Thirteen-year-old Shannon Bennet has a confusing and complex relationship with her brother, Phillip, who suffers from undiagnosed depression, and his subsequent suicide throws her into the midst of anger and guilt that suicide often brings on. "Sweet Bird of Prey" highlights such issues as bullying, loss, boyfriend drama, the relationship between mother and daughter, gossipy girls, drinking, social dilemmas, depression, suicide, and high school cliques.