“If a stranger peeked in the window right now, they’d think our family dynamics were working just fine.” But for Hannah and Cal nothing is as it seems. This novel-in-verse is brilliantly told in two alternating perspectives. Hannah is trying to cope with her cousin, Cal who moves in with her family after his mom dies. He has a lot of baggage and seems to be the reason her parents are fighting. Living with Hannah, is no picnic for Cal either. He doesn’t want to be a charity case and tries to fit in. However, no one appreciates his sense of humor and his pranks. Both of which are defense mechanisms designed to push people away. 
Sadly, I think many of our students will be able to relate to the characters and situations in this beautiful story of empathy, family, and understanding as they try and find their place in this world. I can’t wait to share this book with my students.

Another home run by Ellen Hopkins. This is an amazing book that is based on a true story of the author’s grandson.

I am so sorry that I cannot do a review. I read this book for consideration for the Schneider Award. While I am allowed to give starred reviews, I cannot give analysis reviews. But thank you for allowing me the chance to read it!

Closer to Nowhere by Ellen Hopkins provides a unique view about different families. This book can help students to see that all families are not perfect as sometimes portrayed in books, movies, and television. It also showcases the differences that families are and the struggles that siblings and family members may have with each other. The two perspectives the story is told from provides a unique look at situations from two different sides of the stories. Recommended for grades 6-9

An uplifting middle grade novel written in verse. Two cousins must now live together after an unfortunate tragedy.  Told from each cousin's perspective, the writing draws you in and keeps you reading, wondering how they will navigate the ups and downs to keep the family together.

While the structure of the book felt a little forced initially, I did enjoy the contrasting points of view and the characters' personalities. An interesting look into how childhood trauma has lifelong effects on kids. I will pass it on to my students.

The following review was posted on my blog (www.blogginboutbooks.com) on 12.26.20:

Hannah Lincoln's life has always been safe and stable.  The 12-year-old has two caring parents, plenty of friends, and a love of gymnastics and dancing that sustains her.  Her cousin, Cal Pace, has had the opposite experience.  His mother died three years ago leaving him with his drug-addicted father.  His chaotic home life ended with his dad going to prison and Cal coming to live with the Lincolns.  Hannah's childhood has given her confidence and balance.  Cal's has left him with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  

Hannah gets that her cousin's been through a lot, but she can't help feeling resentful of his sudden presence in her life.  Cal acts strangely and has serious anger management issues.  Not only is he bullied at school, but his behavior is causing contention in Hannah's home.  She's trying to be patient and understanding, but Hannah feels like her nice, quiet life is spinning out of control.  Will her family ever go back to normal?  Or will Cal's antics tear them apart for good?

Told in verse, Ellen Hopkins' first novel for middle-grade readers tells a poignant story about two cousins with very different life experiences trying to find common ground.  Closer to Nowhere is a quick read that's realistic and relatable.  Based on the author's own experience, the story paints a vivid, sympathetic picture of how addiction impacts not just the addict but his/her whole family.  While Closer to Nowhere deals with tough subjects, overall it's a hopeful book.  I've enjoyed other books by Hopkins and this one is no exception.  It's a heart-wrenching, empathy-inducing novel that spoke to me.

(Readalikes:  Reminds me a little of Christmas After All by Kathryn Lasky)

Grade:  B

If this were a movie, it would be rated:  PG for violence and difficult subject matter (drug abuse, alcoholism, divorce, school shootings, etc.)

To the FTC, with love:  I received an e-ARC of Closer to Nowhere from the generous folks at Penguin Random House via those at NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you!

This is a solid, emotionally compelling and highly appealing book that deals with some serious issues in a middle-grade friendly manner. Written in alternating view points in verse, students who find triggers in Cal's story will be able to pace themselves and find the comfort in knowing they aren't alone. Cal has been raised in an environment with abuse and drug-use, but now his family is staying with cousin Hannah and her family. Cal is dealing with PTSD, not only because of his father's mistreatment of him, but also due to his mother's death from cancer. He is struggling with his emotions, and often acts out because of this. While this could completely upend Hannah's life, which revolves around her gymnastics meets, she is compassionate as she tries to understand his behavior and be empathetic. Not everything is automatically solved here, including a visiting grandmother with drinking problems of her own, and Cal continues to struggle with issues such as running away and his father's desire to have a relationship with him. In the end, though, he has support he desperately needs in Hannah and his aunt Taryn, which helps him handle the crises he faces. Well-written and emotionally engrossing, this one will appeal to many middle-grade readers.

