaw for their keen attention to detail. Of course, Danielle Marshall and the Lake Union team.

To my family—my son, for serving as my inspiration. John Irving’s taken the title “A Prayer for Owen . . .” but that doesn’t make this any less of one. My mom for providing the extra childcare that allowed me to push through the key first draft. My daughter for providing respite. And my husband who hung in there with me on the roller coaster ride it’s been from page one through draft nine to self-publication and now re-release with a fantastic publisher. I’d have gone off the rails without you.

BOOK CLUB QUESTIONS
WARNING–SPOILERS
!

• Do you agree with Deborah’s decision not to have genetic testing before getting pregnant? Why or why not?
  
• Do you think Christopher’s reaction is justified? Why or why not?
  
• What do you think about the portrayal of the female characters vs. the male characters? Does one gender seem more sympathetic than the other?
  
• Despite significant strains, both of the heterosexual relationships in Sparrow Migrations are resolved, while the lesbian relationship is not. Why do you think that is the case? What do you think about that as a reader? Is it fair?
  
• Did the novel change any perceptions you held about autism? How so? Why do you think Robby is an only child?
  
• Does the likelihood/risk of special needs factor into whether you would have children, as it does for Christopher?
  
• What do you think about the depiction of Christianity in the novel? Which character better upheld Christian ideals, Richard or Brett? Why?
  
• What meaning do you derive from the title?
  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Photo © 2014 Sarah Brown Photography

A professional journalist for twenty years, author Cari Noga has published nonfiction (
Road Biking Michigan
: Globe-Pequot Press, 2005) and essays (
Chicken Soup for the Wine Lovers Soul
, 2007) and is the mother of a child with autism. She lives with her family in northern Michigan. You can read more about her work and sign up for her author newsletter at
www.carinoga.com
.

Sparrow Migrations
was a semifinalist in the 2011 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest (top 1 percent).

Plover Pilgrimage
, a companion short story excerpted from the novel, is available on
Amazon.com
and appropriate for middle-grade readers as well as adults.

Connect with Cari or sign up for her newsletter at
carinoga.com
.