The Confusion of Laurel Graham

Since Laurel Graham is an engrossed birder, and since a confusion is a group of warblers, and since Laurel is confused about many aspects of her life, the title is apropos. 

Laurel is extremely close to her grandmother and not close to her mother.  When Laurel’s grandmother is severely injured by being hit by a car, Laurel blames herself because she had seen her gran in an unsafe location beside the road, tried to get her to leave, but had not been able to change her grandmother’s mind.

Laurel is a knowledgeable birder and works at a nature conservancy.  She is obsessed with entering a contest for nature photography and with finding a strange bird that may be her grandmother’s spirit. 

Besides all this her mom has become engaged to a man she has just met and Laurel is beginning a relationship with a girl she had always regarded as an enemy and saboteur of her previous contest photograph. 

Along with all the angst in Laurel’s life the corrupt city government is pushing for new schools to be built on the Conservancy land which is wetlands and not at all suitable.  It is time for a protest!

This book uses much gratuitous language which is not necessary for the story.  It doesn’t fit.  Finding a book about bird lovers, a gay relationship, a very believable mother who has had too many boyfriends, in Laurel’s opinion, and all the corruption in local politics is unique. 

It is recommended for grades 8-12.

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland