Paper Things

When their guardian becomes too controlling, 11-year-old Ari and her older brother Gage leave to live independently on the streets of Portland, Maine. Ari must balance her schoolwork and friends while keeping her homelessness a secret, all while moving between temporary shelters and friends' couches with Gage. Ari clings to her paper doll collection cut from furniture catalogs as a source of comfort and escape during this turbulent time. She holds onto her dream of getting into a competitive middle school arts program, even as basic survival becomes increasingly challenging. Through Ari's story, the novel explores family bonds, the impact of housing insecurity on children, and the power of art and imagination as coping mechanisms. The narrative puts a human face on youth homelessness while highlighting the strength required to maintain hope and dignity in difficult circumstances.

Readers emphasize the book's realistic portrayal of childhood homelessness and its impact on education and daily life. Parents and teachers note it helps children understand housing insecurity through an accessible story. Positive reviews highlight: - Age-appropriate handling of serious topics - Strong sibling relationship dynamics - Main character's resilience and determination - Paper doll motif that connects to themes Common criticisms: - Some find the plot moves slowly - Adult characters' decisions frustrate readers - Several reviewers question if younger children can grasp all themes Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (180+ ratings) "Shows homelessness from a child's perspective without being preachy," notes one teacher reviewer on Goodreads. An Amazon reviewer writes, "My 11-year-old gained empathy for classmates in unstable housing situations." Some parent reviewers suggest the book works best as a read-along to discuss complex topics with children ages 9-12.

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🔖 Author Jennifer Richard Jacobson worked as a teacher and literacy specialist for many years, bringing authenticity to her portrayal of school life in the novel. 📚 The book tackles the issue of "hidden homelessness" - people who don't live on the streets but stay temporarily with friends or relatives, a situation affecting over 1.4 million students in U.S. schools. ✂️ The paper dolls that Ari creates throughout the story serve as both an escape and a connection to her deceased mother, reflecting a craft that was historically popular during the Great Depression when many families couldn't afford real toys. 🏆 Paper Things won the ILA Social Justice Literature Award and was selected as a Notable Children's Book in the field of Social Studies by the NCSS. 🏫 The story's depiction of Grace Middle School was inspired by King Middle School in Portland, Maine, where the author spent time observing students and teachers to create an authentic middle school environment.