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A Duet for Home
Told from the perspective of biracial sixth-graders June and Tyrell, two children living in a homeless shelter. As their friendship grows over a shared love of classical music, June and Tyrell confront a new housing policy that puts homeless families in danger.
It's June’s first day at Huey House, and as if losing her home weren’t enough, she also can’t bring her cherished viola inside. Before the accident last year, her dad saved tip money for a year to buy her viola, and she’s not about to give it up now. Tyrell has been at Huey House for three years and gives June a glimpse of the good things about living there: friendship, hot meals, and a classical musician next door. Can he and June work together to oppose the government, or will families be forced out of Huey House before they are ready?
It's June’s first day at Huey House, and as if losing her home weren’t enough, she also can’t bring her cherished viola inside. Before the accident last year, her dad saved tip money for a year to buy her viola, and she’s not about to give it up now. Tyrell has been at Huey House for three years and gives June a glimpse of the good things about living there: friendship, hot meals, and a classical musician next door. Can he and June work together to oppose the government, or will families be forced out of Huey House before they are ready?
368 pages, Hardcover
First published April 5, 2022
148 people are currently reading
6093 people want to read
About the author
Karina Yan Glaser
20 books1,108 followersOriginally from California, Karina came to New York City for college and has stuck around for nearly twenty years. She has had a varied career teaching and implementing literacy programs in family homeless shelters and recruiting healthcare professionals to volunteer in under resourced areas around the world. Now as a mother, one of her proudest achievements is raising two kids who can’t go anywhere without a book. She lives in Harlem with her husband, two daughters, dog, cat, and house rabbit.
Karina is a contributing editor at Book Riot where she writes about children's books and her life as a reader.
Karina is a contributing editor at Book Riot where she writes about children's books and her life as a reader.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 567 reviews
March 21, 2022
Fans of the Vanderbeekers can rejoice. There is a new title from Karina Yan Glaser to read in April! You don't have to wait until September for the next Vanerbeekers book. This new release is set in the Bronx and Chinatown. At the center of this narrative is a homeless shelter for families called Huey House. June (short for Juniperi) and her little sister Maybelle arrive there with their mom after being evicted. They are a family in mourning for a father lost in a bicycle delivery accident. June's mother is depressed and barely has the energy to speak. June shoulders responsibility well beyond her years and is one of our narrators. The other narrator is a boy named Tyrell who has already been at Huey House for 1,275 days when June arrives. The two become friends and bond over music and a desire to overturn a new housing policy that will adversely affect other families like theirs. Readers will find a window into what it is like to be homeless and learn about ways that unjust policies might be addressed. As with the Vanderbeekers, the story includes pets and strong family connections. The author worked in the New York City shelter system right out of college. She observed the effects of a policy change like the one in the book firsthand. What we can definitely see in this book is that homeless families are not all alike. They have different challenges and cannot all be helped by cookie cutter application of a well-intended policy. We can all be more informed about what our city is doing to help the homeless and vote for candidates who have good ideas. We can also donate money, food, and services to our church Benevolent fund, a local food pantry, and/or a homeless shelter that specializes in family assistance. This book comes out on April 5. It would make an excellent classroom read aloud title.
Thank you to Clarion Books and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Clarion Books and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
July 10, 2022
All of the characters in this book are relatable, both the children and the adults. I fell in love with so many of them. There are many characters in this book and it was easy to keep track of all of them.
Maybelle is a particularly memorable character. She is the little sister but she makes a big impression. She is vegetarian, though not vegan, and not really completely vegetarian (though she doesn’t know it; I’m thinking of the gelatin in jelly beans, etc.) but she won’t eat anything that’s obviously meat. Given that neither her mother or her sister or anyone around her is vegetarian, and her young age, making that connection between the animals she loves and the food that gets eaten is impressive. I like how her older sister eats that way with her sometimes and at times provides their mother with the same meatless foods and makes sure that meat stays off her plate. Maybelle also loves dogs and is great with them. She is also a good watchdog for the environment. She is only six (most of the other main child characters are about eleven) but she holds her own.
The ending felt extremely rushed and quite a bit unrealistic but I liked how the kids took action for themselves and for others too. Kids empowered is a great thing to show.
I felt strong emotions while reading this and came close to tears several times.
A quote that I liked: “Home was a funny thing. You thought it meant one thing, only to discover that it meant something else entirely.”
At the end of the book there is a list of the music that appears in the book, all classical pieces.
In the main author’s note at the end of the book she writes about herself and the reader sees how she is supremely qualified to write this children’s novel. I was thrilled to find a likeminded person (a real child that she quotes) who also hated the book The Giving Tree . I cried even more reading the note than reading the book. Ms. G. is a favorite character of mine in the book and now I see that the author was a very similar real life person. The note is important. I had no idea how true to life/history the book’s story is. An author’s note about the Cantonese language used in the book is also included. I’ve loved this author’s Vanderbeekers books. I plan to read any books that she writes if they appeal to me in even the slightest way. She’s a treasure.
