The desperate adventures of Zeno & Alya

the long version

"An orphaned African grey parrot who can speak 127 words. A girl so sick, she has forgotten what it means to try. Fate--and a banana nut muffin--bring them together. Will their shared encounter help them journey through storms inside and out? Will they lose their way, or will they find what really matters? Here is a story that will remind readers how navigating so many of life's desperate adventures requires friendship and, above all, hope."--Dust jacket. A sick girl and an orphaned parrot form a friendship that helps them face challenges.