Coming of Age; Young Adult Literature
Pop quiz (don't worry—we won't be grading): What do you call the transformation a person goes through when they start out a naïve and obedient thirteen year old only to become a self-possessed and super independent young woman?
Yes, puberty is one answer, but the one we're looking for is coming of age. This is exactly what Koly does in the book, gaining not only years but wisdom and clarity about who she is and what she wants from life. When we first meet her, the grown-ups are running her show—but in the end, Koly holds the reigns completely. And because of this, Homeless Bird is in the coming of age genre.
As for young adult lit, it's all about a young adult (Koly doesn't get that old over the course of the story, after all). Many of Koly's questions and concerns are classic teen issues, including serious pondering about what she actually wants from the world and her time in it. Plus the language is accessible, the plot is clear cut, and there aren't any tricks up the book's sleeve, all of which make it likely you can find a copy of Homeless Bird in the YA section at your local library/