Almost Home by Joan Bauer

Almost Home Reviews

• 
  Liviania

  Let's all take a moment to appreciate the cover of ALMOST HOME. First, and most importantly, the adorable puppy. But it's appropriate for the intended audience without alienating crossover audiences. It could be the cover of a women's fiction or chick-lit novel as easily as a middle-grade one. Classy.
  
  Now, the blurb and press release had me running for the hills. A girl named Sugar Mae Cole becomes homeless and goes into foster care with her rescue dog Shush? It sounds like a recipe for a treacly after-school special. Luckily for ALMOST HOME, I adore Joan Bauer. HOPE WAS HERE and RULES OF THE ROAD are two old favorites. I was willing to give ALMOST HOME a chance because I trust Bauer.
  
  Anyone else who has read Bauer will recognize her stamp on ALMOST HOME. The cheerful heroine who excels at surviving her unprivileged environment - check. A heroine who works despite her youth - check. A colorful and encouraging supporting cast - check. Sugar and her mother are going through a tough time, but they manage to get the help they need and encounter mostly friends. It works because the book is intended for a younger audience and Bauer has the characters acknowledge that things could be much worse (ending up dead on the streets worse) and that Sugar has it pretty good despite her homelessness.
  
  Sugar is a touch more precious than Bauer's other heroines. She mails people thank you notes, for instance. She also believes that Shush was put on Earth to help people . . . which I'll give her, since that's obviously the purpose of dogs. I'll also admit to skipping over some of the poetry she writes exploring her feelings. It's a good outlet for a twelve-year-old girl, but the sentiments are almost too raw. (Bauer does nail a voice for the poetry that sounds like a talented young girl rather than an experienced author.)
  
  Despite the age neutrality of the cover, I felt a little too old for ALMOST HOME. But I think it's a great way to introduce kids to the reality that some of their classmates might be facing or to comfort other children that there are people in the system who care and they will find a home eventually. It's a sweet, optimistic novel tackling a tough subject.
• 
  Kelsey