This book is written in reverse and switches the perspectives of the main characters, cousins Hannah and Cal. Hannah and Cal could not be more opposite: Hannah is the popular girl with two loving parents and dedicated to her dance and gymnastics, but Cal is kind of a loner, who loves to read, pulls pranks, and has an odd sense of humor. For Hannah, everything changes when Cal has to move in with Hannah and her parents due to unfortunate circumstance with the death of his mom and his dad out of the picture. Now, there is more tension at home and embarrassment at school because Cal is suffering from the effects of early events in his childhood. 
This is a touching narrative of two disparate young people who learn to live together despite a rough start when they realize they have more things in common than they thought. Ellen Hopkins does a great job in distinguishing between the two characters' voices where Hannah's chapters begin with definitions to words that set the theme of the chapter and Cal's chapters beginning with 'Fact or Fiction,' which provides insights on his experiences as well as how others perceive his experiences especially when it comes to Cal's use of hyperbole. The voices of each narrator is distinct and Hopkins creates characters who are flawed, funny, and aggravating. Though the topic of addiction, PTSD, and domestic violence are difficult to write about, Hopkins does an excellent job in explaining each without being pandering to readers or losing the voice of the young narrators.

Books with multiple points of view can be an effective way of showing young readers different perspectives of the same events, and many kids seek out books like this,  Closer to Nowhere does a fantastic job of giving both Cal and Hannah realistic, true voices, and helps the reader empathize with both kids. After his mom’s death, three years of instability with his father (now incarcerated), Cal is living with his aunt (his mom’s identical twin), cousin Hannah, and uncle, who avoids interacting with him.  As he learns how to cope with PTSD and missing his mom, Hannah learns how to make room in her once-perfect life, recognize her own privilege, and think about others more than herself,  Throughout the story, Hannah and Cal learn that they have more in common than they ever expected, and dealing with uncertainties is better with a system of support. 
This review may seem somewhat generic, but there are many tough topics covered in this book, and revealing too much feels like spoiling the story. We do learn about the adverse experiences Cal has experienced, and when his father is released from jail, there are definitely some tense moments. But, this is a middle-grade book, a safe space for readers to explore topics that might be worrisome or frightening while giving them the best tools: courage and hope.

Ellen Hopkins is truly such a talented writer. Once again, she delivers a rich plot laided with descriptive vocabulary and a voice so strong that you can get into the characters' minds. The setting is built so well, and makes you feel like you're living alongside the characters as you read. It really delved into deep issues and trauma without patronizing young readers and did so in a really realistic way. I think this book could be helpful for children navigating new familial situations and handling trauma, as a way to see they are not alone.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book.  At first the verse format bugged me, and I struggled with reading it.  I also had a hard time telling the two voices apart at first, and would have to read back a little bit if names weren't mentioned.  However, about a quarter of the way into the book things began to fit together.

The story is told by the perspectives of Elizabeth and Cal, who are cousins who live in the same home and are in the same class at school.  Cal has these moments when he flips out and loses control, and Elizabeth is the opposite- in control, good at gymnastics, dance and school.  

I truly loved Cal throughout the story, Elizabeth was fine- but I didn't have the emotional link with her that I did with Cal.  He had been through so much that was said in the book, and even more trauma was hinted at. The ending- no spoilers, but I genuinely found myself worried about what was going to happen!

Highly recommend!  
Five stars because my minor issues aren't worthy of downgrading.

Closer to Nowhere is a beautiful journey of growth and coping through the eyes of 2 children.  It is an illustration of how circumstances can lead to the people we become.  Hannah has lived a life of privilege.  Cal has encountered hardships that no child should.  They are family and forced together.  The book is written in verse and chapters bounce between these two narrators, with a surprisingly cool “Fact or Fiction” and “Definition’ format. As the story unfolds, we are given glimpses of what has transpired to create these two characters.  The focus naturally goes to Cal as the ‘troubled’ child, but the nuances of Hannah and her character development are just as compelling.
This story would be great for anyone who has been touched be addiction or abuse; or for anyone who has not been touched by it.  As a work of children’s fiction it serves as both a mirror and a window.  The reader can see someone similar, while also seeing and experiencing a completely different point of view. Kudos, Ms. Hopkins.

