Little Yellow House: Finding Community in a Changing Neighbourhood

by Carissa Halton

"Ma'am, you sound like a very reasonable person. Can I advise you to just move?" Carissa Halton and her young family move into a neighbourhood with a tough reputation. As they make their home in one of the oldest parts of the city, she reflects on the revitalization that is slowly changing the view from her little yellow house. While others worry about the area's bad reputation, she heads out to meet her neighbours, and through them discovers the innate beauty of her community. Halton introduces us to a cast of diverse characters in her Alberta Avenue neighbourhood―including cat rescuers, tragic teens, art evangelists, and crime fighters―and invites us to consider the social and economic forces that shape and reshape our cities.

Genres: Canada, Memoir, Nonfiction

176 pages, Paperback

Published August 20, 2018

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting look at the Alberta Avenue neighbourhood here in Edmonton, AB.
Ms. Halton and her family make this area their home and from the time they move in she is very invested in their life there. It's more than just stucco and and a yard - there are people and events that shape the community. Alberta Avenue has not been a real "gotta live there" neighbourhood but it's affordable for a young family. There are also people who've lived there for many years and have seen the changes. This is an area where drug houses, prostitutes and crime can be overwhelming. And yet folks are moving in and doing the best they can to carve out a welcoming community for themselves and others. Honestly it's not been easy nor have changes been quick to happen. There are now at least 2 festivals there every year (I've attended both and I don't live there), artists, ethnic diversity and young families.
I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the plight of older communities and how they can adapt to a growing and changing city.

[Ann Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A warm and honest memoir that is positively infused with empathy and that does a great job of connecting the dots between the personal and the political (but in a subtle, small-p kind of way).

[Jeanne Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book had me grinning, then laughing out loud, and then it gripped me so that I thought I might read it to the end in one sitting. And then one chapter was so heart-breaking that I had to put it down and think about it for a bit. This is a well-written, enjoyable, and thought provoking tour of the author's neighbourhood and her diverse neighbours that will likely get you thinking about your own neighbourhood in new ways.

[Jerri · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good but a little too graphic in some parts

[Peyton · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Little Yellow House” explores the meaning of community in an Edmonton neighbourhood. It is a collection of stories about the experiences that Halton has had in her little yellow house. Some of the stories are sad, while others are uplifting and give hope for the human race. It is a wonderful read and really made me think about life in Alberta.

I have not lived in Edmonton, but I have stayed there a couple of times. I do not like big cities. I am a country girl where any place with over two thousand people is too big for me. I grew up on a five acre property on a dirt road because no one wanted to pay to get it paved, and it is still the only dirt road in my village. I come from an area of thrifters who are always friendly and help each other out. We have a good sense of community and most people know most everyone else.

I got the same close-knit vibe in “Little Yellow House”. There is a clear sense of community, which I find surprising to think exists in such a huge city. It is great to read about how Halton found connections through school and library programs and how she worked with her neighbours. The stories are amusing and thought-provoking. I particularly enjoyed the one where she stood up to someone trying to throw trash in their alley. It was good to read about someone willing to defend their neighbourhood. I wish that I knew of more cases where people fought for the life they want.

Halton also does a great job of writing about the not-so-great situations on Alberta Avenue. She goes in with minimal bias and a huge sense of wanting to help. She is not degrading and tries to be understanding and helpful. It is a fresh look at over-discussed issues. It is a great way to start a discussion about other cities and how they might be helped.

I highly recommend “Little Yellow House” to be read by everyone. Although some of the situations may not be happening in your neighbourhood, they exist in every town. It is a great way to start important discussions and see some of the solution that were offered. The light writing style and short amount of pages make it a quick read.

[Jo Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are a warm and uplifting collection of essays brought together to give us a memoir style book where Carissa Halton’s strength, determination, integrity and kindness leap from the pages. I’m very grateful to the people who allowed Carissa to share their stories alongside her own.

I’m far from Alberta Canada yet so much sounded so familiar and so much sounded so alien. I wanted to move right in beside her though, her family, her neighbours and friends sound like wonderful people who have achieved great things, I had tears in my eyes, pain in my heart and a smile and a laugh on the way. I kept thinking it takes a village to raise s child and it takes a town to make a community.

Thoroughly enjoyed the narration by Marysia Bucholc, in fact I had to make check as I thought it was narrated by the author.

Thank you to NetGalley and ECW Press audio for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in return for an honest review.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having lived in Edmonton for nearly 8 years (excuse me what?) my knowledge of the neighbourhood Carissa writes about was "this is not a safe part of the city, don't go there". This book really challenged my thoughts on so called "less desirable" neighbourhoods and painted a wonderful picture of what community looks like in places that many tend to avoid. Throughout the book she addresses challenges that her community faces such as drug use and prostitution and while she does not provide solutions to these problems, she describes them and the effects on her community in a non-judgemental way. I also greatly appreciated her acknowledgement at the end of how "gentrification is the new colonialism" and how families like hers, while looking to build a safe community to be proud of risk pushing out the people who make it so unique in the first place.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet series of nonfiction essays that, intertwined, explore what it is like to live in a struggling but revitalizing neighbourhood in Edmonton. The memoir style is approachable and some difficult issues like drug houses, the sex trade, and the relationship between social service organizations and the community are explored. Often no clear solution or resolution is given but the conversation is opened. This is a deeply hopeful book, perhaps even overly sunny in the author’s willingness to deal with the grit of her neighbourhood head on (she reads as an eternal extrovert!), but ultimately it is uplifting and invites one to view some of our more difficult urban spaces in a new way. Highly recommended for anybody who lives in, visits, or cares about a city!

