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Free Lunch #3
Road Home
This final, essential chapter in Rex Ogle’s memoir trilogy recounts being forced from his home and living on the streets after his conservative father discovered he was gay. When Rex was outed the summer after he graduated high school, his father gave him a choice: he could stay at home, find a girlfriend, and attend church twice a week, or he could be gay―and leave. Rex left, driving toward the only other gay man he knew and a toxic relationship that would ultimately leave him homeless and desperate on the streets of New Orleans. Here, Rex tells the story of his coming out and his father’s rejection of his identity, navigating abuse and survival on the streets. Road Home is a devastating and incandescent reflection on Rex’s hunger―for food, for love, and for a place to call home―completing the trilogy of memoirs that began with the award-winning Free Lunch .
272 pages, Hardcover
Published May 14, 2024
43 people are currently reading
2965 people want to read
About the author
Rex Ogle
64 books567 followersHoly moly! I am so humbled and honored for y'all to read my books. Big hugs to all of ya.
Also, check out graphic novels under my pen name REY TERCIERO.
Bio:
REX OGLE is an award-winning author and the writer of nearly a hundred children’s books, comics, graphic novels, and memoirs—most notably Free Lunch, which won the ALA/YALSA award for Excellence in Non-Fiction.
Born and raised (mostly) in Texas, he moved to New York City after college to intern at Marvel Comics before moving over to DC Comics, Scholastic, and Little Brown Young Readers. As an editor, he championed over a dozen NY Times Bestsellers and worked on (and often wrote) major brands such as X-Men, Justice League, Star Wars, LEGO, Power Rangers, Transformers, Minecraft, Assassin’s Creed, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Neil Patrick Harris’s Magic Misfits.
Rex has written under a lot of pen names, including Trey King, Honest Lee, and Rey Terciero (a nickname given by his Abuela, being Español for “third king”, which is apt since Rex is Latin for “king”, and he is the third “Rex” in his family).
Now, Rex lives in Los Angeles where he writes in his spare time—that is, when he’s not outdoors hiking with his dog Toby, playing MarioKart with friends, or reading.
Also, check out graphic novels under my pen name REY TERCIERO.
Bio:
REX OGLE is an award-winning author and the writer of nearly a hundred children’s books, comics, graphic novels, and memoirs—most notably Free Lunch, which won the ALA/YALSA award for Excellence in Non-Fiction.
Born and raised (mostly) in Texas, he moved to New York City after college to intern at Marvel Comics before moving over to DC Comics, Scholastic, and Little Brown Young Readers. As an editor, he championed over a dozen NY Times Bestsellers and worked on (and often wrote) major brands such as X-Men, Justice League, Star Wars, LEGO, Power Rangers, Transformers, Minecraft, Assassin’s Creed, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Neil Patrick Harris’s Magic Misfits.
Rex has written under a lot of pen names, including Trey King, Honest Lee, and Rey Terciero (a nickname given by his Abuela, being Español for “third king”, which is apt since Rex is Latin for “king”, and he is the third “Rex” in his family).
Now, Rex lives in Los Angeles where he writes in his spare time—that is, when he’s not outdoors hiking with his dog Toby, playing MarioKart with friends, or reading.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 193 reviews
July 20, 2025
Rex Ogle had a rough childhood. His first memoir recounted the poverty in which he was raised, the second the domestic violence he suffered, and now he tells of the summer he spent living on the streets of New Orleans scrabbling for food and shelter after he was thrown out of his father's house for being gay.
It's a fairly engrossing narrative filled with personal pain, but it is less intense than what has come before. We spend a lot of time in Ogle's head as he makes a series of poor teenaged decisions in a situation that he could have ended at almost any time with a little faith and a collect phone call.
I'm glad he has shared his experiences and highly recommend reading all his autobiographical stories, including the graphic novels.
It's a fairly engrossing narrative filled with personal pain, but it is less intense than what has come before. We spend a lot of time in Ogle's head as he makes a series of poor teenaged decisions in a situation that he could have ended at almost any time with a little faith and a collect phone call.
I'm glad he has shared his experiences and highly recommend reading all his autobiographical stories, including the graphic novels.
