Keesha's House

by Helen Frost

An unforgettable narrative collage told in poems

Keesha has found a safe place to live, and other kids gravitate to her house when they just can't make it on their own. They are Stephie – pregnant, trying to make the right decisions for herself and those she cares about; Jason – Stephie's boyfriend, torn between his responsibility to Stephie and the baby and the promise of a college basketball career; Dontay – in foster care while his parents are in prison, feeling unwanted both inside and outside the system; Carmen – arrested on a DUI charge, waiting in a juvenile detention center for a judge to hear her case; Harris – disowned by his father after disclosing that he's gay, living in his car, and taking care of himself; Katie – angry at her mother's loyalty to an abusive stepfather, losing herself in long hours of work and school.

Stretching the boundaries of traditional poetic forms – sestinas and sonnets – Helen Frost's extraordinary debut novel for young adults weaves together the stories of these seven teenagers as they courageously struggle to hold their lives together and overcome their difficulties.

Keesha's House is a 2004 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Genres: Young Adult, Poetry, Classics, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Teen, Novel In Verse

116 pages, Paperback

First published April 2, 2003

About the author

I'm dipping my toes into goodreads to see how it works. Thanks for finding me here, and thanks to everyone who has read and written about my books. I love to know you're there, even if I don't come here too often to say so.

Helen Frost is the author of eleven novels-in-poems and seven picture books for children and young adults. She lives in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/helenf...

Reviews

[Savcra19 · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a story written in poetic form about a group of teenagers struggling with various things. Some have experienced abuse. Some have experienced the harsh realities of home life. Some have had to grow up too fast. But all of them are struggling in some way, shape, or form. Although their struggles are different, their common bond is this place known as Keesha's House. It's a place they can go to escape the bad and feel safe. It is the one thing that happens to bring them all together in their different times of need.


I liked this book. It is written in poetic form, which makes for it to be an easier read. You don't really get to connect with the characters much, which is something I didn't particularly like because it could have added a lot more to the story. It just presents the situations how they really are, with very little personal emotions talked about. This story was easy to relate to certain experiences in my life where I needed a "Keesha's House", which I think is something we experience at one point or another.

[Idris Reed · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book and almost cried when I got finished. I was very angry that it wasn't longer, so shame on you Helen Frost. Like really WHY write a good book if its not going to be long. I really really really liked this book and when I was finished I was like are you serious what the F word author. Ha ha now that I am done ranting lets talk about this book. As soon as I opened this short read I was geeking heavy. I like books with alot of drama and things like that. It really pisses me off though that Jason was being a complete douche bag. Like he was acting like a straight up child. You really shouldnt have sex if your not ready to accept the possibilities that comes with. Like step up and be a dad to your girl stephies baby. And she pissed me off to. Like quit acting so scared and stressed to tell your family your preggo. Go home already they might not be okay with it but they'll surely have to deal with it soon anyway. Carmen is just dumb to me she makes the dumbest descisions. How do you get caught driving home matter of fact why drive home you should've just let Dontay stay the night. I'm pretty sure your grandma wont mind. Dontay needs to lighten up. So what your foster family are kinda douche bags too, just give them the time to warm up to you. If they happen not to then screw them. Your okay just ignore them you already have a real family. Carmen you guys are tight so thats all you need. I completely respects Katie's Decisions she doesnt feel safe in a house with a potential rapist thats suppose to be her stepdad like thats her moms fault. she needs to open up her eyes and kick them guy to the curve. like i would never choose like a girlfriend over my child, thats weak as hell. You dont deserve to be a parent if you do. Now all I have to say about harris is, I got much respect for you bro. If your family dont come around F them. Be you if thats who you are then thats who you are. Dont ever second guess yourself because others view you badly even if it is your family.

[Hillary Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!! Inspires me to write about my experience working with amazing foster kids.

