Sometimes it is hard to put ourselves in a position to understand other's grief and troubles - even when they move into our house. Hannah's life is everything she wants - supportive parents, good friends and a talent in gymnastics. When her cousin Cal's mother dies and his father goes to prison - he moves into Hannah's home.

This story is told in verse with alternating perspectives of the two main characters. Both voices are honest and funny - this story could not be told from one perspective as they both need to learn to love each other for who they are.

This was a very touching and yet heartbreaking story. Told in alternating perspectives, Cal and Hannah are cousins who live together. Cal has been living there since his mother died of cancer and has father has been in prison. The two navigate middle school together, as Cal struggles with PTSD and Hannah struggles with family tensions and trying to understand her cousin.

I have never read anything by Ellen Hopkins before and I was blown away. This story was thoughtful told, with both characters having very distinct voices. I really rooted for both of them. This was a small story, but really got into what it means to move past trauma and the importance of family. I highly recommend this book, and will be recommending to middle schoolers looking for a great story about family.

I love Ellen Hopkin’s YA work and was thrilled at her debut middle school offering. She did not disappoint. While this book lacked some of the complexity and grit Hopkins is known for, the straight forward style will be appreciated by tween readers and the story hits hard. Hopkins shoots from the hip and doesn’t lie to kids and they can tell. This story has echoes of the author’s own life so it resonates with the reader. I’m sure my students who enjoy K.A. Holt will take to this.

With alternating perspectives the main characters, cousins Hannah and Cal, tell the story of family. Their family is not typical and the reader is able to witness Hannah's developing understanding of this. There is real trauma in the family's past. This book show how that trauma has long reaching and effects, not only on the victim, but on all the members of the family. Hopkins is careful to show how each person handles those effects.
What I liked about the book was how the at times heavy, emotional, and all-too-real issues are made accessible to the reader. We are shown what happened, but Hopkins does not dwell on the details. It is effective to introduce the difficult scenarios that, though unfortunately realistic, would be frightening to young readers. Yet it gives those readers who have experienced trauma in their lives, a character to connect with (Cal).
Some of the events felt rushed and a resolved a little too quickly. I also think the that some of the characters (Uncle Bruce and Grandma) need to be fleshed out and developed more to have more of the desired impact on the story.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3362383663

What I liked: the realistic family dynamics; the first-person dual narrators; the focus on how problematic behavior can stem from traumatic experiences; the verse format; the pacing (Hopkins is always a pro at keeping readers turning pages)

What I thought could have been better: Cal had more insight into his own behavior problems than I thought would be likely (sounded like a mouthpiece for the author at times); the attempt to explain "privilege" at one point in the novel did not work well for me (because I'm uncomfortable with any definition of privilege that leaves out race, since that's such a big part of privilege in this country); although I enjoyed the verse format, the poetry isn't all that poetic (also typical of Hopkins)

Verdict: I think kids will like this, and I think the focus on the struggle with behavior issues due to trauma will be relatable for many kids and informative for others.

I really enjoyed this book. A large part of that is because of Cal- I absolutely loved his character. I also liked how the book was organized into the two POVs (Hannah with her definitions and Cal with his Fact or Fiction?). That seemed to add even more definition to the characters. Ellen Hopkins is a great verse writer, and this book was no exception. This was definitely more of a character driven story, rather than plot driven. But the characters were so well developed and the dynamics so interesting that I nearly read the whole book in one sitting.

I am always in search of quality novels in verse. This one has made my list. The way that Cal is able to voice his emotions (in print, not in real life) is superb. This book gives readers an inside look into what some children with PTSD may be feeling/thinking. Hannah's understanding of her cousin Cal is realistic and heartwarming as she grows emotionally throughout this book.

Thanks to @NetGalley for allowing me to read #Closer to Nowhere. Ellen Hopkins first middle grade novel in verse will not disappoint! So many topics for kids and their families to release to. An absent father in prision, addiction in many family members, PTSD from years of abuse and the impacts of those on friendships and families. Cal is a very strong willed character who is looking for so many things in life-fitting in, acceptance and love. You'll remember Cal for a long time.