October 21, 2024
I'm speechless (which doesn't happen too often). I had to take a day to gather my thoughts on this book. Without a doubt, it's something that should be read by everyone for so many reasons... to teach compassion, give insight into homelessness which is something that is much too prevalent, to encourage parents to be accepting of lifestyles they may not understand, to encourage young people in a bad situation to reach out for help, and to emphasize that there is always hope no matter your situation.
This book will change you. I will never look at a homeless person the same way again and I will help in any way I can. Throughout this trilogy memoir I've been heartbroken, gained a new understanding of issues such as abuse and homelessness, and learned that one person or small efforts can change the trajectory of someone's life.
Rex Ogle is an amazing human. He is an example of resilience and persistence. I'm so grateful that there are people out there that are willing to share their story so that other young people will feel understood and know that they can survive. Please don't miss the opportunity to read these books and become a better person as a result.
This book will change you. I will never look at a homeless person the same way again and I will help in any way I can. Throughout this trilogy memoir I've been heartbroken, gained a new understanding of issues such as abuse and homelessness, and learned that one person or small efforts can change the trajectory of someone's life.
Rex Ogle is an amazing human. He is an example of resilience and persistence. I'm so grateful that there are people out there that are willing to share their story so that other young people will feel understood and know that they can survive. Please don't miss the opportunity to read these books and become a better person as a result.
March 17, 2024
A heartbreaking, but powerful memoir about the author's troubled early life. This book overflows with so much emotion. I admire the courage and restraint the author undoubtedly required to revisit this part of his life.
It is a reminder for anyone that even if life can be cruel, there is always a glimmer of light.
It is a reminder for anyone that even if life can be cruel, there is always a glimmer of light.
April 30, 2024
I shed actual tears while reading this and I have a huge book hangover now. Rex Ogle is an amazing writer.
March 16, 2025
Read from start to finish in three hours and truly changed my life.
December 9, 2024
Having already read Abuela, Don’t Forget Me maybe made this even more painful. I just wanted to reach through the book and make him call her sooner!!! Beautiful and heart wrenching read. Forever grateful to Rex for having the courage to share his story with us. I finished it in class and I’m just crying at my desk. It’s fine.
February 17, 2025
This book made my heart heavy with sadness. I was made more aware of the struggles LGBTQ individuals face and perhaps why they have such a fear of coming out. Parents can be so cruel and sometimes I think that everyone has the kind of parents that I do, accepting and loving. This is tragic and hurtful and raw and real and shakes my bones to the core. I think everyone should read this book.
January 22, 2024
This memoir is tough to read (triggers abound) but it is incredibly powerful. I'm so glad Rex is still with us and sharing his stories with the many young people who can relate to his experiences. The rest of us can become more empathetic from reading his work.
December 20, 2023
Rex Ogle's fantastic autobiographical writing is always centered in the body. He makes readers feel the burning shame of presenting a free lunch card in front of the class; the shock of taking a punch from your own parent; the joy of a warm, accepting hug. In Road Home, he is 17, homeless, alone, hungry, yearning, and very very scared.
Look, folks. I was young and in New Orleans myself in 1998. Thankfully, I was a tourist -- well-fed, with my best friends (one of whom was living there), and safe as houses. But I was also growing into myself while trying to get away from my dysfunctional family. And, I also made a pilgrimage to Anne Rice's house. Rex Ogle's brave and honest book brings it all back for me.
Young readers today are bound to relate deeply to Rex's story, and also learn a lot about life back then. You can certainly still get thrown out of your dad's house for being gay these days; hopefully, you have more than a stranger's telephone number as a lifeline. But the same kind of relationships are still forming and the same kind of suffering happens all the time.
We as readers are comforted, as we are with all of Ogle's work, because we know Rex lives and thrives in the future. Like Maya Angelou, his love of words helps him get by. This book is on that I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings level, and it belongs in every library serving teens and adults. Also, I look forward to it winning the Printz in 2024.