[Lauren Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

“It looks to me like the kids at Keesha’s house are wearing lives designed for people twice their age.” My mom recommended this to me as she read it with her high school students. It’s a collection of poems that follows the lives of 7 teenagers. I liked it because readers can probably relate to at least one of their stories/perspectives

[Liza Centeio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elizabeth Centeio December , 5 , 2008




Keesha’s House. That’s the book I just finished reading. The outstanding author that wrote this book is Helen Frost. The genre is fiction but feels like reality. The theme of this book is that there’s always a person you can count on and lift you up when your going through a difficult time.
There’s more to this book than just six people living together in a home. It gets deeper than that. It tells a life lesson about these six young teenagers trying to get through a rough time and trying to cop with the fact that their life is messed up. So they use each other because they cant make it on their own. Stephie is a bright young girl but pregnant with a guy who wants to keep the fetus but has a great basketball career ahead of him. But than came Dontey a lonesome guy whose parents are in jail and lives with his unfair foster parents. Carmen on the other hand is the thug and the toughest one out of all of them(like being arrested on a DUI charge) but is the one who breaks and changes her lifestyle. Imagine being disowned by your father because you was gay, well that’s Harris struggling to accept that fact that his father has a grudge held upon him for being gay. Katie is the quiet girl who cant trust her mother because she tells her that she’s getting severally beat by her husband. Last but not least comes keesha. The girl who made it all happen, and who brought these six young people together. When you read this book you’ll see how they transformed into being the worst they could be until being happy and living a healthy ride.
I found this book to be interesting and very emotional. The reason why I say that is because this book always kept me on the edge of my feet. And always had me guessing for more. This book was very emotional because of the stuff they went through and how miserable there life was. But than at the end of the book they all seemed happy and to be satisfied. My favorite part of the book is when Carmen changed for the better. “Dear Grandmama, get me out of me…. But then she stopped and ripped it up. I know I should of stopped drinkin’ that first time I got caught, back in seventh grade….. I keep thinking’ there must be some way to make myself listen…..(27)”. But my most favorite character and the one I felt most connected to is Jason. Because he’s trying to do what’s best for him and his girlfriend but not trying to screw anyone over. And you’ll be surprised how he over came that phase.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves the drama and loves suspense. And whoever doesn’t like a emotional book, than this book may not be for them. This book is a short book in a poetic form. So I would recommend this book to anyone who qualifies under those expectations.
In conclusion this book was worth all my time reading it. Not only that but influenced be to be just like Carmen and the others. So I give thanks to the author for not only writing a good book but for making me look at life a different way.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Keesha's House should be a prerequisite for calling yourself a human being. Each person, each poem, is a treasure. Frost takes us into the pain and love of teen characters to whom life has not been kind. Some have failed themselves, but overwhelmingly, they have been failed by adults whose moral obligation to care for them they seem to have overlooked, or been too cowardly to meet.

Interestingly, none of these teens suffer from mental illness or physical or mental disabilities. All hail from the great mass of people who were born with everything they needed, until what they needed most was denied them and their lives teetered on tragedy.

I loved these kids, for their character, their resiliency, and their courage. I loved Frost's poetry, too, and wish I had the knowledge to appreciate it fully. Maybe I should work on that! The kids at Keesha's House worked on much harder problems.

[Brynn Bohlender · Rating 3 out of 5]

Keesha's is a touching story of troubled teens in high school. Keesha along with several other teenagers collectively come to live together while they deal with their issues ranging from abuse, teen pregnancy and more. Keesha's house is a quick read that will pull at your heartstrings!

I was a little shocked when I realized that Keesha's house was written in poetry form. I did enjoy it because it made the book a little more personal to the minds and feelings of the main characters, but I think that because of that we lost a lot of depth of the characters situations and resolutions. That being said I really enjoyed the book and would recommend it.

[Haley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book Keesha's House is about six young teens that have difficulties in their lives. One of the teens is named Keesha Walker, she found a house were a lot of people can go if there is no place else. I really enjoyed this booked because all of the peolple lead such different lives, yet, they are all connected in one way, that is Keesha's house. I would recommend this to readers, because the author, Helen Frost, holds your attention and never lets go.