Highly recommended for families and teachers reading aloud for ages 6-12, and for independent readers. Recommended for kids who have financial struggles and/or family problems or know those who do too, though it depends on the child. This book could be uplifting or triggering or both. Despite the maybe too happy ending most of the story does not sugar coat the hard realities of being a homeless child, teen, adult, family, and realistically there is no real ending since the characters are aware that they don’t know what will happen in their futures.
This is an excellent story, and it’s often heartbreaking, occasionally humorous, and always heartfelt.
4-1/2 stars
Maybelle is a particularly memorable character. She is the little sister but she makes a big impression. She is vegetarian, though not vegan, and not really completely vegetarian (though she doesn’t know it; I’m thinking of the gelatin in jelly beans, etc.) but she won’t eat anything that’s obviously meat. Given that neither her mother or her sister or anyone around her is vegetarian, and her young age, making that connection between the animals she loves and the food that gets eaten is impressive. I like how her older sister eats that way with her sometimes and at times provides their mother with the same meatless foods and makes sure that meat stays off her plate. Maybelle also loves dogs and is great with them. She is also a good watchdog for the environment. She is only six (most of the other main child characters are about eleven) but she holds her own.
The ending felt extremely rushed and quite a bit unrealistic but I liked how the kids took action for themselves and for others too. Kids empowered is a great thing to show.
I felt strong emotions while reading this and came close to tears several times.
A quote that I liked: “Home was a funny thing. You thought it meant one thing, only to discover that it meant something else entirely.”
At the end of the book there is a list of the music that appears in the book, all classical pieces.
In the main author’s note at the end of the book she writes about herself and the reader sees how she is supremely qualified to write this children’s novel. I was thrilled to find a likeminded person (a real child that she quotes) who also hated the book The Giving Tree . I cried even more reading the note than reading the book. Ms. G. is a favorite character of mine in the book and now I see that the author was a very similar real life person. The note is important. I had no idea how true to life/history the book’s story is. An author’s note about the Cantonese language used in the book is also included. I’ve loved this author’s Vanderbeekers books. I plan to read any books that she writes if they appeal to me in even the slightest way. She’s a treasure.
Highly recommended for families and teachers reading aloud for ages 6-12, and for independent readers. Recommended for kids who have financial struggles and/or family problems or know those who do too, though it depends on the child. This book could be uplifting or triggering or both. Despite the maybe too happy ending most of the story does not sugar coat the hard realities of being a homeless child, teen, adult, family, and realistically there is no real ending since the characters are aware that they don’t know what will happen in their futures.
This is an excellent story, and it’s often heartbreaking, occasionally humorous, and always heartfelt.
4-1/2 stars
October 8, 2022
I had a feeling I would love this because I've read The Vanderbeeker series by Karina Yan Glaser and love those books so much. I was not disappointed at all! Glaser set A Duet for Home at a homeless shelter in the Bronx. We follow a few kids who live there and become close friends. Tyrell and Jeremiah have been there three years. June and her sister Maybelle have just moved in. This book gives a glimpse into some important topics surrounding homelessness, but through the eyes and perspectives of the kids. The city is soon implementing some new policies regarding housing for the homeless that will have some negative effects on those at Huey House. Tyrell and June are determined to do something about it.
Throughout the story music also plays a big part, which I love. June plays the viola and is very good. Tyrell heads up to a particular window at 8pm every day to hear the neighbor play classical music on her violin. Music is part of what brings these friends together and also gives them confidence to stand up for what they believe is right.
I thought this book had a ton of heart, some laughs, and addressed an important topic. It is my favorite kind of middle grade. I was not ready for it to be over when I finished. I would definitely recommend this book to others.
Throughout the story music also plays a big part, which I love. June plays the viola and is very good. Tyrell heads up to a particular window at 8pm every day to hear the neighbor play classical music on her violin. Music is part of what brings these friends together and also gives them confidence to stand up for what they believe is right.
I thought this book had a ton of heart, some laughs, and addressed an important topic. It is my favorite kind of middle grade. I was not ready for it to be over when I finished. I would definitely recommend this book to others.
September 7, 2021
I am a HUGE fan of the Vanderbeekers series, so I was thrilled to hear that the author has a standalone novel scheduled for April 2022. I requested an eARC from Edelweiss+ as soon as it was available and read it immediately. This wonderful story takes a look at the issue of homelessness in New York City while also focusing on family, community, and advocacy for social justice.
