Almost Home

Almost Home is an issue book, to be sure, in this case, teen homelessness, but it's also one of the best books I've ever read. Through these interconnected characters, Jessica Blank gives us an insight into the underground Los Angeles inhabited by runaways who find that the street is, or at least, seems to be, their only option. Staring with Eleanor, who becomes Elly and eventually Eeyore, we're drawn into this world. She's being abused at home, raped by her stepbrother, then taunted horribly at school. Blank starts off her book showing how simple it can be for a 12-year-old from a supposedly nice home to have to get way from it, and her infatuation with the older, seemingly cooler Tracy, who draws all the characters in the book toward her at some point or another, makes her decision that much easier. Her appearance changes right away; after shoplifting hair dye, she gets purple hair, and a homemade lip ring. Even after the story changes to Rusty, who's run away to be with his older male teacher who never quite makes it there, we're left wondering about Eeyore, whose fate is slowly revealed throughout the stories. Blank's words glide off the page, and she shows both how tough these teens have to be, and appear, to make it on the outskirts of society. She and her characters repeatedly contrast their dumpy surroundings, a series of alleys behind taco stands and donut shops, with the lush, rich hills and suburban trappings around them. The tension between what they have and what they want, their conflicting philosophies about what it takes to survive on the streets, gets played out in often painful ways between the characters, who only have each other to rely on but still struggle to be as independent as they can. Their jealousy over Eeyore's supposed home she can flee to, which eventually drives her from the group, is tragic yet understandable. Blank is to be commended for not skirting around the issues; she deals with homosexuality, abuse, poverty, loneliness, love, and friendship, and it's often in what her characters don't say that we see what they mean. Of her alienated schoolmates, Eeyore says early on, "I thought the whole point of being a misfit was you're always looking for the other people like you. Loneliness is like a vacuum; it's supposed to suck the other lonely people in like dust till finally it fills up and you're not lonely anymore." As harrowing as life on the streets is for her and the others, she decides over and over that it's less lonely and painful than what she faces at home. With beautiful prose that's insightful and moving, Blank ultra vividly exposes the faces of teen homelessness in voices that will resonate with teens and adults alike. This is a powerful, important book whose themes are dealt with with the utmost of compassion. Blank's world is one where these young people, who often seem so much wiser than their years, will do almost anything to survive. The community they form, as divisive as any set of teenage frie

As someone who works in the youth services field, "Almost Home" is an honest and raw account of young people who are forced to the streets. Jessica Blank artfully weaves the stories and reasons why seven different youth have come together in one very real world. Blank's passion for the issue of runaway and homeless youth comes across clearly in her author's note and through the resources she provides. A great story for young adult readers and and a must read for anyone who works regularly with youth.

this is a truly extraordinary book. the characters actually become real in your mind...like you could see any one of them on a street corner. this book changes the way we view teen homelessness. or maybe not changes it, but illumintes it in a whole new way. and you'd think with the subject matter it would be very depressing, but it isn't. it made me laugh (and cry) and was ultimately hopeful. this is an important book and one of the best books i have ever read. I read that BON JOVI is turning it into a movie. sure to be amazing!

Almost Home is a fabulous achievement filled with heart and oozing soul. Blank captures and illuminates, through simply beautiful prose, the struggles of youth, homelessness, rejection and the out of body existential angst of adolescence and beyond. Filled with wit, grace, empathy and great universal humanity, this book is must-read for anyone who has even felt like and outsider- a stranger born in a strange land. Well done!

this book is truly extraordinary. the writing is beautiful, edgy, articulate and honest, and the characters and story are the same. read it!!