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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
A Middle Grade children’s book that explained the problems of family homelessness better than most adult books.
Beautiful book! Made me rethink the topic of family and homelessness. A must-read for all!
Amazing! After reading all the Vanderbeekers books I’m glad I finally got to read another Karina Yan Glaser novel! The characters are believable and relatable and music is so important for ever kid. Great adult role models and exposing some issues with NYC’s homeless services. All around amazing book that I finished so quickly!
LOVE! I loved everything about this book--the themes of family, loyalty, friends, the characters, the poignant social issues broached. Informational, entertaining & moving. A must-read & top pick of 2022!
KARINA YAN GLASER CAN DO NO WRONG, & i am - of course - WEEPING AT THIS ENDING. my first job out of school was also in the social service arena, specifically around homelessness, & this book just WAS A GIANT TUG on my heart strings. thank you & good day.
Karin Yan Glaser is a phenomenal author. This book was an incredible story and I’ll read everything she writes.
For a middle grade novel, the ending is perfect, but I wish the world we lived in had as happy and compassionate endings for people experiencing homelessness as this book.
For a middle grade novel, the ending is perfect, but I wish the world we lived in had as happy and compassionate endings for people experiencing homelessness as this book.
Karina Yan Glasser is one of my favourite children's authors of all time. I was so excited to get my hands on this stand-alone story after enjoying the first six Vanderbeeker books and this did not disappoint. Karina brings the heart of New York City to life in her writing, you can tell how much she is devoted to genuinely telling stories of heartache, hope and humanity. This story takes on such heavy topics (homelessness, neglectful parents, survival) in a delicate and almost whimsical way. You will be cheering on the characters through their struggles and rejoice at the beauty of music and its power brought into this poignant and moving book of loyalty, survival and friendship in unlikely places.
My only sadness, was that the story wrapped up a bit quickly at the end, it felt a bit unfinished in some ways -- I wished there was a part two so we could have some more character development and less ending on a climax of sorts. Still a solid 4 stars and a beautiful story.
My only sadness, was that the story wrapped up a bit quickly at the end, it felt a bit unfinished in some ways -- I wished there was a part two so we could have some more character development and less ending on a climax of sorts. Still a solid 4 stars and a beautiful story.
I love the Vanderbeekers and am excited for Karina's other works. I really fell in love with this book with the characters and their situations. Everyone in this book was going through a tough time, but they were working together to rise up. I am so glad Karina kept music as a part of her book and family as a central theme. Also, the activism at the end was a great addition-love books showing kids taking on challenges. Great read.
Karina Yan Glaser, best known for her charming Vanderbeeker series, pens A Duet for Home, inspired by her years supporting those in transitional housing. The introduction by Karina Yan Glaser sets the tone for the story, and I couldn't help but smile when I read about one young resident's encounter with The Giving Tree, as it reminded me of my husband's reaction to the book, which has forever changed my perspective of it.
A Duet for Home is told in alternating chapters. Tyrell is a sixth grader who has lived at the New York City shelter for three years, long enough that he considers it home. Eleven-year-old June, viola player, older sister to Maybelle, daughter to a mother who has been all but catatonic for six months, is newly homeless. Their friendship allows them to process suppressed grief, and when the shelter's residents are going to be sent out to unsafe and unstable living environments, they must decide what, if anything, children can do to draw attention to the situation.
The cast of characters is diverse, and the story incorporates NYC's Housing Stability Plus program, a short-lived program due to its many shortcomings. It is a valuable story that children can be encouraged and inspired by.
(I received a digital ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.)
A Duet for Home is told in alternating chapters. Tyrell is a sixth grader who has lived at the New York City shelter for three years, long enough that he considers it home. Eleven-year-old June, viola player, older sister to Maybelle, daughter to a mother who has been all but catatonic for six months, is newly homeless. Their friendship allows them to process suppressed grief, and when the shelter's residents are going to be sent out to unsafe and unstable living environments, they must decide what, if anything, children can do to draw attention to the situation.
The cast of characters is diverse, and the story incorporates NYC's Housing Stability Plus program, a short-lived program due to its many shortcomings. It is a valuable story that children can be encouraged and inspired by.
(I received a digital ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.)