The story is told from the perspectives of June and Tyrell, two teens who live at Huey House, which is a family homeless shelter. June, her younger sister Maybelle, and their mom arrive at Huey House, unsure about their circumstances after being evicted from their apartment. Their mom is uncommunicative, so June has taken on caring for Maybelle, and she’s distraught when she learns she can’t bring her beloved viola into the shelter as instruments aren’t allowed. Tyrell and his mom have spent almost three years there, and he’s best friends with Jeremiah, who also lives there with his mom, and they attend the same nearby school. Tyrell’s mom has trouble keeping a job, and he’s content to stay at the shelter where he has a network of people who care about him. After a rocky start, June and Tyrell become friends and bond over a shared love of music. But the government is trying to force families out of Huey House and into different (and often unsafe) accommodations to get more homeless people off the street. The pair come up with an idea to draw attention to the government proposal but will anyone listen?
What I love most about the author’s books is how community plays such a huge role, and this story is no different. The residents and staff of Huey House support each other, and there are very tight bonds between several of them. The family support worker, Ms. G., is one of my favourite characters as she genuinely cares about the families who live there and wants to see them succeed. Although each family has serious challenges, hope also lives in Huey House, and the government’s plans threaten to destroy it. I love that readers will understand some of the politics behind homelessness, and these characters will also challenge the misconceptions many may have about homeless people. It’s a heartwarming story about a serious topic, where harsh realities aren’t sugar-coated but handled sensitively for a middle-grade audience.
I would highly recommend adding this book to your TBR list and pre-ordering it now.
*I do feel the recommended age (Gr. 3 to 7) is off as I know extremely few kids who can handle 368 pages in Gr. 3.
The story is told from the perspectives of June and Tyrell, two teens who live at Huey House, which is a family homeless shelter. June, her younger sister Maybelle, and their mom arrive at Huey House, unsure about their circumstances after being evicted from their apartment. Their mom is uncommunicative, so June has taken on caring for Maybelle, and she’s distraught when she learns she can’t bring her beloved viola into the shelter as instruments aren’t allowed. Tyrell and his mom have spent almost three years there, and he’s best friends with Jeremiah, who also lives there with his mom, and they attend the same nearby school. Tyrell’s mom has trouble keeping a job, and he’s content to stay at the shelter where he has a network of people who care about him. After a rocky start, June and Tyrell become friends and bond over a shared love of music. But the government is trying to force families out of Huey House and into different (and often unsafe) accommodations to get more homeless people off the street. The pair come up with an idea to draw attention to the government proposal but will anyone listen?
What I love most about the author’s books is how community plays such a huge role, and this story is no different. The residents and staff of Huey House support each other, and there are very tight bonds between several of them. The family support worker, Ms. G., is one of my favourite characters as she genuinely cares about the families who live there and wants to see them succeed. Although each family has serious challenges, hope also lives in Huey House, and the government’s plans threaten to destroy it. I love that readers will understand some of the politics behind homelessness, and these characters will also challenge the misconceptions many may have about homeless people. It’s a heartwarming story about a serious topic, where harsh realities aren’t sugar-coated but handled sensitively for a middle-grade audience.
I would highly recommend adding this book to your TBR list and pre-ordering it now.
*I do feel the recommended age (Gr. 3 to 7) is off as I know extremely few kids who can handle 368 pages in Gr. 3.
February 24, 2024
June, Maybelle (her younger sister) and her mother are residents at Huey House in New York City. Huey House is a homeless shelter for families. June's father has died and her mother has become catonic and stopped working and so the family finds themself in a new place that is full of surprises.
Tyrell, along with his best friend Jeremiah, have been at Huey House for three years. These boys are the pranksters that keep everyone on their toes. One of their pranks inadvertantly puts Maybelle in the direct line of fire and so the initial meeting between June and Tyrell isn't great.
But, she is in a new place with few friends, so June quickly finds herself hanging out with Tyrell and Jeremiah. June plays viola and her viola is the one tangible item that connects her to her father. The direct of Huey House, Ms. MacMillian (nicknamed MacVillain) does not allow any instruments in the shelter (not sure why), so Tyrell and Jeremiah help June find a solution.
The adults in the book are similar to the ones I experienced in my work at Covenant House Texas (a homeless shelter for adolescents between 16 - 21). You have some adults that really connect and have a great rapport (Ms. G); some that silently watch and offer sage aphorisms (Marcus); some that do their jobs and concern themselves with "success stories" only (MacMillian). It's not always pretty work, but it is rewarding and it teaches so many lessons in patience and compassion.
I think what really drew me into the story here is I loved my time at Convenant House. That is the reason I am now in public education. I loved working with those kids. I loved bringing books to share with them and showing them a love of language and poetry. I know it only takes one person to have an impact on a young life - one person. It's so rewarding when you can be that one person that keeps them positive and keeps them hoping.
