A Song Called Home: A Contemporary Middle Grade Novel of Family, Music, and Change for Kids (Ages 8-12)

A Song Called Home: A Contemporary Middle Grade Novel of Family, Music, and Change for Kids (Ages 8-12)

From award-winning author Sara Zarr comes a story of the small moments that show us who we are, and how family is not just something you’re part of, but something you make. Lou and her family don’t have much, but for Lou it's enough. Mom. Her sister, Casey. Their apartment in the city. Her best friend, Beth. It would be better if Dad could stop drinking and be there for her and Casey, and if they didn't have to worry about money all the time. But Lou doesn’t need better—she only needs enough. What’s enough for Lou, however, is not enough for Mom. Steve, Mom's boyfriend, isn’t a bad guy, he's just…not what Lou is used to. And now, he and Mom are getting married, and that means moving. Packing up life as they’ve known it and storing it in Steve’s garage. Lou will be separated from everything in her small but predictable life, farther from Dad than ever. Their last night in the city, Lou receives a mysterious birthday gift: A guitar, left for her by their front door. There’s nothing saying who left it, but it must be from Dad. And as she leaves the only place she’s ever known, she starts to believe that if she can learn how to play it, maybe she can bring a piece of him, and of her old life, home. Gr 5-8-Fifth grader Louisa (Lou) Emerson struggles with her alcoholic father's departure from her family. Left to help her pick up the pieces is her older sister, Casey, who is either on her phone or angry most of the time. To complicate life even further, her mother is engaged to a man named Steve, who Lou isn't even sure she likes. On her birthday, a guitar mysteriously appears outside her apartment door. Convinced it's from her father, Lou is determined to learn to play it. As her emotions spiral out of control, she begins to steal things; little things that remind her that she still does have some power. On the day of her mother's wedding, Lou's dad shows up uninvited and intoxicated. Frustrated that she can't even hold a normal conversation with her transient father, and with attending a new school close to Steve's house, Lou's stealing ramps up and ends up hurting someone very dear to her. Things start to look up when she meets a neighbor who can teach her to play the guitar in time for the school talent show. As her playing improves, Lou is certain that when her dad hears her perform in the talent show, things will be better. VERDICT This coming-of-age novel tackles issues of alcohol dependence, stealing, puberty, divorce, and step-families. A solid addition to middle grade shelves.-Tracy Cronceα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. "A Song Called Home is the kind of middle grade novel I adore: warm and deeply honest with characters so real you could touch them. Lou's struggles with family, friends, and big life changes are relatable, heartbreaking, and vividly drawn—trademarks of Sara Zarr's exquisite writing. This story will stick with me for years to come."  - Brandy Colbert, award-winning author of The Only Black Girls in Town "Sara Zarr's debut novel for middle grade readers is beautiful, honest, and bursting with hope--a powerful story about growing up, weathering change, and creating the family you need." - Kate Messner, author of Chirp and Breakout " A Song Called Home is tender, powerful, and deeply true. Zarr's beautiful and precise rendering of family life is transcendent, and in Lu we have an unforgettable main character whose humanity and coming of age is compassionately explored. Over and over again this story made my heart simply soar." - Corey Ann Haydu, author of Eventown and One Jar of Magic "This is a novel filled with the terrific joys of real life--as well as its disappointments. It is a novel about broken families, about healing families, and about completely new and surprising families. And above all, it is a novel that dares us all to hope." - Gary Schmidt, Newbery Honor-winning author of Okay for Now "Like the mysterious guitar left at Lou's door, A Song Called Home is the perfect gift to reassure readers that home isn't so much a place as it is a space in our hearts that we make with those we love." - Jo Knowles, author of Where the Heart Is and See You At Harry's "Achingly authentic." - New York Times "An exceptional, emotionally honest portrait of a tween navigating a blended family." - Publishers Weekly (starred review) "This coming-of-age novel tackles issues of alcohol dependence, stealing, puberty, divorce, and step-families. A solid addition to middle grade shelves." - School Library Journal "Zarr’s middle-grade debut about family, friendship, and belonging is heartwarming, uplifting, and wonderfully real. Highly recommended." - Booklist (starred review) "A tender, honest, and beautifully written story about family, faith, and friendship." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Sara Zarr is the author of six acclaimed novels for young adults, including Story of a Girl ,  The Lucy Va