Where I'd Like to Be

Maddie lives in a Tennessee group home called Hope House, where she bonds with the other foster children through storytelling sessions at night. She meets new resident Murphy, a girl who brings her own stories and claims to see ghosts. The girls form a close friendship, sharing their dreams of finding permanent homes while navigating life at Hope House with their fellow residents. When they discover an abandoned house nearby, it becomes their secret refuge and the inspiration for more tales. A chance encounter leads Maddie and Murphy to explore possibilities of family connections and what "home" truly means. Their search intertwines with their growing understanding of friendship, belonging, and personal history. The novel examines how stories can heal and unite, while exploring themes of found family and the universal desire for roots. Through its young characters, it considers what makes a real home and how people create their own definitions of family.

Readers describe this as a touching story about foster children finding connection and hope through storytelling. Many reviews note its sensitive handling of difficult topics like abandonment and grief while maintaining an age-appropriate tone. Readers appreciated: - Complex, realistic characters, especially protagonist Maddie's authentic voice - The ghost story elements that add mystery without being scary - Messages about found family and belonging - Strong character development throughout Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in the middle sections - Some side characters feel underdeveloped - A few reviewers found the ending too neat Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (382 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (21 ratings) One teacher reviewer noted: "My students connected deeply with these characters and their struggles to find their place." Several readers mentioned crying at key emotional moments, though some found the story "took too long to get going."

Rules of the Road by Joan Bauer A teenage girl works at a shoe store and takes her elderly boss on a road trip, discovering independence and her own strength while confronting family challenges.

The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson A foster child moves through homes while building walls around herself until she finds unexpected connections with her new foster family.

Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff An artistic foster child bounces between placements while holding onto memories of a perfect summer with a family who wanted to adopt her.

One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt A girl in foster care learns about family and belonging when placed with the Murphys, who show her a different way of life than she has known.

Ruby Holler by Sharon Creech Two orphaned twins leave their children's home to live with an older couple on a farm, where they discover trust and the meaning of home.

📚 The author drew inspiration from her experiences working at a group home for teenagers, lending authenticity to the story's portrayal of foster care life. 🏠 The book's central theme of "dream houses" was influenced by Frances O'Roark Dowell's childhood habit of drawing floor plans and imagining perfect homes. 🏆 Where I'd Like to Be won the 2004 Christopher Award, which recognizes works that "affirm the highest values of the human spirit." 📖 The ghost stories within the novel serve as a way for the characters to connect and build trust, reflecting the oral storytelling traditions of the American South. 🎨 The author incorporated elements of magical realism into what is otherwise a realistic story, blending the supernatural with everyday life in a way that particularly resonates with young readers.