Recommended by Joy at Brazos Bookstore
Tyrell, along with his best friend Jeremiah, have been at Huey House for three years. These boys are the pranksters that keep everyone on their toes. One of their pranks inadvertantly puts Maybelle in the direct line of fire and so the initial meeting between June and Tyrell isn't great.
But, she is in a new place with few friends, so June quickly finds herself hanging out with Tyrell and Jeremiah. June plays viola and her viola is the one tangible item that connects her to her father. The direct of Huey House, Ms. MacMillian (nicknamed MacVillain) does not allow any instruments in the shelter (not sure why), so Tyrell and Jeremiah help June find a solution.
The adults in the book are similar to the ones I experienced in my work at Covenant House Texas (a homeless shelter for adolescents between 16 - 21). You have some adults that really connect and have a great rapport (Ms. G); some that silently watch and offer sage aphorisms (Marcus); some that do their jobs and concern themselves with "success stories" only (MacMillian). It's not always pretty work, but it is rewarding and it teaches so many lessons in patience and compassion.
I think what really drew me into the story here is I loved my time at Convenant House. That is the reason I am now in public education. I loved working with those kids. I loved bringing books to share with them and showing them a love of language and poetry. I know it only takes one person to have an impact on a young life - one person. It's so rewarding when you can be that one person that keeps them positive and keeps them hoping.
Recommended by Joy at Brazos Bookstore
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2021
Karina Yan Glaser's "A Duet for Home" is a beautifully crafted novel about family and friendships found within the walls of a transitional housing unit called Huey House. The author drew on her experiences as a young woman working with a NYC shelter in the South Bronx to tell this realistic fiction story. The narrator duties are shared in altenating chapters by two extremely compelling characters: June and Tyrell. June has only recently arrived at Huey House with her mother and younger sister. After her father's recent death, June's mother has retreated into silence and depression, leaving June on her own to navigate their new home and help her sister Maybelle. Tyrell has been at Huey House for over 3 years. He and his best friend Jeremiah are like brothers, using their knowledge of every corner of the residence to pull off pranks on a grumpy neighbor and the even meaner center director. Tyrell and June form a friendship that at first is centered around their shared love of classical music. Soon however a new political policy threatens the stability and safety that they, and many others, have found at Huey House. Much As Yan Glaser did in her "Vanderbeekers' series" this story contains a multidimensional portrait of a slice of NYC, combining humor and emotion in a compelling tale which also encourages reflection on big topics such as homelessness, poverty, and social welfare programs. . I highly recommend "A Duet for Home" as an addition to elementary school and middle school libraries and classrooms.
January 18, 2023
A must read for our youth.
Homelessness is a very heartbreaking and sad part of our world. More children than we realize deal with it on a daily basis. This is a wonderful book to open up the discussion with our youth and teach them how to be caring and helpful to those in need.
Homelessness is a very heartbreaking and sad part of our world. More children than we realize deal with it on a daily basis. This is a wonderful book to open up the discussion with our youth and teach them how to be caring and helpful to those in need.
April 9, 2022
A story with dual perspective of two kids who live in the Huey House, a family homeless shelter in the Bronx.
June’s father was killed in a car accident and her mother stopped caring for her and her little sister. They just move in and she is full of anxious feelings. Tyrell has been at Huey House for over three years. He’s learned how to do so much during his time, like his new love of reading.
The two, other kids, and families unite together to fight for what is right. They are NOT invisible. They should not be forced out of the shelter to live in unstable housing, all because the shelter can get a cash bonus if they push families out quick.
A story of hope, heartbreak, passion, kindness, and compassion. Tears were shed. A touching #mglit read that all should read!
June’s father was killed in a car accident and her mother stopped caring for her and her little sister. They just move in and she is full of anxious feelings. Tyrell has been at Huey House for over three years. He’s learned how to do so much during his time, like his new love of reading.
The two, other kids, and families unite together to fight for what is right. They are NOT invisible. They should not be forced out of the shelter to live in unstable housing, all because the shelter can get a cash bonus if they push families out quick.
A story of hope, heartbreak, passion, kindness, and compassion. Tears were shed. A touching #mglit read that all should read!
April 18, 2023
This buddy-read with Mikayla had me craving lime jellybeans and a bestie visit. <3
I learned so much about certain cultures, lifestyles, and situations I didn’t know before (I’m ashamed to admit this is only the second book about homelessness I’ve read), but I also was drawn in by the beautiful and lifelike characters. And the wholesome kid life, lol. June, Tyrell, and Marcus were absolute favorites, and I’d like to be like Ms. G. when I grow up.
I was loving the world and characters so much that it was rather disappointing when the book sped up and ended so quickly. That was the only thing that took away a star for me.