Hannah's life is turned upside down when her cousin Cal comes to live with her family. Told in free verse and alternating perspectives (Hannah and Cal), the reader gets to see both sides of a very complicated family situation.

This novel in verse details the experiences of cousins Cal and Hannah when Cal moves in with Hannah's family after his mother dies and his abusive, unstable dad is in jail. Cal has PTSD from his father's abuse and displays many problematic behaviors, like running away during conflicts or pulling endless pranks on Hannah, and Hannah resents his presence for putting an increased strain on her parent's already rocky marriage. Throw in a resentful grandmother who never forgave Cal's mom for dropping out of college to marry Cal's dad and you've got quite the dysfunctional family.

Cal and Hannah are both realistic, sympathetic protagonists. Cal, based on Hopkins's own grandson, provides an honest look at a child with PTSD and the family's different coping methods with Cal's arrival and his emotional baggage also ring true. The book reads like prose, yet the spare free-verse style make it a quick read. The narrative offers a believable adjustment arc for the family and a satisfying, if not exactly happy, ending. There is a school shooter scene at the end of the book that, even though readers don't directly see any violence, that may be more upsetting for some readers than the rest of the story. That scene felt a little forced, possibly due to the current prevalence of school shootings, but it does further the narrative. Overall, a well-done story. 10 to 14.

I've been an Ellen Hopkins fan for a long time and have most of her books at my high school library. I'm so excited she's finally written one that is appropriate for my entire middle school population as well. I know there are students with backgrounds similar to Cal as well as those still in the precarious situation. It's a great book for those students to see themselves but also good for their classmates to see why people sometimes behave the way they do and how to deal with it with sensitivity.

In true Ellen Hopkins spirit, this book takes on big topics in a way that is approachable and real for the middle grade reader. The voices and situations are authentic and provide a view into the lives of young people and families dealing with great challenges.

Although Cal and Hannah’s mothers are twins, that’s about as far as their similarities go. Or so they think.

Hannah’s world is full of love and support. She excels in school, is perhaps the most popular girl in class, and is on her way to become an Olympic gymnast. Cal, on the other hand, comes from pain and heartache. After the death of his mother and the incarceration of his father, Cal comes to live with Hannah’s family and, while he isn’t unintelligent, he struggles to fit in, is often bullied, and tells elaborate stories that often keep him in trouble at school and at home. Cal’s insertion into Hannah’s world becomes unbearable for her at times, especially when she notices her once happy parents are fighting more and more often. However, when Hannah begins to learn more about Cal’s life, and how he ended up as part of her family, her hard heart starts to soften and she sees the reason behind Cal’s erratic behavior and shenanigans, and, once she begins to drop her shield, she realizes they are more alike than she ever dreamed possible.

Ellen Hopkins is simply a master of free verse novels. She has an unbelievable talent to create and deliver powerful stories with only a few words on the page. I’ve read several of her other books and am always astounded that I never feel as though the story is lacking, and the same goes for her latest novel, Closer to Nowhere.

This book is perfect for a middle school audience, allowing for great discussion and examination of the lives of the characters. Although tough topics are included, Hopkins doesn’t overwhelm her reader, but she also doesn’t soften the seriousness of what, for many, is reality. This happens to include Hopkins herself, as she adds a note at the end of the book explaining she was inspired to tell this story from events in her personal life.

I simply adore Ellen Hopkins and everything she writes. I keep waiting for the book that turns me off, doesn’t feel authentic, can’t stand up to her others, but I’ve yet to find it. If you haven’t experienced her yet, I’d highly recommend you add her free verse novels to your TBR pile and see what you’ve been missing.

Amazing story, Cal and Hannah are very relatable characters for today's kids. I appreciate they way Ms. Hopkins lays out a story, not always giving all the details or background on each character upfront. This story will engage our students and provide great discussion on empathy, understanding and judging others in situations. As with all of her stories it is rooted in real life, this is going to be a great middle grade read. It had me laughing and feeling sorry for Cal and Hannah and finally wanting to cry as the story hits home with a lot of our kids. Great story written in verse, from both main characters perspectives and wonderful ending.