[Michelle]

what the book was about is that a girl named keesha found a safe house to live in. other kids go there when they can't make it on their own.

I recommend this book because its intresting and it is a very good book.

[Fadillah · Rating 3 out of 5]

If people we're supposed to count on can't (or don't) support us, it's up to us to find the friends who can and do.
Of course we want to be with both our parents in the kind of home where we'd be loved.
But why rant on about all that? Home is in your mind.
- Keesha’s house by Helen Frost
.
.
Helen frost told the stories of 7 Teenagers in a form of poetry. We were introduced to every single one of them with their own problem and dilemma in surviving the teenagehood. Some finding refuge at Keesha’s house due to family problem including Keesha who’s being kicked out of her father’s house. When Keesha met A good samaritan named Joe that helped her, She knew she was also given a chance to help other that was in the same predicament as hers. Some of the teenagers that both Joe and Keesha helped like Harries were being disowned by his family because of his sexual orientation. Keesha also offered protection to Katie as she choose to leave the house because she’s no longer felt safe being around her stepfather. Dontay also found stability in Keesha’s house as he were bounced from one foster home to another because of his parents. As for Stephie and Jason, a classic as of reckless teenage pregnancy. Jason , on the other hands, has everything at the stake - college and basketball career. They are too young to be parents though Stephie felt reluctant to abort the baby. Carmen dealt with her addiction and in Keesha’s house she found support. Overall, a touching story with a little bit depth on social issues - poverty, addiction, family stability, foster care , homophobia and teen pregnancy. The book also taught us to be grateful for our family , our comfortable shelter and our warm meals but at the same time offered us reality for those who don’t have it. Shelter and Foster homes didn’t always work and this is where these troubled teenagers fell into deeper pits if they were not being saved. I believe this is why Helen Frost created Keesha’s house in this story in order to give these kids a glimpses of hope and inspire them to achieve their dream.

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book in Verse by Helen Frost?
Yes Please...how did I not know about you??
A diverse group of kids on the outs needing a safe place in life - I know I will be handing this book to some students when I get to see their faces again...

[Avery · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE the format and the stories of these kids. Inspires me to start writing poetry again

[Robert Hegerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keesha's House contains stories about a group of young adults whose situations have led to them running away from their own homes to stay at a place named "Keesha's house." These characters have all experienced some type of trauma or anxiety that has separated them from typical adolescent life, such as teenage pregnancy, coming out to parents, and inappropriate behavior from a parent figure. In the book, Keesha's house acts as a type of safe space for these characters to stay while they try to sort out problems in their life. Each page writes about a different main character in a unique poetic form, combining their stories and revealing how their interactions may affect one another.
Although there isn't a complete resolution at the end of the novel, I'd recommend Keesha's House. It's a short novel that's not difficult to read through, and the organization of pages being about different characters makes it convenient to take a break and pick up again if you need to.

[Zena Johansson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Keesha's House is a young adult novel written in a poetic form from the perspective of seven young adults. Each character is struggling and trying to overcome their different circumstances. Although their situations are different, they come together and are strengthened as a man named Joe opens up his home as a safe place struggling teens can go. This place becomes known as Keesha's house, as she is the first one to go there. The different issues mentioned vary from teen pregnancy, Foster Care, homosexuality, abuse, DUI arrests, and neglect. This book gives the reader and inside scoops behind the thoughts, emotions, and fears of these struggling teens as they try to overcome their circumstances.

I personally really liked the way this book was structured. It was difficult at first to keep track of all the names and different background stories of each character, but with time it became more clear. The beauty in this story is that even though the situations of each character are different, they can all relate to each other in some way. The issues discussed tend to be a little darker than most young adult literature. However, the fact that those issues are real and relatable to our own society makes the story that much better. I felt as a reader that I was able to get to know each character individually and I was able to empathize with them as I went on their journey with them. This book allows readers to know the thoughts, worries, and fears of each character and I felt like I as struggling with them. It was a powerful book that opened my eyes to real world issues around me. I recommend to a middle school and high school audience. The topics discussed are important to learn about.

