Call of the Song Sparrow is a novel both genuine and captivating in its storytelling as its delicate portrayal of the familial ties that bind parents, children and siblings is cast against the backdrop of a scandalous family secret. The story centers around Ida Mabry and her thirty-nine-year-old illegitimate daughter, Tia, whom she abandoned at birth on the doorstep of her paternal grandparents' home in Oakland, California. Ida, who is white had Tia at 17; Tia, who is bi-racial and half black, was born in 1975 at a time when U.S. race relations were still rather tumultuous. The story begins in 2014 with Tia and Ida meeting for the first time in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ida has never divulged anything to her husband and two grown sons about Tia or her past and does not plan to do so even after establishing a relationship with her daughter, but when a series of unlikely events threaten to unsettle Ida's long-held secret, she is forced to lay everything on the line.

"In this elegant narrative, celebrated naturalist Ted Floyd guides you through a year of becoming a better birder. Choosing 200 top avian species to teach key lessons, Floyd introduces a new, holistic approach to bird watching and shows how to use the tools of the 21st century to appreciate the natural world we inhabit together whether city, country or suburbs." -- From book jacket.

Call of the Song Sparrow is a novel both genuine and captivating in its storytelling as its delicate portrayal of the familial ties that bind parents, children and siblings is cast against the backdrop of a scandalous family secret. The story centers around Ida Mabry and her thirty-nine-year-old illegitimate daughter, Tia, whom she abandoned at birth on the doorstep of her paternal grandparents' home in Oakland, California. Ida, who is white had Tia at 17; Tia, who is bi-racial and half black, was born in 1975 at a time when U.S. race relations were still rather tumultuous. The story begins in 2014 with Tia and Ida meeting for the first time in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ida has never divulged anything to her husband and two grown sons about Tia or her past and does not plan to do so even after establishing a relationship with her daughter, but when a series of unlikely events threaten to unsettle Idas long-held secret, she is forced to lay everything on the line.

She is Elaine of Ascolat, the Lady of Shalott. At sixteen, Elaine is beautiful and brave, with a temperament as fiery as her long red hair. She lives on Arthur's army base with her father and brothers, the sole girl in a militaristic world of men. As she mends torn battle garments and heals wounds, Elaine often slips into daydreams, wishing the handsome Lancelot would see her as more than a tomboy. Then a new girl arrives, and Elaine is thrilled-- until Gwynivere proves to be cold and cruel. But when the two of them are thrown into a situation of gravest danger, they must band together in order to survive. Can Elaine find the strength to fight for the kingdom she has always believed in? This highly acclaimed novel is a beautiful contribution to the Camelot canon.

The bestselling natural history of birds, lavishly illustrated with 600 colorphotos, is now available for the first time in flexi binding.

Presents the songs and calls of fifty North American birds that are common to residential settings, city parks, and urban areas.

Call of the Song Sparrow grew from an awareness of family and from my desire to understand the intricacies of familial ties. I have held a long-standing interest in exploring the inter-relational dynamics within the family unit, particularly between parents, children and siblings. The main impetus behind creating the storyline that carries this novella has stemmed from my realization that part of what people need in life is the ability to process their own individual journeys, to tell their stories and to have their stories heard. As this family drama unfolds, I emphasize the importance of honesty and forgiveness amongst family members while also focusing on the power of reconciliation, unconditional love and the need for courage even in the midst of debilitating fears.