  "Once, long ago, a girl lost her home, but she didn't lose her dream. She hung onto it as the wind kept trying to blow it away, But that just made it stronger." The genre of Almost Home is Realistic Fiction. I absolutely loved this book!
  The setting takes place in Missouri and then in Chicago. Sugar and her mom, Reba have to get out of their house by Friday because Reba can't pay the mortgage on the house. Sugar's grandfather, King Cole, dies and Sugar still thinks about him and writes many poems. Before the Friday they have to leave, Sugar gets a dog called Shush. She got him because when she was waiting for her mom outside a store, a girl came up to her and handed her the dog. The girl gave Shush to Sugar because she couldn't have him anymore. Sugar makes a phone call to Grace Place, a place where you go if you lose your house, and asks the lady if they could go there and the lady says yes. When the Friday comes, Sugar, Shush, and Reba are practically thrown outta the house. Then the trio goes to Grace Place and stays there for some time. Sugar and her mom, including Shush, leave to Chicago. They go there because Reba says that they can start over. So there they are in Chicago and Sugar is in a library emailing her 'former' teacher Mr. Bennett. Then Shush jumps outta a green bag that Sugar put him in, because a man opened the bag. Sugar and Shush get kicked out of the library. Later on, Reba has a severe depression incident and has to go to a mental hospital. Sugar and shush on the other hand go to a group house, but then Sugar leaves it. Sugar meets a lady, Dana Wood who tells Sugar what her mom has. The reason Reba had a severe depression incident was because she didn't get the job she wanted so badly and worked so hard for. Sugar meets Lexie and Mac, who take her in. Sugar stays with them and gets new clothes and visits her mother often. Dana Wood asks Sugar to tell her more about Reba and she does. Sugar meets Mr. Cockburn who asks her to walk his dog, Merlin, so Sugar does. He pays her $10. Sugar meets Joonie, a girl with a cat named Butterbutt, Heather, her mom, and her brother Chandler. Later on, Sugar gets two more dogs, Puffypoo and Greg. Meanwhile, Reba gets moves to a shelter and starts to get better. Lexie and Sugar go to a candy shop and then a couple days after, Mr. Leeland comes. Reba is happy to see him, but Sugar is not. Mr. Leeland comes and he goes, but then he comes back. Reba gets a job at the candy shop and then Mr. Leeland comes back, but he comes back, drunk. Reba gives him a talking to and then throws him out saying that he needs to be sober to see her and Sugar again. At the end, Sugar attends a new school and who knows what happens after?
  I thought the ending of Almost Home was almost NOT an ending. I mean the ending didn't really give me what I wanted as an ending. At the end of the book it says, "You can decide to start over and let other people start over, too. Every morning Reba tells me, "You go out there, Miss Sugar, and show' em what it means to be sweet." "Yes, ma'am, I will." It's a natural gift that I have. The ending was sweet but I thought it would end a little better. I was angry when Mr. Leeland comes back to Sugar and Reba. The text says, " That's when a silver car drives up the street, and a hand waves from the window. My heart catches in my throat as Mr. Leeland gets out holding a big teddy bear and a box of chocolates, looking handsome like a movie star. " Well Miss Sugar. Aren't you a sight for sore eyes?" I don't say anything, I can't say anything. Mr. Leeland walks right up to the porch. "Well, I've had better greetings, I'll tell you what." *What do you want from me?* I want to run, but it's like my legs have turned to stone. "Who's that?" Chandler asks me. I look down. "This is Mr. Leeland, my father." I was furious that Sugar's father had come back even though he gambled and drank and had left them, he still had the guts to even come back and make FAKE promises to Sugar and Reba! That's MESSED UP.
  One of my favorite poems written by Sugar is as follows from the text, " ALMOST HOME by Sugar Mae Cole Home isn't always a place you picture in your mind With furniture and cookies and music playing and people laughing. Home is something you can carry around like a dream And let it grow in your heart until you're ready for it. Losing things helps you appreciate when you find them again And finding things gives you hope that when you lose things It might not be forever. Once, long ago, a girl lost her home, but she didn't lose her dream. She held onto it as the wind kept trying to blow it away, But that just made it stronger. So now she has keys and walls of many colors And people around her who think she's something." This was a touching and heartfelt poem made by Sugar that was the absolute truth about what her life is/was like. I had predicted that Almost Home was going to be about a homeless puppy but it turned out that Almost Home was about a girl, named Sugar, who loses her home. In the story it says, "I pulled down my window shade and crawled into bed. Where in the world could we find a new place to live in two weeks?"
  In conclusion, Almost Home was a great read! I would rate this book 5/5 stars because I loved the touching poems Sugar wrote throughout the book and the amazing story. I'm glad that Sugar and Reba and Shush got to live with Joonie. Helen, and Chandler, and their pet Butterbutt. Overall I would recommend this book to people who love heartfelt stories. So now after reading my book review, I hope the next time you see someone unhappy give them a smile, nod, or anything to say "Everything is going to be A-Okay!" ☺️
• 
  Kate

  2.5
  Summary From Goodreads:
  When twelve-year-old Sugar's grandfather dies and her gambling father takes off yet again, Sugar and her mother lose their home in Missouri. They head to Chicago for a fresh start, only to discover that fresh starts aren't so easy to come by for the homeless. Nevertheless, Sugar's mother has taught her to be grateful no matter what, so Sugar does her best. With the help of a rescue dog, Shush; a foster family; a supportive teacher; a love of poetry; and her own grace and good humor, Sugar comes to understand that while she can't control the hand life deals her, she can control how she responds.
  Plot:
  To be honest, I was pretty much bored this entire book. I kept waiting and waiting for something exciting to happen, but it never came. Everything was predictable, and nothing made me gasp or snort in surprise. Towards the end, I just started skimming. Goodness gracious I always do that on books that make me the least bit bored. It's such a terrible habit. Anyways, going into this book, I was expecting it to be extremely sad, given it was marked "tear-jerker of the month". Besides the fact that she moved homes a lot and her mom fell ill, it wasn't really sad at all. In fact, I was pretty much sighing at the LACK of feels. Also, the writing style is very simple, and is way to young for middle graders or young adults.
  Characters:
  I can't really deny that I've taken a liking to some of these characters. First of all, I loved seeing Sugar's relationship with her teacher, Mr. B. It was fascinating how she opened up and spilled her heart to him, including her amazing poetry. Also, I'm a sucker for dogs. Shush, her pup, was beyond adorable. However, I though that Shush would have a bigger role in the book. From what I picked up, Shish didn't have a huge contribution to the plot. Anyways, i didn't dislike Sugar, but she wasn't my favorite. She obviously didn't have much depth to her, so I obviously couldn't properly connect with her.
  Overall & Recommendations:
  Even though it was immensely boring, I still enjoyed the homeless aspects to it. I also really liked some of the characters. I think this cute, fluffy story is perfect for elementary readers.
  Memorable Quotes:
  “Almost.
  It’s a big word for me.
  I feel it everywhere.
  Almost home.
  Almost happy.
  Almost changed.
  Almost, but not quite.
  Not yet.
  Soon, maybe.
  I’m hoping hard for that.”
  
