I wish I had more books like this when I was a middle grade reader. I've found so many, now as an adult, that I think would have truly inspired me. And among the best are the ones that make me forget I'm reading middle grade. The alternating view points and the character development hooked me right in. This was the first book I've read b Ellen Hopkins, but it won't be my last.

This novel, written in verse, focuses on two cousins dealing with trauma. Cal’s mom is Hannah’s mom’s twin sister, and she recently died of cancer. The story gives us a window into Cal & Hannah’s thoughts and feelings, and the format is perfect. This book will touch you and may even bring you to tears. It is a fabulous middle-grade book that adults and students will fall in love with.

I found this book to be gorgeous. As a youth librarian I am always looking for good novels in verse to share with young readers who appreciate that style/format. I think the emotional themes and heaviness in this novel is handled beautifully, and the struggles and connections between the main characters hit hard for me even as an adult reader. I appreciated the alternating perspectives; both voices came through strongly. Hopkins handled the themes with sensitivity but did not shy away from letting the characters fully experience challenges. I can already imagine the thoughtful young readers I would hand this book to.

Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for giving me an advanced copy of this book to read and review.

Ellen Hopkins does it again! I have loved her free verse style, and refusal to avoid difficult topics, since I first picked up Crank back in the early 2000's, so I eagerly awaited getting my hands on a copy of Closer to Nowhere. And I was not disappointed!

This book has my whole heart. I will read anything Ellen Hopkins writes, and this one for middle schoolers definitely stands up to my expectations.

I read this book a long time ago and do not remember enough for an official review. I did purchase it for my librayr.

Sweet story. Heartbreaking at times. Two young kids who are trying to understand some hard facts of life. One has had his mom taken away by a horrible disease. Then abused by his father and uncle. The other is struggling to understand why her cousin is the way he is. And why are her parents being so mean to each other. Why can’t they just go back to the way they were. Before Cal moved in?

Hannah is happy with her life, but things have been upended ever since her mother's twin sister, Caryn, died of cancer. Her cousin, Cal, lived with his father for a while, but his father used drugs and was abusive. When he went to jail, Cal ended up with Hannah's family. Suffering from PTSD, Cal's behavior can be erratic, and he sometimes runs away or has screaming fits. Hannah's mother tells her that this is Cal's way of coping, and that these things helped him survive, so she tries to be understanding, even when Cal's behaviors interferes with her gymnastic competition. It doesn't help that Cal occasionally embellishes the truth, or that her classmates think he's a little "weird", but Hannah understands enough about Cal's background to try to be supportive. When Hannah's grandmother visits for Thanksgiving, things go badly awry. Her grandmother had an epic falling out with Caryn before her death and never reconciled with her, so she is grieving especially hard. She is unkind to Cal, and has nothing good to say about his father, particularly since Caryn dropped out of college to marry him. Cal finds out from his aunt, Taryn, that his uncle Bruce is going to be moving out, and he blames himself, since Bruce seems to have trouble with him being in the household. Cal is hungry, so heads toward a soup kitchen where he knows he can get a meal. There, he runs into a classmate, Brylee, who is working there. Brylee's parents are divorced, and she tells Cal that he can't think it is his fault. Cal heads towards home and gets picked up by a police officer. He's wary at first, but the officer turns out to be very supportive. There are a few consequences when he gets home, but everyone except for the grandmother understands why he ran away. When Cal's father is released from prison and wants visitation rights, Cal is not happy. Things were very bad with his father, and he is settling into life with Hannah and her family. Will he be able to hold on to this situation?

Cal is an aspiring writer who came to live with Hannah's family two years ago. His life up until now has been filled with neglect and abuse from his parents. As a result, he now suffers from PTSD and makes him defensive. This peculiar behavior at school makes him a target for bullying. To cope, he sees life in a "fact or fiction" type of style. Hannah is a gymnast and dance who long for stability and attention. Together, the two share a mean-spirited, alcoholic grandmother. More practical, Hannah likes to write poems about her "emotional and physically privileged" childhood. As the story climaxes and problems come to a head, can the two learn to empathize and connect? The plot is well-written and told in verse. The characters are engaging and the author does a great job of helping readers to see things through the other characters' perspectives. This story is relevant and will make a good addition to collections where such topics are popular.

Sad but hopeful story told in verse about young man who's mother recently died, and who's father is in prison. Realistic portrayals of all characters involved; the aunt, uncle and cousin who take the boy into their home, and the boy himself. I found it to be genuine, and the author includes an Epilogue that explains the story is somewhat based on personal experience. This is evident in the realistic portrayals and storyline. This was a fast read and would appeal to middle grade and young adult readers.

Ellen Hopkins does not disappoint in her middle grade debut. The characters are likable, faults and all. Family issues are explored with realistic responses from all -- kids and adults. I didn't want the story to end and I hope Hopkins continues to write for this audience.

“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.