Reading Metrics
Description
When her family moves into Huey House, a homeless shelter, June thinks her luck can't get worse especially when she can't bring her beloved viola inside. The story follows June and Tyrell, two biracial sixth-graders who bond over their love of classical music while navigating life in the shelter, and soon they must confront a harsh new housing policy that puts their families at risk. Along the way they face bullying and learn that friendship and believing in themselves can create a sense of home even in the most difficult circumstances.
Quick Summary
Imagine a middle-grade novel that drops you right into a homeless shelter, but then lifts you up with the sound of a viola that's what happens in this story. June's arrival at Huey House feels like the worst luck, especially when she's told she can't bring her beloved instrument inside, yet the friendships she forms and the secret music sessions give the story a surprising amount of warmth and hope. The book is honest about the tough realities of unstable housing, and it doesn't shy away from a bit of bullying that adds real stakes, making the characters' perseverance feel earned. If you love stories where music or art becomes a lifeline, or if you've ever felt like an outsider trying to find a place to belong, you'll probably connect with June's journey. It's similar in tone to "The One and Only Ivan" blending hard realities with gentle humor while also echoing the emotional focus on music found in "Song for a Whale." Parents will appreciate that it's straightforward about challenges without being heavy-handed, and kids will see a brave, stubborn heroine who learns that home can be a feeling as much as a place.