This book is heartbreaking. I believe that it will be a great book to read for middle schoolers in hopes of creating a little empathy for children who are less fortunate.

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of this book

Although the topics and descriptions are heavy, they’re also pretty realistic. A lot of times authors and adults try to shield young audiences from harsh realities, but they end up figuring it out on their own and have a hard time processing it.
As usual, the kids in this story just want to protect their mom and help her survive in a world that keeps crushing them. They try to minimize their own needs as they watch her struggle to keep them together and create a fun world while doing it.
As an indigenous family, the mom has an amazing imagination and brings tribal culture to daily life in really fun and creative ways - such as imaginary bow hunting while grocery shopping!
This is a great book to discuss why some people have more than others, what that means about them as people and cultures and how we can all help support each other.
Looking forward to reading more by this author!

I really wanted to love this book, but it wasn't for me.
The older brother's character didn't fit in this story. The mother leaving the main character to "clean a man's house" was a disappointment to the book.

A beautiful Own Voices YA book about family, Ojibwe identity, and belonging, drawing on author James Bird's childhood experiences of housing instability.

Thanks to Net Galley and Feiwel & Friends for the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review!

So cute and worth every moment on my time. Hopeful that the book has a successful publication day! I also enjoyed the characters a lot!

This unvarnished look at a Native American family living out of their car is both saddening and uplifting. Opine and his brother MJ and mother live in their red Pinto car. They are hoping to travel through California to Watts to their uncle's apartment so they can regroup and find their feet. Opine believes his mother's stories about his ancestors. MJ is older and angrier and blames their mother for their current situation. When their car dies on the freeway near Burbank, Opine begs his mother to stop running and allow someone to help them.,

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so sad and heartbreaking. I felt so many emotions while listening to this book and don’t know how to collect all of my feelings. This book really shines a light on the issue of homelessness and how it impacts children.

Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This book had so many topics that are heavy for a middle grader. It did not really seem like a children's fiction.
Even with topics that I generally love to read about, this wasn't for me and had to dnf it after a few chapters.

This is the story of Opin, his brother MJ and his mom. They are homeless and living in their car. They are trying to make it to his Uncle house and not get noticed by Child Protection Services. MJ frequently runs away and struggles with violence.

This was a tough novel to listen to! I think it an important one, but it deals with many toughs things-homelessness, abuse, drugs, alcohol, mental health, violence, etc. This would be a good one to read with your child or read before your child, so you can discuss what is going on. I still recommend this book

This book is HEAVY for a middle grade novel. It deals with so many topics that I’ve never seen approached in a novel for this group. At the end, we learn it it the author’s autobiography, or something close to it.

If your looking for this one for your young reader, I would highly recommend reading it together, or before they do so that you’re there to answer questions in context. It’s very important reading, though.

The reason I’m giving 4 stars instead of 5 is because I wish there was some sort of glossary or place to find more info so that kids aren’t left with many questions, but no where that is accessible to them for seeking out their own answers.

If you don’t tear up reading this, you’re dead inside.

This is a beautiful, sad, heartwarming, heartbreaking tale of Opin, a young Native American boy who’s homeless yet somehow incredibly hopeful. Opin is living in a car with his troubled brother and determined mother- or a shelter or motel when they’re lucky- as they struggle to work their way on a long slow journey to Los Angeles in hopes of more opportunities.

The sheer joy Opin finds in a trip to the grocery store is enough to make this reader reevaluate my priorities and sense of appreciation for things I so easily take for granted. There are so many such vignettes in this story. Seeing the world through his eyes is just so moving and affecting in every way. While technically a middle grade book, I recommend this for adults as well. Everyone would benefit from reading this.

Calvin Joyal provides perfect narration for the audiobook.

Thank you James Bird, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for providing this ALC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

Oh I love this. I love this so much!
I loved all the ojibwe words, perfectly pronounced, the humor, and the mother and son relationships. It is beautiful.
There is no better narrator for this. I was enthralled. I loved every word.
MJ's issues were realistic as well. I learned a lot. As someone who has been homeless I felt all of this. The mom reminds me of my nieces mother. She's had to deal with a lot but her humor is intact.
I loved the ending.

Also my Rooster is named opiniig now.