In the end, it had me reflecting on the generosity that made my childhood just a little bit easier and on the ways I can help today.
I learned so much about certain cultures, lifestyles, and situations I didn’t know before (I’m ashamed to admit this is only the second book about homelessness I’ve read), but I also was drawn in by the beautiful and lifelike characters. And the wholesome kid life, lol. June, Tyrell, and Marcus were absolute favorites, and I’d like to be like Ms. G. when I grow up.
I was loving the world and characters so much that it was rather disappointing when the book sped up and ended so quickly. That was the only thing that took away a star for me.
In the end, it had me reflecting on the generosity that made my childhood just a little bit easier and on the ways I can help today.
September 20, 2022
I generally liked this, although I think even for middle grade the issue of housing policy is overly simplified and dulled down into obvious "good" and "bad" options. I'm also frustrated with the fact that the Good adults are beautiful/fashionable and the Bad adults are frumpy/phlegmy/ugly. It's a tired trope that needs to die.
May 27, 2025
This was such a cute read! I thought the author did a good job of making this a fun book for kids to read while weaving in difficult family situations. The kids’ reactions and emotions felt real and believable, and I appreciated that.
April 26, 2023
After adoring the Vanderbeerker series, I was excited to read this. I really loved seeing a kid's book that tackled hard things like homelessness, and how hard it was to live off other people's charity. I loved that she showed how hard it was that the people making the decisions weren't the ones affected. Ms. G was definitely the best. I loved her! All that being said, this book was not my favorite. While it covered some very important topics, it never really captured me. I never fell in love with the main characters, and by the end of it, I didn't really feel their victory either.
3.5 stars.
3.5 stars.
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March 30, 2022Fans of the Vanderbeekers can rejoice. There is a new title from Karina Yan Glaser to read in April! You don't have to wait until September for the next Vanerbeekers book. This new release is set in the Bronx and Chinatown. At the center of this narrative is a homeless shelter for families called Huey House. June (short for Juniperi) and her little sister Maybelle arrive there with their mom after being evicted. They are a family in mourning for a father lost in a bicycle delivery accident. June's mother is depressed and barely has the energy to speak. June shoulders responsibility well beyond her years and is one of our narrators. The other narrator is a boy named Tyrell who has already been at Huey House for 1,275 days when June arrives. The two become friends and bond over music and a desire to overturn a new housing policy that will adversely affect other families like theirs. Readers will find a window into what it is like to be homeless and learn about ways that unjust policies might be addressed. As with the Vanderbeekers, the story includes pets and strong family connections. The author worked in the New York City shelter system right out of college. She observed the effects of a policy change like the one in the book firsthand. What we can definitely see in this book is that homeless families are not all alike. They have different challenges and cannot all be helped by cookie cutter application of a well-intended policy. We can all be more informed about what our city is doing to help the homeless and vote for candidates who have good ideas. We can also donate money, food, and services to our church Benevolent fund, a local food pantry, and/or a homeless shelter that specializes in family assistance. This book comes out on April 5. It would make an excellent classroom read aloud title. *Review by Darla from Red Bridge*
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March 26, 2024If you liked Vanderbeekers, you'll likely enjoy this one - lots of similar themes.
August 11, 2023
Hello, everyone! This is another review about a book from one of my favorite authors, Karina Yan Glaser, hope you enjoy :)
Rating: 4.5
Summary : After the fatal car accident of June's father, the family was thrust into poverty and ended up in a homeless shelter called Huey House. At first, June can't believe it and hates the situation she finds herself in but, eventually, she warms up and makes friends. And, just when everything is going fine, a new policy to decrease the number of homeless people in NYC has drawn the attention of the residents of Huey House. June, her sister and her friends have to stop the policy from being passed before they end up in horrible apartment buildings for permanent housing!
What I Loved About This Book
1). The Awareness : The heavy topic of homeless children in NYC really brought their lives and their stories to the light! It was amazing seeing the characters trying to draw awareness to their situation, how they survived through it and what they did to help and support one another. I loved each and every character and how they were all truly invincible !
2). The Instruments : Throughout this whole book, I was examining each and every detail to try and see what was similar between the Vanderbeekers and the Huey House residents. For starters, the instruments were a big part of the story like Isa's violin is a big part of the Vanderbeeker series. It was really heartwarming seeing that Tyrell could .
3). Tyrell : I loved seeing how, at first, Tyrell wasn't so sure of himself (if you really, really looked ) and how he thought that being a criminal's son made him a criminal. He really didn't want to be seen as what his father was, because they were different people and I really could've cried during the scene where .
