A Place to Call Home

by Jackie French Koller

Anna is devoted to her younger siblings -- five-year-old Mandy and seven-month-old Casey -- and will sacrifice anything to keep the three of them together. So when her mother, who has been raising the children alone, leaves her small family, Anna hides the evidence from the authorities. But Anna's mother has committed suicide, and eventually the children are placed with foster parents. Desperate for answers, Anna travels to Mississippi to meet her grandparents and learn the truth about her own biracial heritage.

Genres: Young Adult

208 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Jackie French Koller (born 1948) is an American author of picture books, chapter books, and novels for children and young adults. She lives and writes in western Massachusetts.

Koller is also an accomplished painter. Her interest in art inspired her to open The Little Black Dog Gallery in Westfield, Massachusetts.

Koller's young-adult novel If I Had One Wish was adapted into a Disney Channel Original Movie under the title You Wish!.

Reviews

[Kami Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would say this book is the best book I have ever read in my life. It touched my heart and I almost cried a couple times. Once I read A place to call home I told my friends about how much I liked this book, they wanted to read it too. My sister and my two friends have read the book too and loved it. If you like books that want to make you cry and that are heartwarming you would want to read this book. I liked it so much that I looked up the author and Im reading more books of hers. Read this book it is amazing!!!:)

[Ariana Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book... checked it out of the library this morning and read it all in one day. Some parts of it are kind of heartbreaking- to me it was when Nate was mad at her, when that one chapter began with talking about Casey learning to cry himself to sleep and Mandy becoming scared, and even the ending a little, it was the only possible ending in my opinion, yet I wished everything could have turned out perfect. I think, in that sense, this book made me feel connected to it, like it was happening in real life. The only reason I give it four stars is because some parts were a bit unbelievable to me. I'd definitely recommend people to read it.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

recommended by one of my students, I am about a third of the way through, I can see why our students would like this book--a teenager facing all obstacles, some a teenager shouldn't have to deal with...I cried through the end. I would definitely recommend this to my students.

[Mimi Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

Poorly written with a lot of adverbs and weak descriptions. The story hangs together by a weak thread. I expeceted better from such a well-published author.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in middle school and the story has stuck with me since.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I didn’t like: I thought the romance was unnecessary. It seemed forced and I liked the part about it showing how Anna just wanted to be normal but it felt too rushed and unrealistic.

What I liked: This book made Anna appear strong and incredible for a 15 year old, while also showing how she was not meant to be the sole caretaker of two young children. She gets mad at her siblings, she wants to live a normal life, she starts to avoid her studies, etc. It also showed the good and bad of the foster system. It also kept me guessing as to what would happen next and there was never a dull moment.

[Lisa Mockus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book that made me think differently about what some teenagers go through.

[Jordan Payne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot. It was a great story and I was so glad that everything turned out good for Anna and her siblings. I feel this book did a great job conveying Anna’s feelings to the reader.

[Amber Mcneal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked ths book. I started reading it on Friday and couldn't put it down. It was about a 15 year old girl who's mother had a severe drinking problem and from there, everything started to go wrong. She had to leave her home and her childhood early to start acting as a mother. She has to take care of her little brother and sister and hide the fact that their mother disappeared. Anna has to learn at an early age how to figure out what choices to make that will benefit her and her siblings. I recommend this book because many teens my age are going this same problem and we might not even know it.

[Kim Benouski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this story about a girl running away with her siblings to avoid being taken from social services and separated from her siblings (they are white and young, and she is mixed race and a teen). It doesn't have the ending some kids might want, but it's realistic in that sense, and really touches your heart. This is a great book for grades 6-10.

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

When fifteen-year-old Anna's mother leaves again, she knows it's up to her to care for two younger siblings and keep the authorities from finding out. A daunting task. This was a quick, engaging read that would probably be more appreciated by its target audience --- teenage girls --- than it was by me.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anna is a young high school student with dreams of a college scholarship. However, she also often has to take responsibility for her two younger siblings. Her mother is an irresponsible alcoholic who often disappears. When her mother ends up committing suicide Anna has to figure out a way to keep the three of them together.

[Ashley Lavering · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book but it ripped my heart out. I couldn't put the book down. With that said, it did end happily or else I might need therapy. lol. The author did really well with the emotions in this book

[Glenda Pyt · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love the book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i think any teenagetr should read these incredible journey of this young girl and her siblings, children of a alcholic mother, that are trying to find "a place to call home."

[Yashna · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is really touching...don't worry, it won't make you cry!...it's about protecting your loved ones that mean the world to you...even if you have to give up your dreams

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

very strong young girl, even though it's more than 30 years since it was published.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Place to Call Home was a good book. It was very easy to read though. It didn't challenge me very much. The ending wasn't quite what I expected, but I liked it.

[Mimi Endo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was great! I really enjoyed the flow of the book, and the storyline was very creative. The authors writing is simple, yet eye catching. Very enjoyable for all ages.

[Angie Mancilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book that started my passion for reading. I related to the main character growing up. Anna will forever be my best friend.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

good book about adoption/ foster care.. great book

[Shannen]

Four and a half stars. (: