Jessica Blank does a great job portraying life on the streets in her book, Almost Home. In this book, seven teens share their stories and experiences on the street and talk about how the got there.
Eeyore is just twelve years old when she runs away from home. Hiding a secret of awful things happening in her privileged home, she is also forced to deal with embarrassment and torture at school. After being humiliated by some girls in the parking lot she meets Tracy. Tracy takes Eeyore under her wing and lets her hang out with her. But Eeyore soon finds herself without Tracy and running with a new crowd, Critter and Squid. Squid is the protector of them all and is trying to make them into their own little street family. When they meet up with Rusty, who ran away to LA to be with his teacher, they form a strong bond together. Then comes Scabius, who creates a little friction in the group and quickly becomes Critter’s best friend and sending Eeyore fleeing. When Tracy pops into the picture, Critter quickly dismisses Scabius for her, claiming that he is in love. The last one on the scene, Laura, quickly bonds with Tracy and attempts to take her away from all the bad.
Tracy is the link that holds all these kids together. She has relationships with each of them and often has to take care of one of them. She is the most damaged from being on the streets but in the end, she helps Eeyore overcome her fears and go back to her home, determined to tell her father the secret she has been hiding.
This book is great for anyone ages 16 and older.