Ellen Hopkins writes such hard-hitting YA books that cover tough subjects and she does it so well. "Closer to Nowhere" is no exception! This is written for a younger crowd (middle-grade and up) and it fits the bill.
We follow Hannah and her cousin Calvin. Calvin's father is imprisoned shortly after Calvin's mother dies, so Hannah's mother (Calvin's Aunt) take him in in order to avoid Calvin being put in "the system". Calvin is plagued with sometimes erratic behavior and nightmares related to the trauma he has experienced at the hands of his dad and with the death of his beloved mother. Hannah finds it hard to relate to Calvin and views him as an annoyance and an embarrassment at school. When Hannah and Calvin's home life threatens to implode, Hannah and Calvin must come together to help save their family and to better understand each other.

This was a sad, yet heartwarming book and it feels very appropriate for the age group. The author's note at the end really takes the book to a deeper meaning. Hopkins writes in her normal style (in verse) and it makes this book easy and quick to read. For every happy and normal childhood out there, there is a troubled one and I'm glad that authors like Hopkins write for the troubled kids so maybe they can also lose themselves in a book and find something relatable.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers group for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Hannah’s mom is a twin. When her aunt dies of cancer, her cousin Cal comes to live with her near perfect family. His life has been completely unlike hers. Hannah knows this, but not many of the details. Cal overreacts when he gets upset. He plays pranks that Hannah doesn’t appreciate. Her parents are struggling with alL the changes and arguing all the time. When Cal’s father is released from jail, everything comes to a head..told in verse, this novel is compassionate and empathy building. This will be a window for many students to learn about homelessness and survival. I will definitely be purchasing this book for my middle school library.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

A heart-warming story in verse of struggle and unconditional love based for a child with challenging behaviors based on the author's life experience. Hannah hates that her cousin Cal is living with her family. He's ruining everything with her parents' relationship and her gymnastics competitions, not to mention that he's impossible to trust. Readers will start to loathe Cal because of his lying, running away, pranks, and talking back. But once we learn about his backstory and the pain he's feeling from having an abusive dad who is now in jail and an addict mom who died of leukemia, we begin to feel compassion for him. Now his stories seem less like lies and more like imaginative ways for him to deal with his life. Just when Cal becomes more likable to Hannah, too, his father arrives at school armed with weapons...I couldn't put this story down; it's a rich, nuanced story about family, love, and empathy.

This is a good book for anyone looking for complicated dynamics, kids dealing with PTSD, and books that feature cousins.

A few places did fall flat for me. Cal's change in behavior is rather quick, and while the book makes it clear he's in therapy, we don't see any of those sessions and Cal only mention the therapist a couple of times. It's clear at the end he's still struggling, though not as much, but there is a big shift that wasn't supported by the text. There was also a conversation about privilege that included nothing about race, and I don't see how you can talk about privilege and not talk about race.

The story moved well, the voices were clear and distinct, and this will do well with readers who like novels in verse and emotional stories.

This book is very applicable to what teens are experiencing. Hannah and Cal don’t really like each other, and struggle with the opinions of others. As cousins, and living in the same house, it is very hard for them to get along. The end of the book was surprising and well done.

Sometimes books come along that are not only special, but essential. This is definitely one of those books.

Told in alternating viewpoints between cousins Hannah and Cal, this novel in verse is easy to read and touches on several very important issues. The characters in this are relatable and kids are going to find a lot of humor and heartbreak in this one.

There are some definite trigger warnings: violence/abuse discussed, school lock-down, alcoholism, PTSD. But everything is handled very appropriately. I don't think any library would be disappointed in adding this their collection, but I think you would be missing out if you don't. Buy it!

Thank you to NetGalley for a digital ARC of this book. This story of cousins Cal and Hannah covers the bases of living with/living with a young person with PTSD from severe childhood trauma. Since this book is for middle grade readers it is not graphic in details, but slowly reveals more and more about Cal's past and the multiple traumas he has faced. It does not sugarcoat the difficulties of dealing with the behaviors that can be exhibited by someone in his situation and the effects it can have on family, friends (or more appropriately, lack thereof), classmates, teachers, etc. as well as for the children themselves. Not knowing how the physical book will look size-wise, my only concern is the length may prevent some students from picking it up, even though the novel-in-verse format tends to make a book appear longer. This will be a definite purchase for my library.

