The House on Rondo was a great read, highly informative, and heartwarming as well. It tells the story of a neighborhood of black families that gets torn down to build an interstate. The houses (and families) on Rondo Street are memorable and resilient, and it's remarkable to see the growth of Zenobia, a young girl, who is sent to Rondo Street with her younger siblings to live with her grandparents while her mother recovers from a stroke.

I can see the comparisons to the House on Mango Street, however this is more of a novel sharing the lives of each resident than a series of vignettes. Or maybe they're more similar than I can remember.

While Zenobia and her family is front and center, I really enjoyed learning about all the neighbors and their stories as well. Definitely recommend this for school classrooms. Ages 8+.

The House on Rondo is a beautifully wrought, emotionally powerful debut. Stone doesn’t just tell us about a neighborhood lost, she invites us into it, into its people, its laughter, its pain, and its fight. A poignant reminder that even when communities are torn apart, their spirit stays alive through the stories that continue to be told.

The House on Rondo is truly one of the best books I’ve read this year. Stories like this are why I love middle grade historical fiction so much.

Taking place in 1963, the story follows 13-year-old Zenobia. Her mother is recovering from a stroke, so Zenobia and her younger siblings are going to spend the summer with their grandparents on Rondo Avenue, home to a thriving black community.

Zenobia plans to spend her summer reading comics, playing outside with her friend Betty, and helping her grandparents. But she gradually learns that all the houses on Rondo are set to be demolished to make space for a new interstate highway. Her grandparents don’t want her worrying about it, but Zenobia is troubled by the news. The demolition of Rondo would mean displacement for the majority of the residents.

Zenobia’s story is interwoven with her family’s history and the lives of the other Rondo residents. With the encouragement of neighbor Mrs. Ruby Pearl, Zenobia decides to take a stand on behalf of her community.

In The House on Rondo, both characters and places come to life. The story also touches on issues such as alcoholism, abuse, parental abandonment, colorism, illness, and the loss of a child. Despite the heaviness, these topics are all handed with the sensitivity they deserve.

Another thing I really appreciated was how Debra J. Stone never talks down to her young readers. She doesn’t sugarcoat history to make it more palatable or pleasing. She doesn’t downplay the severity of difficult situations. This is part of what makes The House on Rondo such an excellent book for readers of all ages, not just children.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC. I know I will be thinking about this story for a long, long time.