A Growing Concern: Homelessness
Author Dianna Dorisi Winget takes us on a journey through the eyes of Shannon, a 12-year-old girl. After Shannon’s mom dies, her aunt Junie does her best to provide for both of them, but when she finds it impossible they take off to another state. A state, Aunt Junie tells Shannon, where there will be higher wages and they will be better off. So Aunt Junie, Shannon, and Shannon’s dog Boone head for better things.
But their move from Idaho to Washington doesn’t make things any better at all. In fact, they find themselves living in Aunt Junie’s car. Shannon tries desperately to hide this secret, while Aunt Junie deals with their predicament in her own way, with alcohol.
Will they ever find a way out of what appears to be a downhill situation?
My Thoughts
What Concerned Me: While I feel the ending is satisfying and just right for a middle-grade book, it felt a little too convenient and tidy.
What I Liked Most: This author is one of the best descriptive writers. In both of her books A Million Ways Home and Just Left Of Lucky, you will feel like you’re truly experiencing the story.
I highly recommend both of her books, which kept me turning pages quickly.
Even if you aren’t a dog lover, the dog in this story will certainly win you over.
Author: Dianna Dorisi Winget
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; (January 18, 2018)
From The Author:
It was an article in my hometown newspaper about the ever-increasing needs of our local food bank that really got me thinking about the topic of poverty and homelessness. It’s a topic most of us don’t like to think about, and yet the problem is so very real, in towns and cities large and small, in every region of the country. I started to think how difficult it would be for a child in this situation, how awkward or embarrassing it would be to have your friends find out you were homeless, and how far you might go to keep your situation a secret. I wanted to try to portray this experience in a realistic way, while still offering some hope and light. This is what I’ve tried to accomplish with Just Left of Lucky. The stories I heard, and the things I learned while researching this book, have forever changed my view of homelessness. I hope it might do the same for others.
