Review By: Lindsay Heil
Author: Karina Yan Glaser
Published: 2023, Clarion Books
Genre: Realistic Fiction, Music, Friendship, Middle Grade, Family, Biracial
Audience: 4, 5, 6, 7
Triggers: None
Summary: Told from the perspective of biracial sixth-graders June and Tyrell, two children living in a homeless shelter. As their friendship grows over a shared love of classical music, June and Tyrell confront a new housing policy that puts homeless families in danger. It’s June’s first day at Huey House, and as if losing her home weren’t enough, she also can’t bring her cherished viola inside. Before the accident last year, her dad saved tip money for a year to buy her viola, and she’s not about to give it up now. Tyrell has been at Huey House for three years and gives June a glimpse of the good things about living there: friendship, hot meals, and a classical musician next door. Can he and June work together to oppose the government, or will families be forced out of Huey House before they are ready?
Review: A Duet for Home tells the story of June, a 6th grader whose family is recently unhoused after the death of her father. June is understandably nervous and reluctant about her new living situation at Huey House. However, upon meeting Tyrell, another 6th grader who has been at Huey House for several years, June soon learns about the many good parts it has to offer. As June and Tyrell cultivate their friendship, they soon need to work together to save Huey House from being dismantled. This story serves as reminder of the beauty of friendship, working together, and the power of using your voice, no matter your age. I think the highlight of this book is the way the author addresses the biases (perhaps implicit) of homelessness in such an authentic manner. Through the telling of June and Tyrell’s stories, the reader is forced to confront their own thoughts and opinions of those living in a homeless shelter. For example, the Mayor of New York City proposes a new rule that re-homes all homeless shelter inhabitants after 90 days, with the hope of eliminating homelessness altogether. While this change sounds noble at first blush, June and Tyrell protest that these initiatives often don’t consider the people, and their unique stories, affected by the proposal. This one example actively shifted my previous way of thinking. I truly appreciated this authenticity of the story. I think my students, whether they were impacted by homelessness or not, have a lot to learn from these characters.