4). The Animals : Like I said earlier, another thing that reminded me of the Vanderbeekers were the animals! Even though the protagonist and her sister didn't have any pets, Maybelle couldn't get Nana out of her head . It was really sweet seeing the way that Maybelle really cared for animals and considered them above the pleasures of eating meat or even the way that she took to account the Earth and how plastic bottles weren't good for the environment; it was great to see that she cared so much at such a young age.
5). The Ending : I think my favorite part of all books is the ending! When the lesson is revealed and everyone comes together :) it was great seeing the ending of this story; it was a heartwarming experience feeling like I was there watching the Huey House residents on .
What I Didn't Like About This Book
It's not really about what I don't like about this book, but more like what ticked me off or bothered me in the story. The little details and the nuances that usually get overlooked are the ones that really bug me lol!
1). It sort of confused me, at first, how June knew that when she called Tyrell a "criminal" that he was hurt. He was already running but the book didn't mention him "running faster, swiping at his eyes" or any indication that June could visibly realize she had said the wrong thing. See, this is a little detail in the story that doesn't matter or change the plot at all, but it still bugged me, nonetheless.
2). June's emotions towards her mother were kind of confusing, because the author didn't straight out say the reason June as upset with her mother; this story also, kind of, reminded me of Natalie and her mother's relationship in The Science of Breakable Things (even though it wasn't the same it was similar in some parts).
3). I felt really bad to have been left hanging on Ms. G and Marcus' relationship! Obviously , they both had some (mild) feelings for each other but, at the end, nothing was really acknowledged concerning what they did to show each other how they felt about each other!
4). Other nuances and little details that don't matter also bugged me, but I can't really seem to remember all of them lol!
The Characters
1). Juniperi: June was an amazing protagonist! I love the tough-girl-who-builds-up--a-wall-around-herself trope, and the protectiveness of her sister was also pretty amazing too. I loved how she really became best friends with Tyrell in a matter of a week or two, and how they showed their friendship through helping and supporting each other. I don't "think" that June and Tyrell were squint-so-hard-you-can-barely-see-a-hint crushing on each other, but it doesn't matter bcs i dont think so.
2). Tyrell: This character was amazing! The traits of Tyrell can be seen in other characters from other stories that I love, so it was enjoyable seeing how, even though he looked tough on the outside, was really unconfident and unsure of himself on the inside! :) It was really nice seeing him grow throughout the story.
3). Jeremiah: This character was pretty cool! Even though he didn't have as much of an influence on the story that Tyrell did, he was still important and the story wouldn't have been the same without him. I like how he was a little more quiet, the exact opposite of Tyrell in some ways but they were still best friends; I love seeing those types of characters! :) It was also cool seeing how humble Jeremiah was with leaving and, even though , he didn't through a fit or erupt into a tantrum!
4). Maybelle: This quirky character kind of reminded me of a more mature version of Laney, even though she didn't run the show as much as the Vanderbeeker. It was really cool seeing how she loved animals, her sister and helping out, so much! It was great seeing her play a great role in the story and, even though she was young, it was great how she defied the expectations on a six-year-old, always helping out and not being too hard on being a little sister to June :)
5). Ms. G: Honestly, this woman was one of my favorite characters in this story! Everything about her, from her compassion to her love to the way she encouraged people with the most personal things is just amazing! It was heartwarming, and i could definitely see Ms. G as a real person :)
6). Domenika: Though tough on the outside, Domenika is pretty soft and loving and does many things for the main characters that help them grow in their character! :) It was great seeing her help Tyrell and June with their instruments!!
Content Overview
There's nothing bad for profanity, just the usual mild insults. There's barely any romance, just mentions of crushes, Stephanie hinting at crushing on Marcus and Marcus being oblivious to Stephanie's incessant hints and instead he's attracted to Ms. G. There's barely any violence, just mention of the guy Tyrell's dad shot and sometimes ppl beat on Marcus' chest out of rage and anger (mostly just Maybelle) but he doesn't fight back.
Special Shout-Out
Okay guys, I want to give a shout-out to Lusie!! Congratulations on being promoted as "Person of the Year" on Bookmarked; you're an amazing person, Lusie, and I'm glad ppl are encouraging you for it! :) Anywayyy that's mostly the only shout-out and thanks so much for reading love y'all byeeeeeeee
Rating: 4.5
Summary : After the fatal car accident of June's father, the family was thrust into poverty and ended up in a homeless shelter called Huey House. At first, June can't believe it and hates the situation she finds herself in but, eventually, she warms up and makes friends. And, just when everything is going fine, a new policy to decrease the number of homeless people in NYC has drawn the attention of the residents of Huey House. June, her sister and her friends have to stop the policy from being passed before they end up in horrible apartment buildings for permanent housing!
What I Loved About This Book
1). The Awareness : The heavy topic of homeless children in NYC really brought their lives and their stories to the light! It was amazing seeing the characters trying to draw awareness to their situation, how they survived through it and what they did to help and support one another. I loved each and every character and how they were all truly invincible !