  "You know what it's like to move from being happy to being not? It's like swinging as high as you can and someone stops you as you come back down.”
  
  "'Everyone alive has good parts and bad parts to them. Some people work hard to develop the good parts, and others work hard on the bad. I think we can respect a person's potential—what they could be—but we don't have to like it if they're acting the wrong way. So you know what I mean?'
  'Like they've got good things inside they don't know how to get at?'
  'That's right—they're in a locked drawer.'
  'And they can't find a key.'"
  
  “You're going to fall down in this life—everybody dies. But you be the kind of person who doesn't stay down for long. Get back on your feet and keep going no matter what.”
  
  "It's not fair, but sometimes a kid has to act older than their age. You just pray hard to know what to do.”
• 
  Linda Lipko

  Don't let the cover full you! There is nothing over the top fluffy about the tale of a spunky, spirited, scared twelve year old whose father is a jerk and whose mother needs the jerk in her life more than needing to provide stability for her daughter.
  
  There is nothing soft and fuzzy about a mother who is emotionally, mentally unstable and whose actions lead to homelessness for herself and her daughter.
  
  Highly recommended. This is a poignant, honest look at how very strong young children can be under incredible adversity.
  
  I also love the fact that the author provided a strong role model in a sixth grade teacher who cared deeply. There is a great message here about the power of teachers to shape lives.
  
  The writing is wonderful and emotion laden.
• 
  Chalice

  A lovely feel-good story, with wholesome characters, honest struggles that overflows into poetry, and I think this classifies as found family. 💛
• 
  marcy marshall

  Do you like to read heart warming book's? If so this is a prefect book for you ,that will have you running for a box of tissues. This is a realistic fiction and a heart warming story that will touch your heart .
  *** spoiler alert ***
  This story takes place in Missouri and Chicago and the reason why it takes place in two different setting is because sugar who is the main character first lived in Missouri in the beginning of the story then sugar became homeless and moved to Chicago to have a fresh start. This story is about a young twelve year old girl named Sugar who is just like you and me living a normal life until (conflict) Sugar's whole life turns up side down sugar finds out that her grandfather is dead, and her gambling father is gone again . Sugar and her mother lose their home in Missouri and set off to Chicago to have a fresh start, then they realize it is very hard to have a fresh start when you are homeless. Sugar is not allowed to complain because her mother taught her better than that ,and to be grateful no matter what. Later on in the story sugar has to take care for her mother because she could no longer take care of sugar and she has a breakdown because she can't afford to live in their home which is located in Missouri. Later on in the story sugar finds support from a rescue dog named Susha and a foster family that took her in and her mother. Also the support from her loving teacher and her poetry that she wrote all her thoughts in it and how being homeless changed her life. The resolution of the story even though sugar keeps being positive no matter what she does the author Joan Bauer leaves us with the feeling that things will not be perfect for sugar in other words there was no resolution to sugars problem and being homeless.
  
  
  In my opinion I feel very sad for sugar because she has so much on her plate being so young and having to take care of your mother ,losing your grandfather, having no father by your side, and still there being no resolution to this heartbreaking story .I feel really sad for her if this was me I don't know what I would do I will probably lose my mind I just don't understand how sugar could handle it all at once and not having one breakdown or throwing a fit sugar must have been a very strong and brave young girl to have to handle all of this at the age of twelve .Me and Sugar are the same age and I am NOT even that mentally strong to be able to handle this if all of this was my conflict.
  
