Hungered

by Amanda Rizkalla

For readers of Sandra Cisneros’ The House on Mango Street and Justin Torres’ We the Animals, this striking debut brings to life an unforgettable young narrator and the complicated, loving, cruel, and generous figures that make up her universe.

Sofia’s mother promises that she’ll have her own bedroom to decorate soon. Soon, too, she’ll be able to see her friends, go back to school, and eat the colorful, tempting cakes in the grocery store’s display case. For now, though, twelve-year-old Sofia lives with her mother and brother, Rafa, in their car. For now, Sofia’s days are a blur of freeways and strip malls across the West Coast as her mother searches for a safe place to park for the night. For now, her mother contemplates impossible choices, while Sofia catches glimpses of kindness and cruelty from strangers, and tries to carve out a space and an identity for herself while grappling with her family’s disintegration.

This haunting and lyrical novel captures the fault lines of an existence marked by economic insecurity, exploring what it means to come of age during a moment of displacement. Beautifully rendered and emotionally charged, Hungered is an indelible ode to survival, memory, and the search for home in its many forms.

Genres: Fiction

336 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication May 19, 2026

Reviews

[Laura Donovan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning, devastating, heartbreaking novel that tackles housing insecurity, racism, abuse, class discrepancies, cruelty towards immigrants, and systems designed to work against mothers in this country. This is such a well-written, sad story that is unfortunately relatable to a lot of people. This is the kind of book that should prompt everyone to be more compassionate and understanding.

[Ellen Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Told from Sofia’s point of view as her and her mother and brother leave her father and experience homelessness and scraping to get by, this was a raw play by play that touched my soul. Complete with the experience of being a girl in the world, friends, family, and more watching how Sofia and her family endure their situation was absolutely fascinating. The characters are all so well developed and it feels like I got to know them in real life. This is a must read book for everyone. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Laura N · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping, powerfully raw read!! HUNGERED will be staying with me for quite some time, and I urge everyone to read it. This book shines light on the fastest growing segment of the unhoused population in the United States - families. The book is told from 12-year-old Sofia’s point of view as she grapples with the disparity between the seemingly secure life she once had to the uncertain life she is now living with her mom and brother out of their car.

The characters in the story are well portrayed and complex. The book masterfully handles and fleshes out the intense range of differing emotions felt by each character as the story develops. My heart went out to Sofia and her mom throughout book. Their inner strength is something to behold. The book has a heavy subject matter, but the story is not overwhelming. I found myself wanting to continue to read to see how Sofia’s days and life unfolded. The story went by all too quickly; I’d LOVE to read more about Sofia and her family.

This would be a great discussion book for a book club! Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Company for offering me an ARC of HUNGERED.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heart wrenching reality of a homeless girl, Sophia, that endures living in a car with her Mom and younger brother. Suffering with too much time to think of both the good and bad times. This was a glimpse into their never ending struggle to live a normal life surrounded by cruel people.
This is told from the eyes of a Mexican Egyptian preteen that used terms such as baba, abuelo and abuela, so for me, I had to stop several times to figure out who she was referring to. The characters were well written, easy to visualize and credible. It almost went by too quickly, I would have liked to have seen a longer timeline in hopes that there would be some steps forward.
I would recommend this book.

Thank you Amanda Rizkalla and Henry Holt & Company for providing this book for review consideration.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book- well written, original storyline, kept my interest. Wish the ending felt more finished. I don't like stories wrapped up to neatly but I do appreciate things being wrapped up somewhat.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

[J R · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic and well-written book told from the perspective of a 12-year-old girl whose family is going through serious troubles. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.