THE LANGUAGE OF SEABIRDS by Will Taylor

 

I picked this up at the Scholastic Book Fair. Yes, I still love going to those!!!

Jeremy's parents have just divorced. It was decided that Jeremy and his dad would take a trip to the seaside while his mom packs up her belongings and moves to her new house. Jeremy's uncle owns and rents a small cottage on the Oregon coast that is the perfect spot for Jeremy and his dad to hang out for a couple of weeks.

Jeremy is hoping to find a quiet place to relax and think through the changes happening in his life. He knows he will be asked to decide which parent he will eventually live with and what that will look like. In addition to figuring out how these changes will affect his life, Jeremy is struggling with a secret he isn't sure how or when to reveal.

His first day on the beach, Jeremy sees a dark-haired boy running along the surf. He tries to watch without being seen. He knows he wants to see more of this boy but isn't sure how to manage it. It turns out all he needs to do is shop at the boy's grandmother's gift shop when he goes to explore the town.

Jeremy and Evan hit it off and begin spending as much time together as possible, and Jeremy's secret may not stay secret for long. 

THE LANGUAGE OF SEABIRDS by Will Taylor explores Jeremy's struggles with his parents' separation and his questions about his sexuality in a tender and heartwarming way. There are moments of tension between father and son that will ring true for readers, and moments of discovery and wonder that will make Jeremy a character to remember.