No Place for Kids

by Alison Lohans

tagged: runaways, drugs, alcohol, substance abuse

Description

Finalist, Saskatchewan Book Awards, Best Children’s Book

Sisters Jennifer and Sarah were once part of a happy, stable family, but their idyllic life comes to an abrupt halt with the death of their mother. Unable to cope with his grief and the needs of his two young daughters, their father finds comfort in alcohol, gets fired from his job, and loses his grip on his family.

As twelve-year-old Jennifer approaches maturity, she starts to develop a tough exterior, especially when she attracts unwelcome attention from one of her father’s friends. With nothing left to lose, the two sisters decide run away to their mother’s sister in Vancouver, setting out with very little money and no clear plan. Along the way, they must overcome fear, loneliness, illness, and the conflict inherent in their sibling relationship. This emotional story deals with mature themes, but is ultimately about the enduring bonds of family. Suitable for readers aged nine to eleven.

About the Author

Alison Lohans is an award-winning, internationally published author of twenty-six books for young people. She has won awards, done hundreds of readings, taught many courses, and mentored a growing number of successful authors. When not writing, she can often be found playing her cello, recorder or cornet in a variety of musical groups. She also likes to explore different parts of the world. Alison lives in Regina, Saskatchewan, with her two furry friends, Bailey and Sebastian.

Age:: 9 to 12
Grade:: 6 to 9

Editorial Reviews

“This is a book that will help readers empathize with the characters, who are forced to survive by any means, as they set out on a journey to find a place called home." —#WeHaveDiverseBooks Catalogue, Association of Canadian Publishers

“A fast-paced, gripping read." —Jocelyn Reekie, CM Magazine

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Annotations

Librarian review

No Place for Kids

by [Top Grade]

Jennifer and Sarah were once part of a happy, stable family, but their idyllic life comes to an abrupt halt with the death of their mother. Unable to cope with his grief and the needs of his two young daughters, their father finds comfort in alcohol, and loses his grip on his family. With nothing left to lose, the two run away to their aunt’s in Vancouver, setting out with very little money and no clear plan.

Statistics for homeless youth in today’s urban centres are increasingly high. Many readers will identify – or sympathize —with Sarah and Jennifer’s desperation to survive in a world without parents. This is a book that will help readers empathize for the characters, who are forced to survive by any means, as they set out on a journey to find a place called home.

Author available for class visits. @alisonlohans

Source: Association of Canadian Publishers. Top Grade Selection 2016.