[Kelsey Christensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a collection of poems that follows the lives and struggles of Stephie, Jason, Dontay, Carmen, Harris, Katie, and Keesha. Each of the character are high school age students that are going through their own set of struggles. This book covers teen pregnancy, abuse, drugs, DUI, family issues, sexual orientation, the foster care system, and other things that kids experience. Keesha's house is a safe house for kids that do not have a place to call home or need a place to escape to.

Keesha's house is a beautifully written collection of poems from the differing kid’s perspectives and I absolutely loved it. The stories and plights of these high school age students really tugs on the heart strings. I feel that this book is good reminder that life isn't always roses and sunshine. Kids go through hard things. All kids deserve a safe place where they can live, and I loved that Keesha's house became sanctuary for so many struggling kids. My favorite poem was We Pass Each Other and it talks about how we walk by one another and judge, but don't know what others are going through. My favorite line is "most the time, we pass each other each other without touching." We don't look outside ourselves and see others struggles, but there are many out there who are struggling. It was a good reminder and great message.

[Grace Child · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read that looks into realistic lives of teenagers today. I think it is so important for people to realize that being young is hard now and that many teenagers find themselves in trouble without others knowing. This book is a great example of the diverse lives of teens that exist in every school across the world. It brings to light real life problems and shows that they can work out.
I would recommend this book for a High School class. It appropriately brings up many modern problems and shows what teen pregnancy, drugs, and poverty can to do a family. This is a great way to show teenagers who may not experience this every day, and can nicely expose them. There is talk of teenage pregnancy, drinking, drugs and some other sensitive issues, but not in an explicit way. It is appropriate for teenagers and would be a benefit in the classroom. The only downside to this novel was that I felt the ending wrapped up too quickly. I wish the author would have put a little more time into the end.

[Hannah L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A series of poems about children who all go to the house with the blue door: Keesha’s house. Pregnant, gay, domestic abuse, foster care, early drinking and dealing with home issues. This was a good book and it changed the perspective every chapter. Some characters would appear in other poems, showed how small their world was but weren’t entirely realistic in their actions. Some of the character’s stories seemed a little unresolved in the end but good story!

[Katie Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't love this book. A lot gets left out when there is just the lines of poetry, and a lot more is left to the imagination, but this seemed too bare bones. I think part of that, for me, was having too many voices — we were following 7 teenagers (I think?) It was hard to keep track of them when they each got so little time on the page. I wanted more from each, or fewer voices and more from each one.

[Ali Welte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keesha's House is about multiple teenagers who face difficult situations. These situations led them to leave home. Some stayed and some went back to their real home. This is also a becoming of age story that really hits home on what teenagers experience and how they feel. While they all face different situations, they can all find ways they are the same and look out for each other.

I really enjoyed this book. I have never read a book written in poetic form, but I think it gave more emotion to it. It opened my eyes to some of the difficulties teenagers face. It was beautifully written.

[Justin Eldon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book follows the events of 7 different teens, told through their own points of view, as well as those close to them. As they have hardships in their lives, they're able to temporarily stay at Keesha's House, until they can sort things out. It really jogged my memory, and helped me recall the feelings and emotions of being a teenager (although my childhood was no where near as traumatic as what these people went through). The stresses that cause decisions to be made, and the motivating factors in the life of a teen are explored. I would recommend anyone who deals with teenagers to give it a read, especially school teachers. Very short, took me about an 90 minutes.
I read the book because it was assigned for class, but I'm glad I did. Like stated before, I had forgotten what being a teenager is like.
I'd be careful about assigning this to a middle or high school class. It may hit a little to close to home for some, unless you know your students incredibly well. I can see it being useful for a group of high school teachers to read to give them some insight. Luckily it's a quick read.