  
  In my opinion I think that sugars mother should have been more stronger than that and should have not had a break down I know that it must have been hard for her to lose her house but a young girl shouldn't have to take care of her mother it should be the other way around. I mean think about it to put all that pressure on one little girl I wonder what she must have been going through I mean her mother told her not to complain but having a breakdown is just like complaining and feeling sorry and not being grateful just as she told sugar to be grateful no matter what happened she is not even listening to her own tips but still I do feel sorry for her mother because being a mother must have been hard to say that she couldn't afford a house and couldn't care for your daughter it must have been really hard for her.
  
  I would rate this book a five because it was really interesting to hear the story of sugar and her life being homeless it kind of puts me in her respective thinking about what if that was me also I would rate it a five because it had everything I was looking for it was very details and never bored me and I love to read heartwarming stories but the only thing I wish is that sugar could have got her house back I mean I don't like sad endings other than that I love the story and would recommend it to anyone who likes to read sad but interesting books I highly recommend almost home .
• 
  Amelia

  I don't even know where to begin. Almost Home made me laugh, cry, think, laugh, cry and think all over again. It's a fairly lite version of homelessness which suits a middle grade audience but is still poignant for all that. Although I like my poetry a little more sparse and sharp edged I nevertheless want to share some of Sugar's words with you:
  
  "I wouldn't dare shout out my dreams because they're too young to be out on their own. "
  
  "My mother is in a locked place
  It's not just a door that locks,
  It's in her mind and heart."
  
  "'See, you're cute beyond words, you're a very good hugger, and even though you had a hard time, you're still brave. Most of the time... There's a peacock in you,' I mention."
  
  "When the worst thing that can happen has come and gone
  And you're still standing,
  Remember that you won."
  
  "Once, we collected cans of soup for Mr B's class. Funny, I always thought that homeless people were somebody else. "
  
  "Fireflies would perch on her hand and stay there for the longest time. 'You glow, little one,' she'd whisper to them."
  
  I think Sugar is the true firefly. She's warm and loving, tries to mother both her mother and her dog and tries to bring sunshine into people's lives. She and her mother have this game they play where they write thank you cards for ridiculous situations but she practices this in her real life as well. She finds gratitude in the smallest things and it's so moving.
• 
  Becky

  Even though this one has a dog on the cover, I knew I had to read it because it is Joan Bauer. I trust Bauer. I do. I trust her books to be good if not great. Almost Home did not disappoint. It was a compelling read, an emotional one. For the heroine, Sugar Mae Cole, goes through some tough things. She's such a wonderful, lovable heroine. I loved the fact that writing was one of the ways she coped, loved to see her writing and sharing poetry, loved the fact that she was able to stay connected with her sixth grade teacher, Mr. Bennett, during her struggles. Since her grandfather died (loved reading her memories of him), things have not been easy for Sugar and her mom, they've been struggling with their finances for most of the year, and finally the worst happens: they lose their home. Readers don't often get to see glimpses of homeless life, of life in and out of shelters, though sometimes readers get a glimpse of life for kids in foster homes, but we get to see a bit of both in this one. (For after one last big disappointment, Sugar does end up in foster care.)
  
  I thought the writing was amazing. I just loved it. And I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the characterization. This one is RICH in minor characters which is always a bonus. I would definitely recommend this one....even if you don't trust dog books.
• 
  Linda

  I just finished Blue Balliett’s Hold Fast, and have read One for The Murphy’s by Linda Mullahy Hunt, a favorite last year. This book by Joan Bauer is another treasure about being homeless, so much to share about the feelings and experiences one has that I hadn’t thought about. When Sugar, the main character, is told to “go out there and set the world on fire”, she replies, “Yes, ma’am, I will.” but further thoughts reveal more: “Every time she said it, I felt a little candle trying to light in my heart. It’s hard to light a candle in the wind.” The book is filled with exquisite scenes, as Sugar makes her way through her troubled time, and thank goodness, finally in a loving foster home setting. There is so much to enjoy in this book despite the underlying sorrow. There is a loving and smart mother who can’t seem to make good choices and a passed-on grandfather who has written a book of ‘how-to’ live life. The Grandfather’s book Bauer creates, and shares parts of, could be a little book of advice for anyone, but this time, the words are what Sugar clings to as she faces so many challenges. It’s a terrific read!
• 
  Kate C