Hannah and Cal don’t get along. Hannah is used to how things were with just her mom and dad living in one house. When Cal and his mom, Hannah’s aunt, have to move in so Hannah’s mom can take care of her sick twin sister, Hannah’s life is flipped upside-down. Her parents are fighting more often, her dad is hardly home, everything bad that happens at school or at her gymnastic and dance practices seem to always involve Cal. Cal didn’t choose to move here, but after his mom died and a failed attempt at living with his father, Cal seems to be stuck with Hannah’s family for the moment. He tries to make it the best, but sometimes the buzzing in his head gets to be too much and he just lashes out. That always seems to happen at the worst moments. When Hannah’s family starts to fall apart, Cal blames himself. Can Cal and Hannah figure out a way to get along and save their family before it tears apart forever?

Ellen Hopkins is just making her debut in middle grade fiction with the novel Closer to Nowhere. Told in alternating view-points, Hopkins’ young adult novels dealt with difficult topics like drugs, alcohol, and abuse, often inspired by things that happened in her own life. Her middle grade novel captures the essence of her original style, but makes these difficult topics easier to understand and relate to for the younger child. The reader’s heart will break for Cal and Hannah as they combat family dynamics, death of a parent, PTSD, abuse, and divorce. Hopkins gives insight into difficult situations that many other writers shy away from. No matter your age, Closer to Nowhere, is a novel that everyone should read.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. But I liked it even more after I finished and read the author’s note. Working in a school and seeing students cope with trauma, I realize the values of having this book on the library shelf for all students to read.

Ellen Hopkin's middle grade debut does not disappoint. Just like her other books, this one was written with heart and empathy. Both main characters are believable and struggle in their own ways. There are no easy solutions. There are numerous obstacles. Above all, there is love and understanding. Hopkin's signature verse-style is especially accessible and the hints of a terrible past are just enough to get the point across without detracting. This is a great addition to middle school libraries!

In Hopkins' Closer to Nowhere, Hannah, an only child living with her two parents in their stable household worries only about her friends and leveling up in gymnastics.  That is until her cousin, Cal, moves in after subsequent tragedies of his mother's death and his father's recent incarceration.  Cal is a lot.  He melts down, he makes up fantastical stories and he takes off when things overwhelm him.  The new family dynamic is taking a toll on Hannah's family.

The way Hopkins sympathetically portrays Cal makes it evident that she is a mother.  The aunt, Taryn, loves Cal like every kid hopes to be loved.  She goes to bat for the kid time and again, for reasons the rest of the family doesn't understand,  At first, I didn't like Hannah very much.  She seemed very petty and reactive to Cal each time something happened.  I was glad to see so much growth of her character, as she realizes why Cal is the way he is.    The grandwitch was the perfect "villain" for the two to unite to take on.

I very much enjoys books in verse, as do my students.  Some of my reluctant readers might be adverse to picking up such a lengthy read, but because of the way it's written they would be much more inclined to try it.  This story reminds me as someone in the classroom the importance of connection with our kiddos, especially the Cals.

As an avid Ellen Hopkins reader, I find it hard to rate this book given that it’s her first middle-grade book and it’s not a genre I’m very familiar with. I personally couldn’t connect with the characters but I can appreciate that some kids (and, interestingly, even her own) can relate to the experiences of Hannah and Cal, but it just wasn’t relatable enough for me. It did get very interesting near the end, but for at least the first half of the book I was frustrated with these characters’ behaviour. Cal at least was interesting given his PTSD and current struggles, but Hannah annoyed me. I know she technically turns her attitude around at the end, but I still wouldn’t say she has many redeeming qualities. I would perhaps have like the gymnastics to have a more prominent role in the book (rather than just making her appear privileged, spoiled, and popular). I obviously still loved Hopkin’s writing and I’m confident this book will be enjoyed by the target age group, but unfortunately I just love Hopkins for her grit which was lacking here.

This review is based on an advanced readers copy.

I enjoyed this book whole heartedly. It touched on deep issues without patronizing young audiences, and it gave light to a subject not often tackled in young literature. I think this book will help educated young kids about why some kids act a certain way and hopefully bring about empty that is severely lacking in their generation.

This book is told in verse, alternating between the perspectives of two cousins who are the same age but have grown up in very different families. Cal's mother has recently died and his father is in prison so he moves in with Hannah's family. Hannah does not understand Cal's behavior and is having difficulty with the changes that are happening with her family. The characters are engaging and realistic. The book explores some difficult topics and is also a heartfelt story about family in which two cousins grow to understand each other.