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poeseph29's review against another edition
5.0
This definitely a modern classic. I wish i had more to say when i love a book.
staceym's review against another edition
4.0
Different from a normal mystery. Before I suggest this book to a reader, I will need to know if they can handle shelter life.
lhawk1's review against another edition
Ugh. Sorry, I love Blue Balliet's books, but I couldn't get past the first 50 pages of this one! HOW it was written, just aggravated me. The whole *CLICK* style. Sorry, I may go back and finish this one later, but I'm not in the mood right now.
sunflowerjess's review
5.0
This is the first book I have seen or read concerning children experiencing homelessness. There were a couple small gaps in the plot, but these are easily forgivable. The author does an amazing job of showing readers the reality of homelessness for many children like Early and Jubie, including the slide into depression and hopelessness of their parent, the dehumanization by the environment and the essential re-humanization by individual staff members, the interminable waiting in lines, and the cruel stigma of society.
afro75's review against another edition
4.0
I wasn't sure about this book at the beginning. I found both the language an characters a little too pollyannaesque. Things really started moving once the mystery became more apart of the story. I really loved author's use of langston hughes poems and the ideas the homeless children had about using abandonded building to draw the reader into the narrative. I really started thinking about how the way social services are offered can hinder someones ability to get back on their feet. This is a good read for children familiar with family upheaval.
kalb924's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting story. It was clearly a love letter to language. I loved the wordplay. However, I felt like maybe it was too many stories in one book. Part disappearing father mystery, part realistic portrayal of homeless life, I wish the author had dropped one and expanded on the other more. I also don't know how much true kid appeal this has. Overall though, I found it to be an enjoyable read.
kevinhendricks's review against another edition
4.0
A caper story about a family poor in wealth but rich in spirit who get caught up in crime and end up separated and in a homeless shelter. The poetry of Langston Hughes is featured as an inspiration and gives the story a peculiar rhythm. The family's love of words is infectious, and the realities of life in a shelter are sobering.
wordnerd153's review against another edition
4.0
A wonderfully written mystery about the disappearance of the narrator's father and what happens to her family as a result.
hjeter's review against another edition
DNF about 15% in. Might return to it if I purchase for library.
mbrevesz's review against another edition
5.0
While I have liked other books by Balliett in the past, I loved this one. Early Pearl is a girl who loves words and her family is thrown into chaos when her father disappears and their apartment is broken into and ransacked. Forced to move into a homeless shelter, Early tries to find her father her father and keep her family together. A good glimpse into the life of a homeless family, which is often difficult and heartbreaking. It also features a lot of Langston Hughes references, and a love of language that I always appreciate in Balliett's work.