Almost Home [Paperback]

Newbery Honor winner Joan Bauer's new novel will touch your heart

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.Close to Famous: Winner of the ALA Schneider Family Book Award, Christopher Award, Judy Lopez Memorial Prize, An Amazon Top Ten Middle Grade Book, a YALSA/ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults pick;Hope Was Here:Newbery Honor Book, Christopher Award, ALA Notable Book;Rules of the Road:Los Angeles Times Book Prize, Golden Kite Award, ALA Notable Book, Best Book for Young Adults.Joan Bauer has won critical acclaim for her many books, which include the Newbery Honor BookHope Was Hereas well asRules of the Road, winner of theLos Angeles TimesBook Prize andClose to Famous, winner of the Schneider Family Book Award, the Christopher Medal, and the Judy Lopez Memorial Prize. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.I had a long night. I kept getting out of bed and walking through the house, remembering when we moved here after Reba and Mr. Leeland got divorced the first time. I was in second grade, and King Cole and Reba scraped together all they had and bought this house together. We were so proud to have our own little place. We painted the front door emerald green. It wasn’t the best paint job, but I remember going through that door and feeling my life was fresh and new and all the shadows from Mr. Leeland’s gambling were l“ä