Look, folks. I was young and in New Orleans myself in 1998. Thankfully, I was a tourist -- well-fed, with my best friends (one of whom was living there), and safe as houses. But I was also growing into myself while trying to get away from my dysfunctional family. And, I also made a pilgrimage to Anne Rice's house. Rex Ogle's brave and honest book brings it all back for me.
Young readers today are bound to relate deeply to Rex's story, and also learn a lot about life back then. You can certainly still get thrown out of your dad's house for being gay these days; hopefully, you have more than a stranger's telephone number as a lifeline. But the same kind of relationships are still forming and the same kind of suffering happens all the time.
We as readers are comforted, as we are with all of Ogle's work, because we know Rex lives and thrives in the future. Like Maya Angelou, his love of words helps him get by. This book is on that I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings level, and it belongs in every library serving teens and adults. Also, I look forward to it winning the Printz in 2024.
January 14, 2024
When a book has the power of recalibrating your empathetic response to human suffering, you know it is one not only worth picking up, but spreading for others to share in the impact. Rex Ogle has accomplished just that in Road Home.
Growing up in Alabama & having a younger brother who is a New Orleans transplant, I related to the places & faces that Ogle generously depicts. Yet there are so many parts that are Ogle’s story to tell. As a reader, you could feel the measure of care, control, ownership, & restraint that he took in gifting others with a peak inside trauma that no young adult should have to endure when coming into their own person. It is exactly this strength that not only helped carry him through that time, but also carries him through a look back that undoubtedly required courage.
Thank you to NetGalley & Norton Young Readers for this ARC look into an unforgettable story. No Mushu luck needed to see that this man’s humble talent deserves his flowers. I can think of young — and old — people who will benefit tremendously from this gift & perhaps begin to see that no matter the past (or present) there is life yet left to live.
Growing up in Alabama & having a younger brother who is a New Orleans transplant, I related to the places & faces that Ogle generously depicts. Yet there are so many parts that are Ogle’s story to tell. As a reader, you could feel the measure of care, control, ownership, & restraint that he took in gifting others with a peak inside trauma that no young adult should have to endure when coming into their own person. It is exactly this strength that not only helped carry him through that time, but also carries him through a look back that undoubtedly required courage.
Thank you to NetGalley & Norton Young Readers for this ARC look into an unforgettable story. No Mushu luck needed to see that this man’s humble talent deserves his flowers. I can think of young — and old — people who will benefit tremendously from this gift & perhaps begin to see that no matter the past (or present) there is life yet left to live.
June 28, 2025
I received an advanced copy through NetGally. Wow. I usually am an audiobook listener but because of the New Orleans setting, I requested a copy of the ebook. I blew through this in just a few hours. Rex's memoir covers a time when he was homeless in New Orleans after being kicked out of his house at age 17 by his father. Although Rex had not had a sexual experience with another boy at the time, he was aware of his attraction to boys and because he couldn't promise his father that he could be completely straight he was kicked out. He made his way to New Orleans and this memoir covers his time in the Big Easy. It was anything BUT easy. Rex's descriptions of New Orleans were authentic. His writing transported me, I could feel what he felt, his state of being during his time there. It was heartbreaking and moving. There is a rape scene and other elements that could be triggering to some. Rex has these warnings at the beginning of the book. He did a masterful job of communicating the pain of those experiences without being terribly graphic. I would put the age for this at 15+
Read
April 7, 2024Reading for review in professional magazine- see review there.
"Sydney takes the straw out of her glass and drops it on the table. She gulps down the last of her drink. Shakes her head, like she's trying to clear it. Then she closes her eyes, takes a deep breath. When she opens them, she says, "Another round?" 'Are you okay?' I ask. "Nope," she says. Then she walks back to the bar."
"Well, I was rusty at first. It's been a while since I talked to anybody," I admit. "But talking is like dancing. It takes both people to make it work." 'Guess you're wise too.' "I have my moments.""
"Sydney takes the straw out of her glass and drops it on the table. She gulps down the last of her drink. Shakes her head, like she's trying to clear it. Then she closes her eyes, takes a deep breath. When she opens them, she says, "Another round?" 'Are you okay?' I ask. "Nope," she says. Then she walks back to the bar."
