After her father dies, June, her mother, and her sister Maybelle move into Huey House, a homeless shelter for families. Forced to be the leader of the family since her mother refuses to talk or to function, June is overwhelmed with caring for her sister, waking up before 5 A.M. to be transported to her school in Chinatown, and figuring out a way to keep practicing her viola.
Tyrell has lived in the Huey House for over three years. He and his best friend Jeremiah have managed to provide chaos and entertainment for the families (and employees) with their practical jokes. When he and Jeremiah meet June, they share their secret hideout within the building so she can practice her viola. Secretly, Tyrell longs to learn to play the violin.
Overhearing about new housing policies to be enforced, Tyrell and June collaborate to make their situation known to the mayor.
Great character development. Offers insight into what homeless families endure. I thought it ended a bit abruptly . .. not as neatly resolved as Ms. Glaser's Vanderbeeker books. I would not recommend this book for younger elementary.
Points to discuss: homelessness, parent's death, parent neglect, a dad killed a man and is in jail, a bit of romance, Domenika has a romance novel in her car, and the cover art has a woman with a very low-cut dress with a shirtless man (Tyrell has to read it aloud so Domenika's dog doesn't become car sick!!), lying, Chinese superstition, afterlife beliefs
No comments:
Post a Comment