Closer to Nowhere couldn't come at a better time. With so many children living in isolation because of the pandemic and without their normal supports from the community and schools, we face a greater number of kids dealing with trauma. Written from two perspectives, the reader weaves back and forth between the family whose lives are forever changed when they take in an orphaned cousin and inside the mind of this cousin who suffers from post traumatic stress disorder.. Hannah was an only child living with adoring parents. Then her cousin Cal moves in after his mother's death and fathers imprisonment. He throws fits; he lies; he disappears for hours at a time. Hannah resents Cal, and her parents won't reveal details about his past that could help her understand Cal better. As the characters evolve, the reader is left with a greater awareness that we never know what other people are going through and the need for empathy, support, and compassion for others. It does take the first few poems to distinguish the voices. This book will be on my library shelves!

A wonderful novel in verse told by two teens, each dealing with their own transitions and grief. The author used much of her own experience caring for her daughter and grandchildren to inform the character dealing with PTSD and behavioral issues. The book would be a great school read emphasizing self awarenss, empathy, surviving grief, and making friendships.

Beautifully written. Important voice.

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for giving me the opportunity to read Closer to Nowhere.

Hannah and Cal are cousins that have been living together since Cal's mother died. It explores the family relationships that exist. It is told in verse.

I haven't read Ellen Hopkins and I'm not a big reader of middle grade. I typically enjoy books in verse only audibly. This book is fantastic. I have have several family members who are at this age and they are all getting a copy once it is released. I am pressing it into the hands of every person who can appreciate middle grade.

I was shocked at how well I know the characters since it is written in verse. I was really drawn in to their story and having it in verse did not detract from it at all.

Please pick up this book for anyone who loves a great middle great story.

I received an electronic ARC from PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group through NetGalley.
Told through various styles of poetry by alternating narrators. Family dynamics change when Hannah's cousin, Cal, joins their family of three. Readers see her perspective first as she struggles to accept this change. Cal has been living with them for over a year. He lost his mother to cancer and had been with his dad. Throughout the book, he slowly reveals the horrors of his life both before and after his mom died from cancer. He has severe trust issues and suffers from PTSD (again, revealed as the story progresses). The whole family structure fractures and readers see the real time effects of past generations abuse. The culminating event shows Cal's leadership skills and offers him the courage to share a real event from his past.
Hopkins again creates a powerful story that draws readers in to the darker worlds some of our children inhabit. The contrast between Hannah and Cal's lives offers readers the chance to think about their own environments and gain understanding for others.

Triggers - Physical and emotional abuse. Shared in the past tense. School lockdown and shooting.

llen Hopkins is known for writing unflinchingly about tough subjects in many teen novels in verse. As a teen, I remember picking up her chunky books at the library and reading them out of sight of my younger sisters so they wouldn't pick them up and start reading them. With Closer to Nowhere, Hopkins gives us a story that isn't near as graphic as her previous books, but still delivers a story that focuses on how tough life can be and what we do to survive certain situations.

Cousins Cal and Hannah may have one thing in common--their mothers were twin sisters. Other than that, their worlds couldn't be more different...until Cal moves in with Hannah's family after his mom passes away. All of a sudden Hannah's world is changed, as is Cal's. Hannah has never had a problem making friends at school or getting good grades, but Cal is a different story and rightfully so. He has never had an easy life and the loss of his mother exacerbates the emotional and behavioral ways he responds to life around him.

Like its predecessors, this book is told in verse, which gives it somewhat of a gentler feel than a typical book. However, some tough subjects are brought up, such as Cal's dad and his past, and how kids at school treat Cal, and they land just as powerfully as they would in any other narrative. Both Cal and Hannah voice their experiences in alternating parts, and I really appreciated how as a reader, I was able to get both of their perspectives and see how something Cal did might make Hannah angry, but he was only acting out of his past lived experiences.

I think this is an important book for tweens and teens to pick up and read, as it gives a glimpse into the life of a somewhat privileged girl alongside that of a boy who has had more negative life experiences than good, and how these differences shape their view of life and how they react to different situations. This short book is very eye-opening and informative without being too serious, and will keep readers engaged throughout the entire story.

Review of a Digital Advance Reading Copy

Will be recommending this book at our Fall book talks. I do not usually read books written in verse, but this one sounded interesting. The story is dark and complex yet the author wrote in a way that made this gut wrenching story a fast and fascinating read. I enjoyed that it was written in two voices. I would recommend it to individuals 4th grade and up.

Essential reading for students to help them understand their classmates or feel less alone. I love that it is in verse with perspectives of both characters. It deals with trauma very gently.

Sorry, you lost me at saying social studies is boring, Cal.

But on a serious note, I loved this book. Ellen Hopkins’s middle grade debut—also a novel in verse—is utterly captivating.