[Bev Randers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carrisa and her young family move into a neighbourhood with a tough reputation. As they make their home in one of the oldest parts of the city, she reflects on the revitalization that is slowly changing the view from her little yellow house. While others worry about the area's bad reputation, she heads out to meet her neighbours, and through them discovers the innate beauty of her community. Halton introduces us to a cast of diverse characters in her AB Ave. neighbourhood - including cat rescuers, tragic teens, art evangelists, and crime fighters - and invites us to consider the social and economic forces that shape and reshape our cities.

[Tracey Smith · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have the audiobook version of this title, and while the topic seemed interesting and the synopsis seemed interesting. the narrator was dull and monotone, and I just couldn’t get into this book. I made it to the halfway point and decided I didn’t feel like I wanted to continue. I may pick up the print version of this book at a later date because I really did want to read it and learn about life in Canada and how it’s different from where I live.

[Sureyya_nur · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author does a wonderful job of painting a different perspective on Alberta Avenue. This was such a nostalgic read.

What struck me as odd when talking about the Mustard Seed organization was that the author writes that ‘the organization moved from a church of life to a service agency where the hierarchy of power…existed,’ but this metaphor fails since churches are themselves hierarchical institutions…

[Paula Kirman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of snapshots of inner city life, written first hand by a woman who moved to a the Alberta Avenue neighbourhood in Edmonton with her family. Halton portrays the people, situations, and life of the inner city that those who live elsewhere or who never venture there likely do not realize exists.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I spotted this book and was quick to buy it as I spend majority of my days in the alberta ave neighborhood that these beautiful stories take place in. It was tenderly written, and I could feel myself inside each story being told. A very enjoyable read, that brought many smirks and thoughtful moments

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. A great and candid peek into a family's life in one of the less desirable neighborhoods in Edmonton. As someone who has contemplated moving into the neighborhood, it gave what I thought was a fair view of the best parts and the hardest parts of living there. The stories were well written and very enjoyable to read.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I live nearby, and found this to be very heartfelt and insightful. The author’s voice and stories are a gift. I’m certain these themes can be transferred to other cities and highly recommend learning about the people in the author’s neighbourhood so that we might encourage more community wherever we live.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really lovely collection of essays about life, and challenges in Edmonton's Alberta Avenue district. This book was engaging and easy to read. The lessons about community, neighbourhoods and family definitely apply to people beyond Edmonton too.

[Darren B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes when you move to an older, somewhat rundown neighborhood, you look at it as a stepping stone to bigger and better things. This book reminds us that our neighborhood may not always be perfect, but it’s how we see ourselves in it that makes it our community.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an interesting book about living in the inner city of Edmonton. It is part biography of the neighbourhood and part memoir of twenty years of living there.

Well worth your time if such topics interest you. It's also a quick read.

[Al Hoeft · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great little book that captures the spirit of a regenerating neighbourhood and the heart of community (re)development

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carissa writes beautifully, and tells a number of short but intricate stories of life in my home city. It's a great book.

[Kelly Macfarlane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable look at life in a "sketchy" Edmonton community.

[Joel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Like the neighbourhood it describes, it has so much character and bounces between humour and poignancy (leaning more on the humorous side). I highly recommend it.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the vision of community

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was expecting something different, but once I realized this was simply a collection of stories I realy enjoyed it. It was interesting to get a glimpse into a neighborhood that is so close to me.

[Emmilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an assigned reading for school, but what a captivating read! I'd advise anyone who is working in the human services field or related to read this book.

[Christa Van · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable!

[Gail Amendt · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the most part I enjoyed this collection of essays/memoir about the author's experiences living in one of Edmonton's oldest and least desirable inner city neighborhoods. She and her husband purchased their home their before they had children, attracted by its affordability and proximity to their jobs. They have chosen to remain there to raise their children, in spite of the downsides to the neighborhood. As her stories reflect, they have found that the good outweighs the bad, as the community slowly reinvents itself. This is a short book, and the author admits there is something missing from it - the stories of the recent immigrants who are coming into the neighborhood. Her excuse is that it has been more difficult to expand her social circle than she expected, as it takes time to establish trust with newcomers, but I feel she should have waited to publish this book until she had found a way to get those immigrant stories. It was a good book, but it could have been more.

[Laurie Callsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Little Yellow House, we meet the people of an inner-city neighbourhood that is so often looked upon with disdain, whose stories are often only told during their worst moments. Halton's deeply personal and nuanced writing made me laugh, made me cry, and challenged my assumptions and bias - all in the first few pages.
Little Yellow House will inspire you to connect more deeply and more meaningfully with your community.

[Jonah Dunch · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author shares entertaining and moving stories from her family's life in an inner-city neighborhood, which are at times dampened by limp and stilted prose. So-so as literature, pretty good as an Edmonton book.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book one Sunday afternoon and enjoyed every minute of it. So many lovely stories. It gave me hope that we really can build inclusive and healthy communities.