Almost Home (udgave 2012)

This dealt with many of the same issues for the same audience as Bauer's Close to Famous, and Close to Famous was a more thoughtfully written, memorable book. I was particularly annoyed with Sugar Mae's teacher -- Sugar Mae's adoration of him was completely over the top, and he sucked as a mandatory reporter. Teachers can't just get emails from their homeless former students with mentally ill mothers and not SAY anything to anybody! ( )

I am so glad I didn't miss this one! What a story! Sugar is so full of positive energy that I wish I knew her and could help to shield her from the world. Not that she needs it, she finds strength from within. Still, she deserves to have a life with a lot less stress. Each day she tries to look for the positive and is thankful for the people who come into her life, no matter what lesson they teach her. Her dog, Shush, comes to her accidentally, but Sugar finds creative ways to take care of him. Shush sure does help those around him. I felt bad for Sugar that she had to grow up so soon. No child should know what it is like to be homeless or have to parent their parent. Her attitude inspired me. I also loved the thank you notes she wrote throughout the book. When I learned about her painting doors to make the world a brighter place- I wanted to paint my door! How fun! This is a story I recommend to kids in grades three and up. Adults will love this story, too. Without a doubt this is a book you don’t want to miss! I look forward to reading more from this author!
( )

Reba says part of why I'm on this earth is to bring a little sweetness into people's lives. "And sweet doesn't mean stupid," she says. "Sweet doesn't mean weak. I'm not talking kittens wearing sun hats either. I'm talking kindness. You go out there, Sugar Mae Cole, and show 'em what it means to be sweet."

Sugar is a tough girl working through a difficult time in her and her mother's life. She feels like she's the grownup while her mother is the child. The relationship between her mother, Reba, and Sugar is very close and important in this story. There are moments where you see all that Reba has done for her daughter like make her know what being grateful means while also letting her down when it comes to her father.

Sugar constantly writes thank you notes to those who have helped her. She writes poems about what she's going through. And Sugar writes e-mail's to her former teacher Mr. B after she loses her home and moves to Chicago. She's a writer through and through that captures her struggles and her determination through her writing and her voice.

You keep saying that you're sorry,
But I wonder if you are.
I don't see you changing to make things better.
I don't see you reaching out to help me
Or getting any help for yourself.
Who's the mother anyway?
Is it you or me?

Shush is a dog that purrs who comes into Sugar's life with what felt like fate. He's been kicked around by his former owner's father so he's very quiet and very nervous. He grows throughout this story just like Sugar and Reba. He just reminds me how much dogs and pets can bring joy and great perspective in your life. Like Sugar always says, he's going to be the great one day.

I am the stone girl.
You can't reach me.
I wont let you.
You can't hurt me anymore.
Nobody can.

Sugar has to deal with homelessness, her mother's sudden stressed-induced depression, and her father, Mr. Leeland's false promises. I loved Sugar, Shush, their story, and the new family that took her in. Sugar found herself making a new friend Dante and found a job walking dogs. One thing she learned about Mr. B was to sell something. She sells her dog's greatness and her abilities the whole time. I can tell the whole time that the way Sugar projects her kindness and her belief on other people (and animals) will cement how wonderful she will grow up to be.

Overall, Almost Home is hopeful, poetic, and inspiring. ( )

I have not yet read this book.

A young girl and her mother find themselves homeless, jobless and hopping from state to state. As they face struggles and sicknesses, they do their best to restore their faith and to get back on their feet.