Sex: A girl is pregnant, so sex is implied, as well as a single reference to a condom on the first page of the book. A girl has had sexual advances from her step father, although nothing graphic about the situation is disclosed. A boy is complimented in a bathroom by an older man, who also asks for a picture of the boy, and asks if he needs a ride anywhere.
Drugs: A boy is required to transport a backpack across town to pay a debt, and although not specifically stated, it may be assumed that the backpack contains drugs.
Language: Occasional swear word throughout.
Misc: The entire book just deals with struggles that teenagers go through, so overall it seems very stressful to me. When I was done reading it I felt like I needed to take a deep breath and take stock of what I have in my life.

[Jodi Kellogg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keesha's House is a beautifully written novel about seven teenagers whose lives became complicated much too soon for their age. Keesha is a very powerful girl who faces the world with bravery and with the idea of independence. She loves her brother, she has a good heart, and she is very observant. Stephie is a girl who has a perfect boyfriend, perfect family, good grades, and kindness as well. Her world is turned upside down when she gets pregnant and has to make the choice over her "perfect" life or becoming a mother. Jason is Stephie's boyfriend who is a successful basketball player and has high hopes for college. When he finds out that he will soon be a father, he must also make a choice between his basketball career and the girl and baby he loves. Dontay is a character that feels unloved and unwanted by everyone. He wants to become his own man and take care of himself because it's better than being treated like he doesn't matter. Harris realizes he likes boys and has to face his disapproving family and peers. Carmen lives with her grandma and must learn to overcome her addictive ways. Katie can't stand her mother's new stepfather who abuses her, so she leaves and has to learn to live on her own. All of these characters have a life-threatening issue and the one thing they have in common is Keesha's House.

I loved this YA novel and did not want it to end. I experienced an emotional rollercoaster as I read each character's thoughts and reactions towards their lives. I have always felt very passionately about children--no matter their age--who are entitled to a loving mother and father but who have been deprived such. Although I was surprised when the book ended, when I pondered on the whole book and each character, I felt comforted by the conclusion of Keesha's House. I would highly recommend this book for readers who like a quick novel where they can connect with the characters and receive closure by the end of the book.

[Rachel Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helen Frost creates a compelling story between young adults that weaves and intertwines each kids life as a set of events that happen interchangeable. While not all stories are directly linked, each kid has some connection to one another that links them throughout high school. One character, Keesha, is known for letting kids who are having a hard time come into the home she is staying at because she knows how hard life can be when no one seems to be there for you; even though she is a child herself. Each story is set in a poem format of sestina or sonnet but it reads like you would any other story.

With each kid comes either drugs, pregnancy, parental struggles, and/or alcohol but includes all of the concerns that kids in high school think about and believe to be the biggest hardships they will encounter. Frost enables not only the kids to talk about their perspectives but also the adults around them in order for the reader to have all of the information and can decide for themselves who is in the right or who doesn't have all the information yet. While "Keesha's House" doesn't end with a traditional happily ever after, it still offers explanations and backstory to let the reader decide who the characters will end up.

"Keesha's House" enables the reader to re-develop all of the feelings they had in high school hearing the many rumors, experiences, or stories that you or the people around you have had. It forces you to think what could be right and what our own biased experiences and perceptions create within the story we are reading. It was an exciting and yet emotional rollercoaster that forces you to relive memories that you had previously forgetting about. I wanted the story to have a a final ending where each character got the resolution they deserved but I love that I can now determine their fates myself when each character had to grow up too fast and can now be the "kid" again. I would recommend this book!

[Madelynn Shuler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keisha's house- a safe haven for teenagers with serious problems, addictions, and who feel abandon from their homes and society. Written in sestina and sonnet poems, Helen Frost reveals the raw and serious issue teenagers face in today's society. Stephie is pregnant, Jason (Stephie's boyfriend) has to decide between accepting to become a father or to finish school and a chance at a basketball scholarship for college, Harris is gay, Katie is abused at home and leaves to fend for herself, Dontay is chased out of the his foster parents house, Carmen has an alcohol addiction and caught on a DUI without a license, and Keesha leaves her alcoholic father and invites each child to stay at the safety house she found to live in. As each goes through the struggle of overcoming their issues and finding themselves, they all realize that life doesn't have to be stuck in their situations forever.

