No Fixed Address

Felix Knuttson and his mother Astrid live in a Westfalia van in Vancouver, moving between parking spots to avoid detection. The 12-year-old maintains the secret of their homelessness while attending school and pursuing his dream of competing on a junior quiz show. Felix navigates friendships and academic life while managing the daily challenges of living in a van. His mother cycles through jobs and relationships as Felix tries to create stability and normalcy in their unpredictable situation. At school, Felix bonds with fellow students over his knowledge of trivia and his wit, all while keeping his housing situation hidden. The quiz show opportunity represents more than just a chance at prize money - it becomes a potential path toward changing their circumstances. The story explores family dynamics, economic instability, and the weight of secrets through Felix's experiences. Through his perspective, readers encounter questions about resilience, trust, and the true meaning of home.

Readers emphasize the book's balanced handling of serious topics like poverty and homelessness while maintaining humor through Felix's perspective. Many reviewers connect with Felix's voice and his relationship with his mother. Readers appreciated: - Realistic portrayal of hidden homelessness - Felix's resilience without being overly tragic - Accurate middle-grade voice and humor - Educational value for young readers about economic insecurity Common criticisms: - Some found the game show subplot unrealistic - A few noted the mother's character could be frustrating - Several mentioned the resolution felt too neat Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (6,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (230+ ratings) One reader noted: "It handles difficult subject matter with grace and authenticity." Another commented: "The game show ending stretched credibility, but the core story about family struggle rings true." School Library Journal called it "A timely addition addressing housing insecurity and poverty."

Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt A sixth-grade girl with dyslexia learns to overcome her learning differences with help from an understanding teacher, mirroring the themes of resilience in difficult circumstances.

The Benefits of Being an Octopus by Ann Braden A seventh-grade student living in poverty cares for her siblings while navigating social class divisions and finding her voice, echoing the economic struggles and family dynamics.

Front Desk by Kelly Yang A young girl helps manage her immigrant parents' motel while dealing with poverty and discrimination, sharing themes of housing insecurity and family perseverance.

Almost Home by Joan Bauer A twelve-year-old girl faces homelessness with her mother and uses her poetry writing to cope with their circumstances, reflecting similar themes of displacement and creative resilience.

Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate A boy's imaginary friend returns when his family faces homelessness and food insecurity, exploring parallel themes of economic hardship and childhood coping mechanisms.

🏠 Like Felix, author Susin Nielsen experienced housing insecurity in her youth, living in numerous apartments and dealing with financial hardship, which helped shape her authentic portrayal of Felix's situation. 📊 Over 35,000 people in Canada experience homelessness on any given night, with families making up 13.7% of the homeless population – similar to Felix and Astrid's situation. 🎲 The trivia game show "Who, What, Where, When" featured in the book was inspired by real Canadian quiz show "Reach for the Top," which has been running since 1961. 🎭 Before writing novels, Nielsen wrote for popular TV shows including "Degrassi Junior High" and "Ready or Not," both of which dealt with realistic issues facing young people. 📚 The book won multiple awards, including the 2019 Red Cedar Book Award and the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children's Book Award, and has been translated into several languages.