  I loved Almost Home. It is about a girl named Sugar, her mom, Reba, and her dog, Shush. They are homeless and Reba is very depressed. They go through many hard struggles. Will they get through these hard times, and find a home? I liked this book because it was very inspirational. I did not like this book because it was sad at some parts. Throughout this book, it made me feel sad, happy, and scared. People who like sad but inspirational books would like this book. This book reminded me of Echo.
• 
  CrazedCryptid

  It is a short and super wholesome read! I highly recommend it!
• 
  Audrey

  I loved it! It was a pretty much perfect book. I started it and finished it in one night. The poetry was really good and I loved the characters!
  
  Sugar Mae Cole was so awesome. She was really nice to everyone even though she was homeless, her dad was an alcoholic, and her mom was having mental problems, she was so sweet(and I don't usually use that word, but I feel like it is the only way to describe her) to everyone she meets. I loved the notes she wrote to people. It was kind of funny when she wrote notes to people she didn't like and signed off, Yours very truly, Sugar Mae Cole.
  
  To me, her voice made her seem younger than 6th grade, but she was very mature. She had some really great quotes and I'm kind of sad I didn't write them down. I loved the theme of the book, which was about hope and new beginnings.
  
  This book is so good. It's like one of those books you want to read forever. I hope she doesn't write a sequel because it ended perfectly and I think this book would be hard to follow up.
  
  I'd recommend this for anyone 11 and up because adults can enjoy it too. Younger kids may not get the whole book as some of the themes are a little mature.
  
  Ok, so this book is going down as one of my favorite books of all time. It is just perfection! So go check it out and see what I mean!
• 
  Annie Oosterwyk

  This is the moving and powerful story of a young girl with everything stacked against her. Sugar and her mother become homeless as a result of her father's gambling and her mother's enabling behavior. Her father disappears (as usual) and she and her mother move to Chicago following a "promised" job offer.
  This story proves how hard it is to get back on your feet once you've hit rock bottom. Sugar is put in foster care when her mother is sent to the hospital. Both of them begin the process of healing, with it's cycle of blame and forgiveness and lessons learned.
  The stray that Sugar has adopted proves crucial to the story and shows the healing power of unconditional love that animals provide.
  This could be a good read aloud for upper elementary, especially good for showing resilience in the face of adversity.
• 
  Michelle

  This was a well written book which addresses a lot of life issues. It's a great book for middle school kids to read as it deals with homelessness, alcoholism and drugs - with honesty. The way Sugar feels about her homelessness is very tangible, and the way she overcomes her adversity is uplifting. I appreciated her use of language and poetry and the important role that her teacher played in her life - even when Sugar moved away and attended a different school. There are a lot of touching parts in the book which are realistic. The main character Sugar is likeable and handles difficult situations while continuing to encourage her mother who suffers a nervous breakdown. The themes and messages in this book are good for all ages!
• 
  Maggie

  Bauer does not shy away from tough topics. Listened to this one and found it caught my interest from the very beginning and held it throughout. I tried to imagine myself reading this aloud to a class - would have to be very aware of who students are and situations they are facing. This goes beyond homelessness. Some very positive, memorable pieces throughout. I absolutely love the main character, 12 year-old, Sugar. And what's not to love about a puppy named SHHH.
• 
  Brookie ✳ Cookie ✳

  This book is probably my favorite of all time, partly because Alyssa and I read it together and we were both obsessed with it. :)
• 
  Hailey

  I have tried to read this book multiple times, but I kept putting it down before I finished it. I'm glad that I did because it was pretty good. There was one problem that I had with it but it wasn't a really big deal. As I was reading there were some very important moments the effected the story a lot, but they always went by so fast. An example would be, she was reunited with someone but the entrance consist of a few sentences that were not informing at all.
  I honestly would have enjoyed the entrance of this character more if it was a chapter by itself, because, for the whole book, the main character was talking about how terrible this person was and when they were introduced to the story, it took the suspense out of it.
  Besides that, I enjoyed the book. I loved reading the main characters poems. I also liked the rivalry between the mother and the person who took the main character in. Overall the book was way better than I thought it was going to be.
  