Told in the dual perspectives of Cal and Hannah, it’s the story of how these two children’s lives change when Cal’s mom dies and he goes to live with his aunt and uncle (and cousin Hannah), because he dad is in prison. It’s not an easy transition: Cal has issues as a result of abuse that make life difficult for everyone involved.

There is so much heart on these pages. Hopkins tells us that her family’s own experiences with drug abuse helped shape the narrative and she has created such a believable portrait of a family in crisis. The voices of Cal and Hannah are also well drawn and the reader is clearly pulled into the emotions of both. This book feels authentic: it’s not all roses and light once Cal moves in. Though his aunt is his biggest fan and he’s finally feeling safe,, Hannah wrestles with not wanting him there and his behaviors threaten to tear the family apart.

Highly recommended.

Thank you to Penguin Young Readers and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this copy in exchange for a review.

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for sharing this book with me in exchange for an honest review. I DEVOURED this novel in verse. I loved the way Ellen Hopkins showed the struggle Hannah has with Cal and how she changes when she learns his story. This is a powerful story of family, understanding, and standing up for yourself. I cannot express my love for this book enough and will definitely have a copy in my classroom for my students.

*Received an E-ARC through Netgalley for an honest review*
This is Ellen Hopkins first middle grade book, and I was beyond excited to read it. This book didn't disappoint. Another well written novel in verse that addresses hard-hitting issues that kids deal with frequently in life. The story is told in alternating points of view between two cousins, Hannah and Cal. The two middle school cousins are learning to deal with their worlds being upheaved and learning to adjust while dealing with the angst of middle school years. Cal struggles to deal with his mother's death and father's incarceration while living in Hannah's family home. There's so much packed in this middle grade novel and Hopkins is able to deal with it well without making it feel overly heavy for a middle grade reader.

Another fantastic read from Ellen Hopkins!! I was so excited to pick up a middle grade novel from her, and she did not disappoint. “Closer to Nowhere” follows two tween cousins who are dealing with grief, PTSD, and the woes of middle school.

I loved the formats of Cal and Hannah’s chapters. The definition headers were super fun, and Fact or Fiction in Cal’s were perfect for his character. Anytime he dreamt up a new story I would eat it up, the kid really is talented. Hopkins did such a great job portraying these two kids and their thought processes. I felt for Cal so much and just wanted to hug him.

I would recommend this book for any middle grade readers, as well as teens and adults. It’s a quick read and covers such important topics for kiddos.

What I love about this novel-in-verse is the dual perspective between Hannah and Cal. Hannah is the popular girl at school, she has friends, a loving family, and there's nothing really wrong with her life until Cal moves in with her. Cal is her cousin and he's known for having episodes at school when he is stressed out and/or bullied. No one really hangs out with him, and he often keeps to himself. However, when he is at "home" with Hannah and her family he loves to prank Hannah on the regular. Sadly, Hannah's father cannot believe Cal is living with them and every time he gets in trouble at school or there is an issue the father hides no emotion. Throughout the story we see how Hannah despises Cal and how she hardly knows who he is and exactly what his childhood was like living with his mother and partially with his father. Cal has had a traumatic life with death of his mother, the incarceration of his drug addicted father, PTSD, and his homelessness on the streets with his terrible Uncle. Over time, Hannah learns more and more about Cal and why he reacts the way he does. Even when Cal goes missing when he realizes that he is the reason why Hannah's dad wants to "have some space" away from Hannah's mom. The two realize that they are more alike than they originally believed. The ending in particular was very special!

This was absolutely beautiful. Hopkins writes about the real-life truths that surround families: incarceration, blended families, abuse, death, addiction, & more. Some I connect with myself too. Another outstanding novel-in-verse for middle grade readers!

Some scars can’t be seen, yet they can’t be hidden. Ellen Hopkins’ middle grade debut, CLOSER TO NOWHERE (10/6/20), is a heart wrenching story of family, trauma, compassion, and acceptance. Hannah is less than thrilled to have her cousin, Cal, living in her house. Cal loves to tell farfetched stories and is responsible for some irritating pranks. Alternating in verse between the two character’s perspectives, readers will have a thorough look at their family dynamic and how it evolves as secrets and hard truths are revealed that call for gentleness, patience, and empathy. Hopkins’ beautiful words are poignant, inquisitive, and capture a multitude of emotions as Cal and Hannah struggle in their own way. It was powerful to go beyond the surface of Cal’s demeanor and I admired Hannah’s changing attitude. CLOSER TO NOWHERE is a gripping story of understanding and healing that reminds us we are all worthy of love.