The Someday Birds

Sally J. Pla uses Charlie’s evolving relationship with birds and the natural world to explore the ways in which nature might heal and center the individual. For as long as Charlie can remember, he’s loved to read and talk about birds. However, at the start of the novel, Charlie “hate[s] to be outside” because it’s “dusty and dirty” (19). Outside of his occasional trips to the canyon with his dad to see birds, Charlie’s understanding of nature is limited to books until he and his family travel across the country. Pla uses environments and sights, including the “big, monotonous desert[s],” “wide fancy boulevard[s],” “hot beige wasteland[s],” “dark Wyoming mountain[s],” and “piercing-bright diamond stars” to both inspire and move Charlie (49, 89, 103). Each new setting opens Charlie to new ways of seeing the world, other people, and himself. He discovers a deep connection with nature by exploring diverse regions around the United States and learns how healing and empowering these adventures can be. The more places he visits, the more excited he feels to try new things. Therefore, Charlie’s changing geographical context throughout the novel mirrors his shifting emotional state and inspires the array of lessons he learns.