2). The Instruments : Throughout this whole book, I was examining each and every detail to try and see what was similar between the Vanderbeekers and the Huey House residents. For starters, the instruments were a big part of the story like Isa's violin is a big part of the Vanderbeeker series. It was really heartwarming seeing that Tyrell could .
3). Tyrell : I loved seeing how, at first, Tyrell wasn't so sure of himself (if you really, really looked ) and how he thought that being a criminal's son made him a criminal. He really didn't want to be seen as what his father was, because they were different people and I really could've cried during the scene where .
4). The Animals : Like I said earlier, another thing that reminded me of the Vanderbeekers were the animals! Even though the protagonist and her sister didn't have any pets, Maybelle couldn't get Nana out of her head . It was really sweet seeing the way that Maybelle really cared for animals and considered them above the pleasures of eating meat or even the way that she took to account the Earth and how plastic bottles weren't good for the environment; it was great to see that she cared so much at such a young age.
5). The Ending : I think my favorite part of all books is the ending! When the lesson is revealed and everyone comes together :) it was great seeing the ending of this story; it was a heartwarming experience feeling like I was there watching the Huey House residents on .
What I Didn't Like About This Book
It's not really about what I don't like about this book, but more like what ticked me off or bothered me in the story. The little details and the nuances that usually get overlooked are the ones that really bug me lol!
1). It sort of confused me, at first, how June knew that when she called Tyrell a "criminal" that he was hurt. He was already running but the book didn't mention him "running faster, swiping at his eyes" or any indication that June could visibly realize she had said the wrong thing. See, this is a little detail in the story that doesn't matter or change the plot at all, but it still bugged me, nonetheless.
2). June's emotions towards her mother were kind of confusing, because the author didn't straight out say the reason June as upset with her mother; this story also, kind of, reminded me of Natalie and her mother's relationship in The Science of Breakable Things (even though it wasn't the same it was similar in some parts).
3). I felt really bad to have been left hanging on Ms. G and Marcus' relationship! Obviously , they both had some (mild) feelings for each other but, at the end, nothing was really acknowledged concerning what they did to show each other how they felt about each other!
4). Other nuances and little details that don't matter also bugged me, but I can't really seem to remember all of them lol!
The Characters
1). Juniperi: June was an amazing protagonist! I love the tough-girl-who-builds-up--a-wall-around-herself trope, and the protectiveness of her sister was also pretty amazing too. I loved how she really became best friends with Tyrell in a matter of a week or two, and how they showed their friendship through helping and supporting each other. I don't "think" that June and Tyrell were squint-so-hard-you-can-barely-see-a-hint crushing on each other, but it doesn't matter bcs i dont think so.
2). Tyrell: This character was amazing! The traits of Tyrell can be seen in other characters from other stories that I love, so it was enjoyable seeing how, even though he looked tough on the outside, was really unconfident and unsure of himself on the inside! :) It was really nice seeing him grow throughout the story.
3). Jeremiah: This character was pretty cool! Even though he didn't have as much of an influence on the story that Tyrell did, he was still important and the story wouldn't have been the same without him. I like how he was a little more quiet, the exact opposite of Tyrell in some ways but they were still best friends; I love seeing those types of characters! :) It was also cool seeing how humble Jeremiah was with leaving and, even though , he didn't through a fit or erupt into a tantrum!
4). Maybelle: This quirky character kind of reminded me of a more mature version of Laney, even though she didn't run the show as much as the Vanderbeeker. It was really cool seeing how she loved animals, her sister and helping out, so much! It was great seeing her play a great role in the story and, even though she was young, it was great how she defied the expectations on a six-year-old, always helping out and not being too hard on being a little sister to June :)
5). Ms. G: Honestly, this woman was one of my favorite characters in this story! Everything about her, from her compassion to her love to the way she encouraged people with the most personal things is just amazing! It was heartwarming, and i could definitely see Ms. G as a real person :)
6). Domenika: Though tough on the outside, Domenika is pretty soft and loving and does many things for the main characters that help them grow in their character! :) It was great seeing her help Tyrell and June with their instruments!!
Content Overview
There's nothing bad for profanity, just the usual mild insults. There's barely any romance, just mentions of crushes, Stephanie hinting at crushing on Marcus and Marcus being oblivious to Stephanie's incessant hints and instead he's attracted to Ms. G. There's barely any violence, just mention of the guy Tyrell's dad shot and sometimes ppl beat on Marcus' chest out of rage and anger (mostly just Maybelle) but he doesn't fight back.
