Fly Away Home

A young boy and his father live in an airport terminal, moving between different areas to avoid detection as homeless people. They follow strict routines and rules to blend in with travelers, carrying bags to look like passengers and keeping their few possessions in airport lockers. The boy observes other homeless people in the terminal and learns about their circumstances and survival strategies. He attends school during the day while his father works as a janitor, and they maintain hope of saving enough money for an apartment. The story offers a child's perspective on homelessness and surfaces questions about home, dignity, and family bonds. Through its airport terminal setting, the book presents themes of transience and belonging in ways that resonate with both young and adult readers.

Readers highlight this book's gentle handling of homelessness through a child's perspective. Parents and teachers appreciate how it introduces a difficult topic to young children while remaining hopeful. Readers liked: - Eve Bunting's straightforward writing style - Ronald Himler's muted, realistic illustrations - The father's dignity and determination - Focus on family bonds during hardship - Educational value for classroom discussions Common criticisms: - Story feels incomplete or unresolved - Some found it too sad for young children - Limited practical solutions offered - Brief length leaves questions unanswered Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.18/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (190+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 Multiple teachers noted using it to build empathy and discuss social issues. One parent reviewer cautioned: "Important message but prepare for lots of questions from your kids." Several readers mentioned crying while reading it to their children.

The Lady in the Box by Barbara Ann McGovern Two children discover a homeless woman living in their neighborhood and wrestle with how to help her survive the winter.

December by Eve Bunting A homeless boy and his mother maintain their dignity and hope while living in a cardboard box during the holiday season.

A Shelter in Our Car by Monica Gunning A young girl and her mother navigate life while living in their car after moving to America from Jamaica.

The Can Man by Laura E. Williams A boy learns about empathy when he competes with a homeless man to collect cans for money.

Uncle Willie and the Soup Kitchen by DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan A young boy spends time with his uncle at a soup kitchen and learns about community service and helping others in need.

🏠 The story's author, Eve Bunting, has written more than 250 books for children, drawing inspiration from real-world social issues she observes in her community. ✈️ The book was inspired by a 1990 New York Times article about homeless families living in airports, highlighting a lesser-known face of homelessness in America. 👨‍👦 Many airports during the late 1980s and early 1990s became temporary homes for families, with LAX and JFK being notable examples where people would move between terminals to avoid detection. 🎨 The book's illustrator, Ronald Himler, used muted colors and realistic artwork to capture the somber mood of the story while still making it accessible to young readers. 📚 The book has been used in many elementary school curricula to teach children about homelessness and social justice, earning recognition from the National Council for the Social Studies.