Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
My aunt wrote this book! So beautiful loved the characters and whole story line just so real
3 stars. Not gonna rate because this is YA and not my usual genre. I feel like the themes of homelessness, grief, and friendship should be the ingredients for a tear jerker but it was just eh. Sweet though!
solid middle grade read
recommend to kids who like Front Desk, realistic fiction with hardship
recommend to kids who like Front Desk, realistic fiction with hardship
In a shocker to absolutely no one: Karina Yan Glaser wrote a book full of tenderness and the most endearing, fully human characters that made me weep on a plane
emotional
funny
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
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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:
Complicated
Absolutely touching. After a tragic accident, June, her sister, and her mom end up in the same Bronx homeless shelter as Tyrell, who's been in the shelter with his mom for years. After a prank with the cafeteria cranberry juice, June and Tyrell don't exactly start off on the right foot, but they soon connect over their love of classical music. Their friendship grows further when they realize that the city is pursuing a new housing policy that simply doesn't work for families. Glaser brings us characters who struggle with their emotions and experience personal growth, which is especially key for middle school characters. A great book for kids who enjoy realistic fiction titles like No Fixed Address by Susin Nielsen, The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Perez, Ghost by Jason Reynolds, or Liar and Spy by Rebecca Stead.
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
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
This was a sweet and touching read. I liked the positive influences in Tyrell's life and that the ending was satisfying but open-ended. Glaser managed to give a bird's eye view on issues of homelessness and family dysfunction while still making this kid-appropriate. A Duet for Home offered a nuanced approach that I really appreciated.
I'm only rating A Duet for Home four stars because I didn't love this (solely because I'm an adult reading a middle grade book).
4 Stars.
I'm only rating A Duet for Home four stars because I didn't love this (solely because I'm an adult reading a middle grade book).
4 Stars.
This book is based on the author's experience working in a homeless shelter in the Bronx.
This definitely has a lot of deep themes and topics for a children's book: homelessness, death of a parent, parent in prison, politics, bad luck, friends moving away, etc.
I enjoyed the string instruments and music theme throughout.
Recommended from the 2024 summer reading guide.
This definitely has a lot of deep themes and topics for a children's book: homelessness, death of a parent, parent in prison, politics, bad luck, friends moving away, etc.
I enjoyed the string instruments and music theme throughout.
Recommended from the 2024 summer reading guide.
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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