"Well, I was rusty at first. It's been a while since I talked to anybody," I admit. "But talking is like dancing. It takes both people to make it work." 'Guess you're wise too.' "I have my moments.""
February 3, 2025
What a terribly sad and difficult book to read. If I hadn't read Ogle's other books and knew that his life turns out successful, I'm not sure if I could finish it. As usual, his writing his magnificent.
I know if ramble on reviews, but with what's going on right now, I fear for all lgbtq friends, but mostly I fear for the young who have so much to deal with anyway. I just hope that like Rex, they can find an "abuela" who will love them and help them. I hope they find a safe space.
I know if ramble on reviews, but with what's going on right now, I fear for all lgbtq friends, but mostly I fear for the young who have so much to deal with anyway. I just hope that like Rex, they can find an "abuela" who will love them and help them. I hope they find a safe space.
June 8, 2024
Road Home broke my heart, infuriated me, and forced me to think about the privileges I take for granted in my own life. I love Rex Ogle’s writing and think that his stories are so powerful. This book was no exception!
December 21, 2024
Conflicted giving this 5 stars because it was so hard to read, bringing truths to real tragedies. Yet it was so well written, a story that had to be told. This 4th book finished stills gives hope. Human survival still amazes me.
October 31, 2025
Rex was 17 when his father issued his ultimatum. Stay home, be straight, pay for your own therapy, go to church, and date a girl or leave. Not much of a decision for this high school graduate. He packed all his belongings in a backpack and a duffle bag and with $117 in his wallet, he drove away.
With his few belongings and a phone number for an older guy who stole a kiss from Rex while he was on vacation in Florida, he heads to New Orleans. Thirty-one year old Russell was surprised to hear from Rex and let him crash at his place. Soon, they became a couple but Russell wanted more than Rex was ready to give. One night, though the word “no” was uttered many times, Russell forced himself on his young friend. The next morning, Rex packed his few belongings and with $17 in his pockets, he left. That fast, he found himself on the streets - unhoused, unfed, unwashed, and unseen.
Life on the streets is hard. The author does’t sugarcoat what he went through. The bullies he encountered. The ever present hunger and the need to find food and water. The stink of never getting clean or wearing clean clothes. The over powering heat and humidity in New Orleans.The loneliness of not knowing who to trust or where to sleep. And never feeling safe. He wants to work. He is willing to work. But not one person is willing to help this scared, dirty teen.
Road Home is a quick read with short chapters set at a fast pace. Occasionally, I had to close the book and just breathe for a while. The book is a gut-wrenching, raw, story of survival. Rex’s inner strength and value system served him well but did not put food before him. He learned the ways of the street. The sex scenes are graphic and for that reason, I would recommended this book for high school and beyond. This is an important work and should be read and discussed by adults and students.
The reader needs to remember this book takes place in the 1990s before cell phones, wide used of the internet, and when AIDS was still thought to be a gay man’s disease.
I so wanted an employer to look at Rex and help him. I wanted someone to see this young man and push the rules to help him. But, in the end, he found the courage to make the phone call and help himself.
Fair warning. From the moment you finish this book, you will look at the down and out, dirty, hungry, unhoused people in a totally different way. Road Home was named a Micheal Printz Honor book and a Stonewall Honor book. Both prestigious honors in the literary world.
This brave author has shared his story in three memoirs. His story is not, by any means, easy reading. But, it is an important life changing work which provides the reader with the hope that he or she can survive the pain, the abuse, and life on the streets. He ends the book with what happened in his life after the phone call. Another five star read. Rex Ogle, I am a changed person after reading Free Lunch, Punching Bag, and Road Home. Well done.
With his few belongings and a phone number for an older guy who stole a kiss from Rex while he was on vacation in Florida, he heads to New Orleans. Thirty-one year old Russell was surprised to hear from Rex and let him crash at his place. Soon, they became a couple but Russell wanted more than Rex was ready to give. One night, though the word “no” was uttered many times, Russell forced himself on his young friend. The next morning, Rex packed his few belongings and with $17 in his pockets, he left. That fast, he found himself on the streets - unhoused, unfed, unwashed, and unseen.
