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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A book about a group of kids navigating life in a homeless shelter.
I wasn't a huge fan of the first Vanderbeekers book and was worried this would be a cheesy, surface level book about being homeless...but it's a lot more.
I read the author's note before reading the book and I think that added weight to the story since the author used to work helping those in a similar situation.
This book is all about community and helping one another. It spends a lot of time showing how all the main characters are feeling and how they deal with living in Huey House. I really appreciated how it showed how different parents handled living there, some thriving, while others were neglecting their responsibilities. There is so much pain and heartache in most of the characters' lives and they're just trying to survive and make a better life for themselves.
Also, all the references to classical music added another interesting element to the story. I loved that we got to see how passionate the kids were about music. Plus, the ending is so beautiful and powerful!! It definitely got me emotional.
I wasn't a huge fan of the first Vanderbeekers book and was worried this would be a cheesy, surface level book about being homeless...but it's a lot more.
I read the author's note before reading the book and I think that added weight to the story since the author used to work helping those in a similar situation.
This book is all about community and helping one another. It spends a lot of time showing how all the main characters are feeling and how they deal with living in Huey House. I really appreciated how it showed how different parents handled living there, some thriving, while others were neglecting their responsibilities. There is so much pain and heartache in most of the characters' lives and they're just trying to survive and make a better life for themselves.
Also, all the references to classical music added another interesting element to the story. I loved that we got to see how passionate the kids were about music. Plus, the ending is so beautiful and powerful!! It definitely got me emotional.
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
informative
tense
medium-paced
Karina Yan Glaser is a god-tier author who writes crisp, moving middle grade novels that don't avoid tough issues. She sees dignity in all.
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Just reading the author’s note for this book makes me emotional. How this story must have grew in Glaser’s mind over the years, from her time working in a library of a housing shelter.
In this story, we meet June on her first day arriving at a shelter, finding a friend in Tyrell, who has been there 1,275 days. Through their shared love of classical music (appendix of music in the book at the back), June begins to see what the shelter can offer her in the midst of her bad luck.
I haven’t had any students make it through this book but it has a great message. I sometimes feel like books like this are great for family read alouds, or advanced readers (in this case who like kind of sad - yet inspirational, moving stories). I feel like this one has a definite message.
“Home was a funny thing. You thought it meant one thing, only to discover it meant something else entirely.” Ch 57
“…the shelter has become a place where my family can…become whole again.” Ch 71
In this story, we meet June on her first day arriving at a shelter, finding a friend in Tyrell, who has been there 1,275 days. Through their shared love of classical music (appendix of music in the book at the back), June begins to see what the shelter can offer her in the midst of her bad luck.
I haven’t had any students make it through this book but it has a great message. I sometimes feel like books like this are great for family read alouds, or advanced readers (in this case who like kind of sad - yet inspirational, moving stories). I feel like this one has a definite message.
“Home was a funny thing. You thought it meant one thing, only to discover it meant something else entirely.” Ch 57
“…the shelter has become a place where my family can…become whole again.” Ch 71
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I fell asleep multiple times while reading this, because I had such a hard time getting into it. I was hugely disappointed because I LOVE the Vanderbeeker books.
Quick Summary: Thought-provoking and heartwarming
My Review: A Duet for Home by Karina Yan Glaser was truly a deep and thought provoking story. It stirred my heart, even making me tearful several times. It spoke of family, tragedy, heartbreak, mental health, friendship, loss, justice, and more. In the end, it was a story about finding home and discovering the rhythm of life.
My Final Say: This book has easily earned a place on my favorites shelf. It is worthy of being revisited again and again.
Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: YA
Much appreciation is expressed to the author, to the publisher, and to NetGalley who provided access to a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review. The words I have expressed are my own and have not been influenced by the aforementioned in any way.
My Review: A Duet for Home by Karina Yan Glaser was truly a deep and thought provoking story. It stirred my heart, even making me tearful several times. It spoke of family, tragedy, heartbreak, mental health, friendship, loss, justice, and more. In the end, it was a story about finding home and discovering the rhythm of life.
My Final Say: This book has easily earned a place on my favorites shelf. It is worthy of being revisited again and again.
Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: YA
Much appreciation is expressed to the author, to the publisher, and to NetGalley who provided access to a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review. The words I have expressed are my own and have not been influenced by the aforementioned in any way.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes