Shelter

by Christie Matheson (Author)

Shelter
Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade

A heart-wrenching middle grade debut that considers homelessness from one girl's perspective and explores deep truths about the resounding impact of empathy. Perfect for fans of One for the Murphys and Paper Things.

Fifth grade can be tough for anyone. There are cliques and mean kids and homework and surprise math tests. But after tragedy strikes her family, almost-eleven-year-old Maya has a painful secret that makes many days feel nearly impossible.

And today might be Maya's toughest yet. Her family is on edge, she needs to travel alone across the city, a bully is out to get her, and Maya has to face this winter's biggest rainstorm without a coat or an umbrella.

But even on the rainiest days, there's hope that the sun will come out soon.

Emotional and compassionate, Shelter looks at homelessness through one girl's eyes and explores the power of empathy, friendship, and love.

Select format:
Hardcover
$16.99

School Library Journal

Gr 4 Up--Maya, a white fifth grade student, has a secret she hopes no one at her San Francisco private school will uncover. After her father has a near-fatal accident, her family experiences homelessness, with Maya, her mother, and her little sister living in a shelter across town from her school while her dad recovers in a hospital. This book follows Maya during one fateful day in this secret life: on a long bus ride, at school, and back again. Matheson was inspired to write this story after talking with her own daughter about homelessness in the Bay Area and volunteering together at a family shelter. Authentic details make Maya's situation stark and real: She wears a braid to prevent lice, experiences hunger pains from a skipped breakfast, deals with having no raincoat on a stormy day, conceals her secret even from her best friend, and must protect her backpack with all her possessions from a mean girl. By turns heartbreaking and affirming, this novel reminds readers what is most important--and what we often take for granted. Tweens will identify with Maya and also learn from her. Maya's choice not to tell her teachers about her situation may raise some questions, but Maya's sense of pride comes through. VERDICT An important purchase for upper elementary and early middle school collections looking to provide a unique, complex perspective on homelessness.--Kate Fleming, Hosford M.S., Portland, OR

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

Brings a pressing national crisis into clear focus for young readers; highly recommended. —Kirkus Reviews

By turns heartbreaking and affirming, this novel reminds readers what is most important—and what we often take for granted. . . . An important purchase for upper elementary and early middle school collections. School Library Journal
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780593376386
Lexile Measure
750
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication date
October 12, 2021
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV039060 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Friendship
JUV039070 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Homelessness & Poverty
JUV039230 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Bullying
Library of Congress categories
Families
Family life
Schools
Homeless persons
Homeless children
Shelters for the homeless

Subscribe to our delicious e-newsletter!