Life on the streets is hard. The author does’t sugarcoat what he went through. The bullies he encountered. The ever present hunger and the need to find food and water. The stink of never getting clean or wearing clean clothes. The over powering heat and humidity in New Orleans.The loneliness of not knowing who to trust or where to sleep. And never feeling safe. He wants to work. He is willing to work. But not one person is willing to help this scared, dirty teen.
Road Home is a quick read with short chapters set at a fast pace. Occasionally, I had to close the book and just breathe for a while. The book is a gut-wrenching, raw, story of survival. Rex’s inner strength and value system served him well but did not put food before him. He learned the ways of the street. The sex scenes are graphic and for that reason, I would recommended this book for high school and beyond. This is an important work and should be read and discussed by adults and students.
The reader needs to remember this book takes place in the 1990s before cell phones, wide used of the internet, and when AIDS was still thought to be a gay man’s disease.
I so wanted an employer to look at Rex and help him. I wanted someone to see this young man and push the rules to help him. But, in the end, he found the courage to make the phone call and help himself.
Fair warning. From the moment you finish this book, you will look at the down and out, dirty, hungry, unhoused people in a totally different way. Road Home was named a Micheal Printz Honor book and a Stonewall Honor book. Both prestigious honors in the literary world.
This brave author has shared his story in three memoirs. His story is not, by any means, easy reading. But, it is an important life changing work which provides the reader with the hope that he or she can survive the pain, the abuse, and life on the streets. He ends the book with what happened in his life after the phone call. Another five star read. Rex Ogle, I am a changed person after reading Free Lunch, Punching Bag, and Road Home. Well done.
July 8, 2024
The final chapter of @thirdrex memoir series is out now.
🏡
The summer after his senior Rex is outed to his father and must make the decision to either live straight under his roof or be cast out. Rex leaves his father and stepmother’s house with a heavy heart. The only place he can think to go is to New Orleans to visit the man who he just met at the beach. At first Rex is happy with his situation and hopeful he will find work and get his own apartment, but when the relationship with the older man turns toxic, Rex must once again strike out on his own. For months he lives on the streets of New Orleans, testing the boundaries of his hunger and what he will do for food, shelter and companionship.
🏡
This YA book will break your heart into a million pieces. I don’t know how Rex was able to journey back to that time in his life to write this memoir, but I’m so glad he did. This is what we mean when we say books save lives. Rex was able to survive and ultimately thrive in his career, family, and personal life, which can give so much hope to those in similar circumstances. From Free Lunch to Punching Bag to Abuela Don’t Forget Me and now to Road Home, I’m just in awe of Rex as an author and a human being. He has my admiration from now until forever. What a survivor! This title will definitely have you paying more attention to our unhoused people population and hopefully promote empathy in others too. Thank you for sharing your story.
CW: violence, sexual assault/rape, forced outing, alcohol, drug use, physical assault, starvation, homelessness, toxic relationship, suicide ideation, adult/minor relationship, homophobia, emesis, emotional abuse, injury, domestic abuse, homophobic slurs
🏡
The summer after his senior Rex is outed to his father and must make the decision to either live straight under his roof or be cast out. Rex leaves his father and stepmother’s house with a heavy heart. The only place he can think to go is to New Orleans to visit the man who he just met at the beach. At first Rex is happy with his situation and hopeful he will find work and get his own apartment, but when the relationship with the older man turns toxic, Rex must once again strike out on his own. For months he lives on the streets of New Orleans, testing the boundaries of his hunger and what he will do for food, shelter and companionship.
🏡
This YA book will break your heart into a million pieces. I don’t know how Rex was able to journey back to that time in his life to write this memoir, but I’m so glad he did. This is what we mean when we say books save lives. Rex was able to survive and ultimately thrive in his career, family, and personal life, which can give so much hope to those in similar circumstances. From Free Lunch to Punching Bag to Abuela Don’t Forget Me and now to Road Home, I’m just in awe of Rex as an author and a human being. He has my admiration from now until forever. What a survivor! This title will definitely have you paying more attention to our unhoused people population and hopefully promote empathy in others too. Thank you for sharing your story.
