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A review by suziscreendoor
No Fixed Address by Susin Nielsen
5.0
An excellent book, with an important subject. Nielsen's writing is engaging and authentic, which allowed me to feel completely immersed in the story. I really empathized with Felix's struggles, especially his embarrassment and discomfort throughout the novel.
I also appreciated how the author alluded to mature issues that would normally not be included in middle grade novels, but that readers in this age group will nonetheless be familiar with. Sex, masturbation, drug use, mental illness, and more are all addressed in a way that feels authentic from the perspective of a 12-year-old. He doesn't necessarily discuss these things head-on, but he is starting to be aware of the complicated lives of the adults around him.
The main character is mixed race, though he is quite steeped in the Swedish ancestry of his mother's side. Many of the secondary characters are from diverse backgrounds, which feels very Vancouver.
I also appreciated how the author alluded to mature issues that would normally not be included in middle grade novels, but that readers in this age group will nonetheless be familiar with. Sex, masturbation, drug use, mental illness, and more are all addressed in a way that feels authentic from the perspective of a 12-year-old. He doesn't necessarily discuss these things head-on, but he is starting to be aware of the complicated lives of the adults around him.
The main character is mixed race, though he is quite steeped in the Swedish ancestry of his mother's side. Many of the secondary characters are from diverse backgrounds, which feels very Vancouver.