I loved reading Keesha's House. Helen Frost wrote excellently in using the two poetry forms to represent how the teenagers feel and how they grow in maturity as they handle each of their situations. It's beautifully written in connecting the characters' stories subtly throughout the book and how the parents aren't completely gone but are trying to help as best as they can while the reader gets to see the adults own struggles and opinions as well. It realistically deals with issues that occur in society (despite it being published 15 years ago) and accurately portrays how young adults can feel trapped, abandoned and alone. Best of all, it shows how these feelings and situations are not permeant and don't have to be. It doesn't have any language but does deal with controversial issues as a caution. I would not shy away from such a powerful book and would recommend it to anyone mature enough with the given cautions.

[Justice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keesha decides to leave home because her mother is verbally abusive and her dad is an alcoholic. She befriends a guy named Joe, who is very kind hearted and helps her by letting Keesha stay at his house. Moved my Joe’s kind heart, Keesha decides to pay it forward by helping her 6 friends: Stephie, Jason, Dontay, Carmen, and Katie, that are going through a rough time as well. The book tells many short stories of each character’s situation he/she has gotten into and how Keesha helps them by giving them that extra push to help them make the right decisions and to better their circumstances.

Circular Connections: This book will be required for every student in the class to read. After each chapter/ part in the book, I would give them a quiz to make sure the student has read the book and have a class discussion. After the deadline to finish reading the book, I would assign students to write a short poem telling a story or a personal event/experience the student has faced. Students who present their poem will be given extra credit.

§110.19. English Language Arts and Reading, Grade 7, Beginning with School Year 2009-2010.

(15) Writing/Literary Texts. Students write literary texts to express their ideas and feelings about real or imagined people, events, and ideas. Students are expected to:

(B) write a poem using:

(i) poetic techniques (e.g., rhyme scheme, meter);

(ii) figurative language (e.g., personification, idioms, hyperbole); and

(iii) graphic elements (e.g., word position).

(16) Writing. Students write about their own experiences. Students are expected to write a personal narrative that has a clearly defined focus and communicates the importance of or reasons for actions and/or consequences

[McNeil Inksmudge · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been the most fantastic book I've read since Frankenstein or Fahrenheit 451! It's got depth and human emotion, and reality and pain in it! It's crafted beautifully with it's rhyme and meter, and uses images and words that young readers can identify with. I found myself reflecting back to when I was in high school and facing problems, looking to run away and be accepted, or live on the streets. It's dirty, and cold, like sleeping on park bench feels. But the same warmth as a hot shower comes in the end when the characters find peace.
The book is about seven teens who each have an issue: drinking, pregnancy, being a foster kid, homosexuality, being a teen father in the conflict of a sports scholarship, parental alcoholism, parental molestation. Each of them you feel for, deeply. You even think, "This girl is getting raked over the coals for nothing!" and then realize that one mistake as a kid can do that for you. One mistake as an adult can too, but it seems like your superiors are exponentiated in number.
I really loved this book! It reminded me of the film, "Crash," and I loved it for the same humanistic elements. I will absolutely have my kids read it when they are in high school.

Language - probably one swear word. Surprising, considering the subject matter.
Sex - teen pregnancy and a step father makes a pass at his step daughter.
Violence - homosexual hate; blood mentioned concerning a pregnancy; a child molester attempts to get fresh with younger kids in a bathroom

This isn't a book for the sheltered - actually it is.