CW: violence, sexual assault/rape, forced outing, alcohol, drug use, physical assault, starvation, homelessness, toxic relationship, suicide ideation, adult/minor relationship, homophobia, emesis, emotional abuse, injury, domestic abuse, homophobic slurs
July 4, 2024
"These days I try to be grateful for what I have."
Oh, my Mama Dragon Heart!!!
** KLEENEX WARNING. **
This biography is a DEFINITE. MUST READ for anyone and everyone who knows someone who is struggling, has faced difficulties, has/is kicked out from their family, and/or is in the LGBTQ community (out or not), and searching to find their place in this world.
This is a beautiful, touching, and hopeful, yet also hauntingly honest, vulnerable, at times languishing and painful.
KLEENEX IS A MUST! And, if you're like me, a good, light hearted book or distraction as a break is helpful too.
I am grateful that Rex Ogle was courageous, brave, and kind enough to share his truths with us, so that we can learn, and experience life through others eyes.
There really isn't much that separates those who "have" from those who "have not" except from a circumstance which led to another, which led to another, and snowballed, ...
If ONLY we ALL changed our perspectives from US vs THEM mentality, and realized just how much we ALL have in common, ...
What a BEAUTIFUL WORLD this would be!!!
#content warning
#kleenexwarning
#readwithyourheartandmindwideopen
#wehavemoreincommonthandifferences
#whattheworldneedsnowislovesweetlove
#rexogle
#roadhouse
#5☆
#pleaseread
#mamadragons
#encircletogether
#trevorproject
#stay
#yourstoryisntover
"No matter how hard things were for her, she always chose to focus on the good in the world. She chose to be grateful for what she had and what the universe had to offer."
Oh, my Mama Dragon Heart!!!
** KLEENEX WARNING. **
This biography is a DEFINITE. MUST READ for anyone and everyone who knows someone who is struggling, has faced difficulties, has/is kicked out from their family, and/or is in the LGBTQ community (out or not), and searching to find their place in this world.
This is a beautiful, touching, and hopeful, yet also hauntingly honest, vulnerable, at times languishing and painful.
KLEENEX IS A MUST! And, if you're like me, a good, light hearted book or distraction as a break is helpful too.
I am grateful that Rex Ogle was courageous, brave, and kind enough to share his truths with us, so that we can learn, and experience life through others eyes.
There really isn't much that separates those who "have" from those who "have not" except from a circumstance which led to another, which led to another, and snowballed, ...
If ONLY we ALL changed our perspectives from US vs THEM mentality, and realized just how much we ALL have in common, ...
What a BEAUTIFUL WORLD this would be!!!
#content warning
#kleenexwarning
#readwithyourheartandmindwideopen
#wehavemoreincommonthandifferences
#whattheworldneedsnowislovesweetlove
#rexogle
#roadhouse
#5☆
#pleaseread
#mamadragons
#encircletogether
#trevorproject
#stay
#yourstoryisntover
"No matter how hard things were for her, she always chose to focus on the good in the world. She chose to be grateful for what she had and what the universe had to offer."
May 20, 2025
Full body chills. This book was so raw and emotional, I had to take my time reading it because it was honestly hard to read. But the hard things still need to be read because we need to learn from them and do better. Homelessness, depression, sexual assault, domestic abuse, this book touches on it all. Rex encountered this all. Rex laid his hard ships out in the open, bare, for all to read.
It breaks my heart that this is a reality for people: ending up homeless (for any number of reasons), kids actually being kicked out because of who they love. I don’t have kids but I can’t fathom sending someone out on their own with no support to try and survive because they have different beliefs than me, especially my own kid. Parents will stand by their kids and love them if they commit a murder but god forbid, they love someone of the same gender.
This is book 3 in his three book memoir series, but it can be read as a stand alone. I have not read the first 2 that came before it. I might, now that I have read this, to get his FULL story.
I know this book would be such a good read for any kid who is struggling with their sexuality. Just remember, this bad time is just a chapter, not your whole story.
It breaks my heart that this is a reality for people: ending up homeless (for any number of reasons), kids actually being kicked out because of who they love. I don’t have kids but I can’t fathom sending someone out on their own with no support to try and survive because they have different beliefs than me, especially my own kid. Parents will stand by their kids and love them if they commit a murder but god forbid, they love someone of the same gender.
