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xangemtheelibrarian 's review for:
A Duet for Home
by Karina Yan Glaser
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