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You might be surprised to learn how many students are considered to be homeless in your local public schools.  I was definitely surprised to learn how many homeless students attend the district where I live. Though resources are available, not all families want to receive help.  Many students feel like they have to keep secret the way they’re living, whether it’s spending the night in a car or doing without basic things like electricity and water.  Hunger is just one concern for these students.  These situations are so sad.  It definitely impacts the students’ ability to succeed in school.  Where I Live by Brenda Rufener takes a hard look at one young woman’s determination and survival as a homeless teen.

It’s difficult to get through high school without some degree of angst, but imagine doing it while washing your underwear in the school bathroom sink.  What about picking up food from the floor, saving it for tomorrow’s breakfast?  Many high school students would snub their nose at the thought of cleaning someone else’s house for cash, but Linden appreciates the money.  It was refreshing to read about a teen who had the will to improve her life.  Though Linden understandably had woe-is-me moments, she certainly planned for her future and invested in herself.  In a world where many kids grow up expecting the world to come to them, Linden really stands out.  Instead of justifying her needs and taking from others, she works for everything she has.  Still, Linden is a typical teen.  She has crushes, likes pretty makeup, and craves cheese fries.  The homeless detail was just one facet of her well-developed character.

Where I Live was a bit cluttered with unrelated events, and I found it hard to stay interested.  I skimmed a lot of sections with the intention of just finding out “what happens in the end?”  I enjoyed reading about her friendships.  In that regard, the story reminded me a bit of Eleanor and Park.  I stayed up way too late finishing this book, and was glad to see how the book ended.

Have you read a book about homeless teens?