This is book 3 in his three book memoir series, but it can be read as a stand alone. I have not read the first 2 that came before it. I might, now that I have read this, to get his FULL story.
I know this book would be such a good read for any kid who is struggling with their sexuality. Just remember, this bad time is just a chapter, not your whole story.
May 29, 2024
The final installment of Rex Ogle's memoir series is complete in the Road Home. Rex is rejected by his military father - who gives him 24r hours to get out of his house if he chooses to be gay. Rex packs his duffle bag and heads for the open road in his beat-up truck as a 17 year-old. He makes his way to New Orleans, to the only gay person he knows.
This is an important and necessary book. This is storytelling at its finest. Bravo Rex.
This is an important and necessary book. This is storytelling at its finest. Bravo Rex.
August 16, 2024
Wow, this was a tough book to listen to, even more because I know it is the author's life. This was a pretty harrowing time in Rex's life, and I had to keep reminding myself that he'd come through it. It is unflinching when describing precarious situations Rex found himself in, including drinking/drugs, sex, and domestic violence.
April 22, 2025
I am a HUGE Rex Ogle fan. Free Lunch and Punching nag were both super reads for me in one sitting. This was the same. I couldn’t put it down. Powerful and emotional.
I will read anything he writes. The human experience comes alive in his books. He pulls you in. You can FEEL the words on the page. Every painful experience and every ounce of joy.
I will read anything he writes. The human experience comes alive in his books. He pulls you in. You can FEEL the words on the page. Every painful experience and every ounce of joy.
March 16, 2024
This final installment of Rex's story is powerful, heartbreaking, alarming, and just like his other books, honest, real, and raw. In this memoir, Rex is kicked out of his dad's house and finds his way to New Orleans. Living on the streets, Rex experiences what I think is a typical "life on the street." It's horrifying, yet Rex perseveres and powers through some pretty awful shit as an unhoused person. This is a story about being true to yourself, while understanding that truth is hard.
I couldn't put this book down -- and I was reading it on my phone. I hate reading on my phone, but I found myself drawn back to reading this time and time again. This story has mature themes as one would expect for a story about a 17 year old living on the streets of a city and Ogle doesn't shy away from what happened to him. He addresses it all.
The short chapters and compelling narrative make this book accessible to all readers. I see this book, like his others, as great recommendations for both our undiscovered upper middle school and high school readers and those who are constant readers. Highly recommend!
I couldn't put this book down -- and I was reading it on my phone. I hate reading on my phone, but I found myself drawn back to reading this time and time again. This story has mature themes as one would expect for a story about a 17 year old living on the streets of a city and Ogle doesn't shy away from what happened to him. He addresses it all.
The short chapters and compelling narrative make this book accessible to all readers. I see this book, like his others, as great recommendations for both our undiscovered upper middle school and high school readers and those who are constant readers. Highly recommend!
June 12, 2024
Another well-written heart-breaking life story from Rex Ogle, though this one is not appropriate for most of my middle school audience. He continues to impress and I will continue to follow this author.
July 4, 2024
What a sad story about Rex being kicked out by his father for being gay and his journey to eventually land with his angel, his grandmother. I’ve had the honor of meeting of meeting Rex. Seeing how positive and vibrant he is and now knowing what he went through made me realize that everyone you meet has a story and has had a journey writing it. Be kind to others. A strong YA recommendation!
July 16, 2024
Rex Ogle has broken my heart with every one of his autobiographies, and this one was no exception. Although you could read this as a standalone, his other 2 autobiographies give this one a lot more context and background.
June 23, 2024
If you've read his other two memoir installments, this is a must-read.
September 7, 2024
As always, a really distinctive voice, lyricality in moments. Such a strong sense of place, and excellent conveyance of emotion.
November 18, 2024
Although hard to read and depressing at times, this is a brave and inspiring memoir. I am grateful to Rex for writing it and for showing how the human spirit can triumph.
May 30, 2025
i love every rex ogle book i have ever read ❤️
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