[Alexah Phillips · Rating 2 out of 5]

Keesha's house covers many different stories of teenagers lives. There are seven main characters whose stories all intertwine with one another at one point in the book. Each character struggles with something different, such as teenage pregnancy, alcohol abuse, being in the foster care system, dealing with death, coming out to your parents as gay, and preparing to become a teenage father. As each child tells the story from their point of view, you find each scenario very heart breaking. Through all of these trials there is a house that welcomes children on the street who need a home to stay in, and who also just need safety from their own homes. Through this house, the teenagers are able to find comfort in one another and brave their own conditions.
My thoughts on this book brings up negative emotions for me. I feel awful for those children who are put into circumstances that they would be willing to want, and even need to leave the comforts of their home. Parents also become a problem in this novel, and some parents also reach out to their child to let them know that they are not alone. I also found the influence of some of these parents very sickening. It's hard to imagine the real world outside of my home and where I go to school, that life can actually be this difficult for children. No child should ever have to feel the need to run away from home. I do think that when a child or even children run away from home because of any type of abuse, there should always be a safe haven no matter the circumstance.

[Sydney2adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book to be honest because it seemed like a quick read and it was. I was able to read it in less than an hour without skimming.
My overall response to this piece that it was a sad subject, but the writing could have possibly been better. The poems seemed hardly poems at all but short stories. I found at times the lines were broken up at weird intervals causing me to loose my rhythm and took me out of the novel. The subject matter was interesting, showing the kids at a specific high school that felt like they didn't have a safe home for various reasons: sexually abusive stepfather, parents that don't accept your sexual orientation, unreasonable foster parents, pregnancy, ect. It was fascinating to follow the path of these separate kids and not only see how they come together, but also witness the tragedy of a childhood stolen. No child should have to feel unsafe in their own homes and no teenager should have to worry about where they are going to lay their heads to rest. It's written for teens, but I almost feel like parents should read this book as well. It talks a lot about the delicate dynamic child-parent relationship, and actually features poems from the adults perspective.

Language: None that I noticed or can remember.
Sex: sex and sexual abuse are hinted at and referred to but not described.
Drugs: it talks mostly about delivering drugs as a way to earn cash, but no using.

[Taylor Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helen Frost's Keesha's House is not your traditional young adult book in the sense that it touches on the dark part of life that some children face. In her story told in poetic structure, Many are runaways with a different story: one who left an abusive father, a kid whose parents are in jail and is in the foster system, a girls whose mom married a abusive man, a girl who's pregnant but cant tell her parents, etc. It also gives a sneak peek into the lives of each character and what they are specifically going through. However, it does tell us from the authority or parent perspective as well. Showing us there is two sides. The big theme in this book is that everyone wants someone who cares and a safe place to call home. Keesha tells everyone who need help about this place and these kids now have a safe place.
I loved this book because it didn't skate around these topics and was told from a realistic standpoint of those who are in this situation. It detailed what some people have to do to be safe, warm, and fed. It taught me that not everybody is lucky enough to have a good home life and we should not turn away from those who don't. When you strip everything, the needs boil down to this : food, shelter, friends, love, and a place to shower. I would recommend this book 10/10 because these types of problems are things that kids go through today and I believe that we should not ignore this in literature.
10/10 would recommend.

[Kaylea Southwick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by this book! When I found out that it was written in poetry format, I was a little bit concerned because that was not the typical style of writing that I was familiar with, or even enjoyed. This book, though, takes us through several different stories of children growing up in high school and their life struggles that they are facing. Keesha is one of the characters who lives with a man named Joe where the house is a safe haven of sorts, and each of the kids in the story at one point or another are affected by Keesha and her willingness to allow for the children to stay there with her. For the most part, the kids are running away from problems, and just need a bed to sleep on. The poetry format allows for deep emotional thoughts and connections to be made without the use of many words or lines.
I really enjoyed this book. I think that having read it, I can now be more aware of the circumstances that many of the children are facing. Despite their hard times, one of the things I really enjoyed from the book is the fact that the kids end up stronger in spite of their challenges. They are almost forced to grow up too soon, but by doing so, they have a different outlook on life. Being a future teacher, I love that I have this book under my belt, and hopefully in my library because in the case that there are students with struggles, they can know that there are characters or stories similar to theirs.

[Abby]

The theme of this book is be brave and work hard