The Sparrows of Edward Street

'Elizabeth Stead takes readers into the grinding world of a NSW housing commission camp for the homeless in the mid-20th century,' reviewer Chris Harrington of Books in Print, Melbourne

'The Sparrows of Edward Street is a wonderful novel about family relationships, about overcoming hardship and the strengths that people can gain by pulling together to beat the odds. It also provides insight into the lives of those left damaged and poor in the years after World War Two. This is a story told with great humour; you will never look at a sparrow in the same way again.’ Australian Bookseller + Publisher

‘It's fascinating, funny and sad, all at the same time. In a word: Riveting.’ Townsville Bulletin

‘There’s post-war tragedy, humiliation and illness in the camp, but Aria brings to it humour and lots of heart.’ Good Reading

‘The Sparrows of Edward Street is a funny and heartbreaking novel distinguished by the voice of an assured storyteller.’  Weekend Australian

‘This Stead writes with a wicked sense of humour. The voice of her heroine, Aria Sparrow, is flirty and naughty. … Stead's sympathetic attitude to the working-class families who struggled in those years is reminiscent of Ruth Park's writing.’ Saturday Age

‘It's easy to read and at time so evocative you can almost taste the dust kicked up on the streets.’ SHOP Magazine

‘Aria Sparrow is an Australian original, at once hard-boiled and delightful. The Sparrows of Edward Street is one of those rare books that make you look at the world differently.’ … 'This uplifting novel is destined to become an Australian classic.’ Courier-Mail

‘The Sparrows of Edward Street is one of those rare books that make you look at the world differently.’ Daily Telegraph

‘This vibrantly written novel invokes a memorable cast of characters as it catches the pathos and humour of a neglected chapter from Sydney's history.’ Sunday Canberra Times

‘This uplifting novel is destined to become an Australian classic.’ Sunday Territorian

‘Even with her firsthand knowledge of the Sparrows’ plight, Stead writes with her customary humour and lightness of touch, The Sparrows of Edward Street has a refreshingly Australian point of view expressed through the protagonist’s cocksure attitude. The novel pays homage to naïveté. It traces a trajectory from despair to hope, as the Sparrows overcome their hardships and succeed in leaving the camp.’ Australian Book Review

‘This sometimes sad, sometimes funny story is full of charming characters.’ Herald-Sun

‘This is a wonderful novel about family relationships, about overcoming hardship and the strengths that people can gain by pulling together to beat the odds.’ Toowoomba Chronicle

‘This is a coming-of-age novel of an already worldly child. I haven't enjoyed a book this much in awhile.’ Sydney Morning Herald