Hold Fast

Early Pearl and her family live in a small Chicago apartment filled with words, books, and love for numbers and patterns. When her father disappears and disaster strikes, Early and her brother and mother become homeless and must move into a shelter. Early refuses to accept that her father's disappearance is random, and begins investigating what really happened. She uses her knowledge of words and codes, along with help from shelter friends and her own determination, to search for answers in Chicago's streets and libraries. The story combines elements of mystery, family bonds, and survival as Early navigates life in the shelter while pursuing clues about her missing father. Her appreciation for poet Langston Hughes and his works provides inspiration throughout her journey. This middle-grade novel explores themes of housing insecurity, the power of words, and the strength found in family connections. The narrative brings visibility to the realities of homeless children while celebrating intellectual curiosity and resilience.

Readers find this mystery novel both compelling and challenging, with its focus on homelessness and family bonds. The unconventional storytelling style and word puzzles engage middle-grade readers while addressing serious social issues. Liked: - Educational elements about words, poetry, and libraries - Authentic portrayal of Chicago's shelter system - Strong female protagonist - Family relationships feel realistic - Pearl's love of words and literature resonates with book lovers Disliked: - Some found the plot slow to develop - Vocabulary and word puzzles too complex for target age group - Several readers mention the story gets confusing in places - Some found the ending rushed Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (3,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (180+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 One teacher noted: "My students connected with Pearl's resilience and learned about homelessness without feeling preached to." A parent reviewer wrote: "The word games slowed the pace too much for my 10-year-old, who lost interest halfway through."

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg Two children run away to live in the Metropolitan Museum of Art while solving an art mystery.

Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett Two students work to uncover an art heist through codes, puzzles, and patterns in their Chicago neighborhood.

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin Sixteen people compete in a mysterious game to inherit a millionaire's fortune by solving clues and uncovering secrets.

The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd A boy uses his mathematical mind to solve the disappearance of his cousin from a pod on the London Eye Ferris wheel.

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart Four gifted children infiltrate a suspicious institution and use their unique abilities to stop a criminal mastermind.

📚 Author Blue Balliett worked as a teacher at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools for ten years, the same school where children's literature legend Roald Dahl once taught. 🏆 Hold Fast was named a Booklist Editors' Choice Book and received the Chicago Public Library's 21st Century Award. 🔍 The book weaves in real elements of Chicago's homeless crisis, with the author conducting extensive research by visiting shelters and interviewing homeless families. 📖 Throughout the story, there are numerous references to the works of poet Langston Hughes, whose writings play a crucial role in the main character Pearl's life and the overall mystery. 🏛️ The story features the real Harold Washington Library Center in Chicago, and many of the details about its architecture and history are accurate, including its famous gargoyles and grand staircases.