The Leaves in October

by Karen Ackerman

What will life be like in a shelter for the homeless?



That's what Livvy wonders after her father, "Poppy," loses his job and her mother leaves them.



While their father looks for work, Livvy and her little brother, Younger, get to know the people in the shelter. Some are scary, while some are friendly. Before long Livvy finds a way to earn money to help Poppy buy a home. She can't stop believing in Poppy's promise "When the leaves in October are red and gold, we'll be home."



Then one day Poppy has good news and bad news. Will Livvy have to give up her dreams of living together as a family?

Genres: Childrens, Middle Grade

128 pages, Paperback

First published March 30, 1991

Reviews

[Nichole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow. Well, reading all the historical Monarch, Bluestem, Rebecca Caudill, and Lincoln is certainly going to be an adventure, huh. This book was published in 1991 and was on the 1994 Rebecca Caudill. It's fascinating to see how much children's lit has changed. Although this addresses difficult issues like homelessness, missing school due to homelessness, parental abandonment, and more... and yet it feels pretty simplistic? I think it's because it gets solved too easily in the end.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 It wasn't bad, but not life changing either. Honestly, it felt a little preachy about getting married and having kids young, and about appreciating what you have.

[CCIP Middle School · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Leaves of October, Livvy is a nine year old girl whose life turns upside down. First, her father looses his job and her mother leaves the family. Then, unable to support the family on his own, Livvy’s father moves them (Livvy, Poppy, and Livvy’s little brother, Younger) out of their trailer and into a homeless shelter. At the shelter, the children meet an assortment of other homeless citizens, including some who want to better the lives of everyone in the shelter. Livvy starts selling paper flowers to secretly help her father with income. LHer father finally gets a job, but Livvy and Younger still have nowhere to live while he’s away and face the danger of foster care.
This story provides a realistic look at life in a homeless shelter. While the ending may seem happy because Poppy finally gets a job, the children still have nowhere to live and face the risk of being split up in foster care is they can’t stay at the homeless shelter on their own. This is a reality that many families face. When parents are unable to care for their children, siblings are usually separated, not only from their parents, but from each other as well.
In addition, life in a homeless shelter is hard. Some people, like Madiera (who teaches the shelter children and shows Livvy and Younger how to make and sell the paper flowers), are good and want to help others improve. But people are there because they have no home or food, and the atmosphere is bleak and depressing. Livvy’s energetic personality and positive outlook is rare in homeless shelter and runs the risk of being squashed.
While this isn’t exactly a happy or encouraging book, it does provide a good depiction of the trials facing those in poverty. To gain a little understanding of the challenges of living in poverty, this book is a quick read (with a Lexile of 970L).
Alli Boyer

[Books Kids Like · Rating 4 out of 5]

When they go to the homeless shelter, Poppy promises Livvy and Younger that they will have a home "when the leaves in October are red and gold." Livvy and Younger adjust quickly to their new surroundings. Madiera, an eccentric old woman, organizes a school for the shelter children. She teaches Livvy and her friend, Belinda, how to make tissue paper flowers. Younger, who is small and charming, goes outside each day to sell them. Livvy keeps the money a secret from Poppy and dreams of the day she will give it to him for their new home. Livvy's hopes soar when Poppy announces that he has a job. Then, she finds out that she and Younger have to stay in the shelter while he works. She wonders if they will ever be a family again. Her dreams for a home by October seem to be fading away.
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com

[Venid V. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember when I was in 5th grade and I absoulutly ( sorry for any spelling mistakes) Loved this book!!!! I even cried :( from this awesome book! This book is deffenitly my favorite book in the whole inter universe!!!! Nobody can make me think other wise. I recomend this book to EVERY ONE!!!

[Catherine Mustread · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grades 4+. After her father loses his job and her mother deserts the family, 9-year-old Livvy, her younger brother and her father stay in a homeless shelter and hope for something better by October.

[Sylvene · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful story about a family who is homeless.