JANE || Almost Home by Jessica Blank
Monday, April 14, 2008 // 11:56 PM
All that glitters is not gold in Hollywood. For seven teens, the street is their home. There's Eeyore, just twelve-years-old when she runs away from home, harboring a secret she's too ashamed to tell anyone; Rusty, who winds up alone and broke when his older boyfriend ditches him in Hollywood; and Squid, who has survived a meth-addict mom and too many foster homes to count and now determined to create his own "sidewalk family" out on the streets. Then there's Scabius, a rough, delusional punk from Utah; Critter, a heroin dealer with movie-star looks and a vulnerable heart; and Laura, a smart and restless girl who's run to L.A. in search of something bigger than the tiny town she comes from. And then there's Tracy -- the charismatic, damaged thread that ties them all together and irrevocably changes each of their lives.The casting of characters that Blank created for the story was strong and authentic, but even though the characters may be fictional, their situation wasn't. She offers a glimpse into each character's life -- weaving each of their own struggles and stories together with the central character, Tracy. However, she is careful not to let the story revolve or end with her.
Words cannot even begin to describe how much this book has made me think and opened my eyes. The circumstances are real and so is the danger. Homelessness is not as disbanded as we think. There are still teens out there calling the streets their home, living off of our garbage, and doing just about anything to survive. Blank is allowing us to see this through her story and narrates with a blunt, honest, unwavering tone.
Overall, an absolute must-read and a good choice for reluctant readers. I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to end and I'm sure you will too.
- Jane.
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