When we classify books one category that is mentioned is contemporary realism. Shelter by Christie Matheson is a perfect example of this genre. This book is filled with contemporary references - mobile phones, people texting in cars and causing terrible accidents, street libraries, and "mindful" school classes.
The setting for this story is San Francisco but I don't think you need to know specifically about this city to understand that there are rich and poor areas; heritage homes; new constructions of apartment buildings; and rising real estate prices. This is also a city, like all cities, of rich and poor. People so poor they have become homeless - some who live on the street and others lucky enough to find, even if it is temporary, a place to say in a shelter.
"There are lots of different kinds of shelters, I've learned. Some are just for grown-ups, some are for men only, some are for kids who've run away from home, and some are only for families with kids. ... But even if you add up all the beds and all the rooms, there aren't enough shelters for the thousands of homeless people in San Francisco."
Christie Matheson sets things up in this book so as a reader you just know dreadful things are going to happen to Maya and this is extra bad because she and her family have already endured so much. Dad has been in a terrible accident riding his bike. He was hit by a car driven by some one using a mobile phone. Mum has no job because she needed to stay home with little sister Gabby. Gabby is one of those kids with extreme life-threatening food allergies. The family only just have enough money each week but now dad is in a coma in hospital, mum has no job and the owner of the home they rent has decided to sell. Maya, Gabby and their mother now find themselves living in a shelter.
When they left their home, Maya could only take the things she could carry. In her school back pack she has a precious toy, some favourite books (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory; Anne of Green Gables; Charlotte's Web; Ghost; and Wonder), a small amount of money ($17.32) and a precious letter from her dad written before the accident. Maya keeps her pack close at all times. She doesn't even use her school locker. At school Maya is regularly targeted by one girl - Sloane. In a scene that I am sure will linger with me, Sloane takes Maya's precious pack, she steals the contents and dumps the pack in a huge puddle. The writing of this scene is so powerful I just gasped in shock. Thank goodness for Maya's wonderful friend Abby and for wise teachers. Ms Sherman should win teacher of the year!
Here are a few text quotes:
"Because on that Friday afternoon he was hit by a car. Witnesses said that the driver of the car was looking at his phone and that he ran a red light and sped through an intersection. There's a reason why you're not supposed to text and drive. You could kill someone. Or almost kill someone."
"A golden birthday happens when the age you're turning matches the day of the month - turning eight on the eighth or twelve on the twelfth. ... My real golden birthday is coming up in March. I'll be eleven on March 11. ... More than anything I just wish I could have dinner with my whole family. And Abby too. At home."
"I know I'm not the only kid in this city who goes to school hungry. Maybe at my school most kids have plenty to eat."
My only tiny criticism of this book is the way Christie Matheson includes the usual cliche about bullies by explaining the utterly horrid behaviour of Sloane as an act of jealousy. For all her money, possessions and mansion-like house, Sloane is jealous that Maya has a family while hers is utterly dysfunctional. I was so angry with Sloane this 'easy' motivation felt too simplistic.
Brings a pressing national crisis into clear focus for young readers; highly recommended. Kirkus
Christie Matheson is the author of these picture books:
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