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books_46's review against another edition
4.0
Felix is nearly thirteen and together with his mom Astrid, they are between homes that is, living in a van. After her children’s book award nominated book, I didn’t think it could get better. Boy, was I wrong. Susin tackles issues such as poverty and homelessness without throwing us into the situation. She explains the situation from the beginning and demonstrates how easy it is to slip into poverty. Felix hides this from his classmates, only for the whole state to find out when he accidentally announces on live television. I liked the way we were eased into Felix’s situation and we understand the background. Overall, a win for me.
jbojkov's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book after a parent complained that it should not be included in our Junior Fiction collection. I'm so glad she did since it forced me to read it. What a great book! There are a few instances where adults expose their depravity to Felix the main character and because of that we did decide to move it to our teen collection- but I honestly think it will be more appreciated by those readers anyway. This is a book that has a great message- but it does not come across as preachy. Susan Nielsen is also just a great story teller. If you haven't read this one- I highly recommend it!
jeanettesonya's review against another edition
5.0
80% listened, 20% read, so I feel like I can confirm that this is both a fabulous audiobook and and incredibly well-written book. Highly deserving of its Red Maple 2020 win.
gabieowleyess's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book. I do think it would be more appropriate for middle school and up. There were some mature topics that I think would be better suited for a middle schooler. It definitely did give some perspective to what it might be like to be homeless as a young person.
librariann's review against another edition
4.0
Grades 5+ (Middle school humor)
Humorous, charming, realistic. I have yet to find a Susin Nielsen book that I dislike. Reminded me of Waiting for Normal and Paper Things, but with more light and levity. It's important to have levity when living in a van and you have first day of school diarrhea.
Humorous, charming, realistic. I have yet to find a Susin Nielsen book that I dislike. Reminded me of Waiting for Normal and Paper Things, but with more light and levity. It's important to have levity when living in a van and you have first day of school diarrhea.
ljrinaldi's review against another edition
5.0
Moving story
Well told with a bit of a mystery as it opens at a point that ends up being 2/3s through the book. Felix is a very real young boy trying to cope with homelessness and trying to hide it from his friends.
Well researched the story takes place in Vancouver, Canada one of the most expensive cities in North America. Although some stuff is made up, the houses that sit empty on the west side is not.
Good story. And I liked how it all came together. Thoroughly plausible
Well told with a bit of a mystery as it opens at a point that ends up being 2/3s through the book. Felix is a very real young boy trying to cope with homelessness and trying to hide it from his friends.
Well researched the story takes place in Vancouver, Canada one of the most expensive cities in North America. Although some stuff is made up, the houses that sit empty on the west side is not.
Good story. And I liked how it all came together. Thoroughly plausible
lukeswinney's review against another edition
5.0
I love Susin Nielsen’s books because they’re short, to the point, and they have a lot of heart. They’re quick reads, but in that time they transport you into the world of the main character with great detail. This one was no exception.
yapha's review against another edition
5.0
I did it again. I left this book on my TBR shelf for over a year. It was amazing and now I'm kicking myself for not reading it sooner! Through a combination of bad luck and missteps, 12-year-old Felix and his mom Astrid end up living in a van on the streets of Vancouver. While she keeps reassuring him it is just for a little while, Astrid has a hard time holding down a job and tends to alienate anyone who gets too close. Felix does his best to hid his situation from his friends at school. Adding to the excitement is his tryout for the teen version of a trivia game show. It's a good reminder of how close to the precipice so many people are. Highly recommended for grades 5 & up.
kba76's review against another edition
4.0
With echoes of Slumdog Millionaire, this is a heartwarming story that looks at an increasing problem in modern times.
Felix and his mother are having an adventure, she says. Having been asked to leave their apartment, they are going to live in a van. That is not an adventure, it’s desperate. Astrid, Felix’s mother, makes him promise not to let anyone know their circumstances.
Astrid has some mental health issues. She irritated me at times because her behaviour was so selfish. She didn’t seem to consider the impact her choices were having on Felix at all. Perhaps this seemed the case because we see everything through Felix’s eyes, but it rankled. That may sound harsh but not ever really seeing her thoughts meant it was hard to tell how much of their situation was caused by Astrid’s state of mind.
We know that rising living costs and many other factors can leave someone in a precarious situation. There was no sense of judgment here, and there were some genuinely lovely characters within the book who you just wish could be bottled.
The details of Felix’s life in the van are told with grim humour but this did mean we focus on the character rather than simply honing in on his living circumstances.
Ultimately I was cross by how many people guessed at there being a problem but who did nothing. While we act like this, little can change.
Thank you NetGalley for granting me access to this before publication in October.
Felix and his mother are having an adventure, she says. Having been asked to leave their apartment, they are going to live in a van. That is not an adventure, it’s desperate. Astrid, Felix’s mother, makes him promise not to let anyone know their circumstances.
Astrid has some mental health issues. She irritated me at times because her behaviour was so selfish. She didn’t seem to consider the impact her choices were having on Felix at all. Perhaps this seemed the case because we see everything through Felix’s eyes, but it rankled. That may sound harsh but not ever really seeing her thoughts meant it was hard to tell how much of their situation was caused by Astrid’s state of mind.
We know that rising living costs and many other factors can leave someone in a precarious situation. There was no sense of judgment here, and there were some genuinely lovely characters within the book who you just wish could be bottled.
The details of Felix’s life in the van are told with grim humour but this did mean we focus on the character rather than simply honing in on his living circumstances.
Ultimately I was cross by how many people guessed at there being a problem but who did nothing. While we act like this, little can change.
Thank you NetGalley for granting me access to this before publication in October.