• 
  Gina

  Decent light read. Predictable story but heartwarming.
• 
  rue mortensen

  i read this when i was like- 12? i remember really liking it though (:
• 
  Jimena Montemolin

  I rated this book a 5 out of 5 for many reasons. first, I loved how Joan Bauer described everything in detail. I also loved how she came up with such a peculiar character like sugar. and the fact that she added the dog to the story makes it even better. I love the relationship that sugar had with the dog and how they went through everything together. that Is my overall explanation of why I rated this book a 5 out of 5.
• 
  Marianne

  A solid 4.25 stars! What a lovely, wholesome story of hope and home. For me, that was the most important theme in this book- home is where the heart is. And, Sugar's heart- the noun and the verb- represent the soul of this story. Although Sugar is a fictional character, I happen to believe that children have an innate ability to see the best in people and situations and this was a shining example of that! I don't always enjoy reading my son's summer reading. This time, I enjoyed AND learned the importance of holding onto hope.
• 
  Pages For Thoughts

  Sugar is just as sweet as her name. She has a desire to make the world become as sweet as she is, and Sugar demonstrates qualities of compassion and empathy for others, as well as a very clear insight to life. She writes poems in every chapter, putting words to her pain and observations. Sugar is twelve years old, and she is able to articulate the ignorance of others and the reality of situations. She has a gift for seeing the world for what it really is. Sugar is as sweet as an angel, and inspires children and adults to be kind to everybody. Read my full review at
  http://pagesforthoughts.blogspot.com/...
• 
  Teresa Garrett

  A book about homelessness from the veiw point of a 6th grader who unexpectedly find herself in this predicament. Could be paired with: Also Known as Harper, How To Steal A Dog, Waiting For Normal, Dicey's Song, Hound Dog True, and Keeping Safe the Stars. Not finished reading more to come later. I love Sugar's voice and the fact that she uses writing as an escape from her homelessness.
  
  Sugar is handed a blow when she and her mother find themselves homeless. Things go from bad to worse quickly as Sugar's mom, Reba, is hospitalized for depression leaving Sugar alone in Chicago with no support or help in sight. Sugar and her dog, Shush, finally land in a promising foster home but Sugar worries she is liking her foster family too much and hopes Reba will recover and they can be reunited. Add to the mix an extremely unreliable father and Sugar has more on her plate than most 12 year olds. She handles a lot of the stress with her acts of graciousness she learned from Reba and narrating her story through a series of poems.
  
  When this book is released in Sept. you should rush out and read it!
• 
  Bethe

  what a great lesson for younger readers to make the best of your situation, and having a dog doesn't hurt! Heartwarming big smile at the end. Sugar Mae is sassy and mostly strong, wise beyond her years, stepping up when her mother is falling down. Favorite quote from pg. 160: "I've learned something about sadness this last year, sometimes the best thing you can do is just sit with someone who is hurting, you don't have to say anything or offer advice, you just sit there. I think dogs understand this better than people." !! The poetry is great (mentor text) recommend to fans of "One for the Murphys" and "How to Steal a Dog".
• 
  Deirdre

  Oh. My. God. If there were ever a time NOT to judge a book by its cover, this would be it. I stared at the painfully girly puppy on this book for weeks, dreading what I might find on its pages. It turns out, Almost Home made me cry more than I care to admit, and my heart soared for Sugar Mae Cole, the deserving protagonist. Bauer takes on homelessness and family dysfunction like no other, and I think anyone can see at least a little of themselves in one or two characters. Reba, Sugar's mom, is hard not to forgive, but it wouldn't be a YA novel without at least one absentee parent, right? Despite its disgustingly cute cover, Almost Home will be a book I will recommend to all of my readers.