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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
2.5*. I am sorry to say that I didn't like this book as much as I wanted to. In fact, 3 liked the short afterword more than I liked the book itself. Mostly because the book did not feel genuine. It seemed heavily sanitized and lacked complexity. I am rounding up for good intentions.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
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
This beautifully diverse story shows a part of America I rarely stop to think about: the families and children who struggle with poverty and homelessness. Karina Yan Glaser is very gentle in broaching subjects like parents struggling with mental illness or holding down jobs, a government who doesn't see unhoused families as anything but statistics to be obliterated, and the courage often needed to stand up for your own human rights when facing against impossible odds.
The story did feel kind of unfinished. But I think that was the point.We don't know whether Tyrell is still going to have to move or not before his mom is able to hold down a job. We don't know how long June, Maybelle, and their mother is going to be in the shelter. We don't know if Ms. G is going to ever get the justice she deserves after being fired. We don't know if Maybelle will ever get to adopt Nana. We don't know what happens to Jameel after he is taken away. I think that's kind of the nature of being unable to care for yourself or have stable, consistent living conditions to thrive in. It's heartbreaking.
The story did feel kind of unfinished. But I think that was the point.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent
What a treasure! This book covers homelessness in such an easy manner. June ans her family have to go to a homeless shelter after the loss of her dad and her mother shuts down. June is doing everything she can to hold her family together while dealing with familial superstitions. She makes some friends in 2 boys who have been in the homeless shelter for years. June and Tyrell bond over their love of classical music and eventually she helps tutor him with the violin. Eventually, they learn of a new government policy that will force them into unsafe housing but with reduce the number of homeless people. June and Tyrell rally people to the capital and talk with the mayor who promises to halt this policy and investigate.
This book was based around a true kid in a homeless shelter and a policy that did actually force homeless people into unsafe conditions.
This book was based around a true kid in a homeless shelter and a policy that did actually force homeless people into unsafe conditions.
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:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
This is such a wonderful book, with themes of home, family (and found family), grief and healing, finding one's voice, and the power of music. I loved the characters, the storyline, and Karina Yan Glaser's excellent writing. It will stick with me for a long time. I will recommend A Duet for Home to both children and adults as a top notch middle grade read.
A Duet for Home by Katrina Yan Glaser made me question my whole rating system. It's a cut above other books I've rated five stars, including The Vanderbeeker series by the same author which I adore. Where the Vanderbeeker children are charming and relatable the main characters of ADFH June and Tyrell, are real in the depths of their struggles. They remind me so much of students I've had who face challenges many adults never have to endure.
Van Glaser addresses the main concerns of homeless families along with the many contributing factors, and symptoms of homelessness with such sensitivity and realism. Realism that is heart wrenching to read at times. I cried so much in this book but I wouldn't have homelessness portrayed any other way. Children's lives and stability are precious and it should break our hearts when their basic needs are not met.
Don't let me trick you into picturing ADFH as a depressing or unsuitable read for young kids. On the contrary, June and Tyrell's experiences are a perfect gateway to this relevant issue. The book is centered on the kids' story and never comes across as preachy. Kids who are naturally compassionate will follow the story driven by hope for their favorite character. Even the altering perspectives was done perfectly and gives readers even more opportunities to connect.
Van Glaser addresses the main concerns of homeless families along with the many contributing factors, and symptoms of homelessness with such sensitivity and realism. Realism that is heart wrenching to read at times. I cried so much in this book but I wouldn't have homelessness portrayed any other way. Children's lives and stability are precious and it should break our hearts when their basic needs are not met.
Don't let me trick you into picturing ADFH as a depressing or unsuitable read for young kids. On the contrary, June and Tyrell's experiences are a perfect gateway to this relevant issue. The book is centered on the kids' story and never comes across as preachy. Kids who are naturally compassionate will follow the story driven by hope for their favorite character. Even the altering perspectives was done perfectly and gives readers even more opportunities to connect.
June and Tyrell don't know it, but they end up becoming fast friends. This is a bit unusual seeing as they met in a homeless shelter called Huey House.
Tyrell is there because his mother has trouble holding down a job. June is there because her mother has been out of sorts since June's father died, and won't go to work.
Both of them have lost their homes, and thus are in a homeless shelter. The homeless shelter has been there to help people get back on their feet, find jobs, find permanent housing, but the current crop of people in the mayor's office want to make it look as though there war less homeless people, so is trying to move everyone out, it doesn't matter where, or if there is public transit, out you go. This will not work for either June or Tyrell.
Something must be done.
This is a sweet, quick, well written story of what it is like to be in a homeless shelter, and about the bad as well as good times there. The author worked her way through college working in a homeless shelter, and she wrote that she to know many kids, and helped them with their reading, among other things.
Lovable characters that you root for, and want to hug when they are at their lowest.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
Tyrell is there because his mother has trouble holding down a job. June is there because her mother has been out of sorts since June's father died, and won't go to work.
Both of them have lost their homes, and thus are in a homeless shelter. The homeless shelter has been there to help people get back on their feet, find jobs, find permanent housing, but the current crop of people in the mayor's office want to make it look as though there war less homeless people, so is trying to move everyone out, it doesn't matter where, or if there is public transit, out you go. This will not work for either June or Tyrell.
Something must be done.
This is a sweet, quick, well written story of what it is like to be in a homeless shelter, and about the bad as well as good times there. The author worked her way through college working in a homeless shelter, and she wrote that she to know many kids, and helped them with their reading, among other things.
Lovable characters that you root for, and want to hug when they are at their lowest.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
I'm a fan of Glaser's writing. This story helps the reader become more aware of what it would be like to live in a homeless shelter. It's also full of friendship.