Special Shout-Out
Okay guys, I want to give a shout-out to Lusie!! Congratulations on being promoted as "Person of the Year" on Bookmarked; you're an amazing person, Lusie, and I'm glad ppl are encouraging you for it! :) Anywayyy that's mostly the only shout-out and thanks so much for reading love y'all byeeeeeeee
August 1, 2022
This was sentimental and the characters were sweet to one another. It's been hard for me to truly love the middle grade I've been reading this year, so this fits that same category that I liked it but I didn't love it. I wanted to fall for the characters more. There was nothing inherently wrong about this book, but I expected everything that happened and the ending was a bit hard to believe. I think the characters just weren't complex enough for my liking.
February 1, 2022
Fans of Glaser's Vanderbeekers series are in for a treat. Here Glaser tackles some serious topics (homelessness, of course, but also parental incarceration, depression, neglect, etc.), but in such a hopeful, uplifting way that is perfect for middle-grade readers.
*Thanks to Netgalley, Edelweiss, and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
*Thanks to Netgalley, Edelweiss, and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
October 4, 2022
A powerful middle grade story about homelessness and found family. I have loved every one of Yan Glaser’s Vanderbeeker stories, so was very excited to read her work outside of that series and Duet for Home did not disappoint. The story is set in a Brooklyn family homeless shelter and features some seriously tough kids who rise above their tough lives. The classical music storyline added extra depth and makes this an excellent MG / adult pairing with “The Violin Conspiracy” by Brendan Slocum. For another MG read about homelessness to pair this with, try “No Fixed Address” by Susan Nielsen. Librarian note: due to the ages and maturity of the characters, this seems like it best fits grades 3-6.
Source: owned paper copy
Source: owned paper copy
August 13, 2024
I thought this book went a little slow at times. The villain of the home was given a hatred beyond reason of musical instruments that seemed a bit farcical. Who would throw away musical instruments if found on the premises? And then it never became an issue, so all the sneaking around seemed a bit superfluous to the story. The other villains, the politicians and such, weren't all that villainous. They have a huge problem and they need to get people into houses where they have shelter. The residents at Huey house don't want to leave until they are ready, and that is completely understandable, but there are so many more families waiting for shelter that it seems like there is a good reason to try to get people into housing. I don't see that there are many options for anyone. The title of the book and the blurb made it seem like music was going to be a much more important part of the story than it was. I honestly don't see why this was an award winner for this year. The part that moved me to tears was the letter Tyrell received. His story was very compelling, but he definitely shouldn't have been at that house for so long. Both protagonists have absent parents for different reasons, but at least June's mom is able to grow past the grief. I despair of Tyrell's mom ever growing up. This book might appeal to the lower end of the middle grade spectrum.
Content notes: child neglect, parent in prison, parent dead
Content notes: child neglect, parent in prison, parent dead
April 7, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. Opinions are my own.
I've loved all of the Vanderbeekers and was so excited to read the new book by Karina Yan Glaser's newest stand alone novel. I was not disappointed. This book deftly tackles some tough topics-homelessness, death of a parent, an incarcerated parent and mental health. None of these are covered in a heavy-handed way but deals with the emotions and effects of these issues. This book also details the effects that a strong emotional support systems gives all of us when dealing with tough times. Whether you've already loved the Vanderbeekers or this is your introduction to Karina, you won't regret this read.
I've loved all of the Vanderbeekers and was so excited to read the new book by Karina Yan Glaser's newest stand alone novel. I was not disappointed. This book deftly tackles some tough topics-homelessness, death of a parent, an incarcerated parent and mental health. None of these are covered in a heavy-handed way but deals with the emotions and effects of these issues. This book also details the effects that a strong emotional support systems gives all of us when dealing with tough times. Whether you've already loved the Vanderbeekers or this is your introduction to Karina, you won't regret this read.
March 24, 2023
You know what I love most about this author? How she always manages to write a fun and engaging story with memorable characters. You know what else? She writes about topics that can sometimes be difficult and she writes them in the best way. I’m honestly in awe of what she did here. I chose to go into this book without knowing what it was about. I was very surprised by what I read but I also knew that she’d write it better than anyone else.
May 27, 2022
An eye-opening look at homelessness everywhere but especially in NYC. It made me think about how more government involvement/programs aren't usually the answer. Also how to better love my fellow man. Loved the role music played.
October 7, 2024
I really enjoyed this book about a group of kids living in a homeless shelter. It would be a great book for any student who enjoys realistic fiction. Grades 5-8
December 31, 2023
Ok here’s my review. This book was absolutely amazing. It’s told from the perspective of two pre teens June and Tyrell. June has been told by the EAU that she has to move to a homeless shelter named Huey House along with her little sister and her mum. She lost her dad who has saved up for her viola by working countless shifts and so when she was told no instruments were allowed she was obviously distraught. But Marcus the security being a real one said let me sneak it in and he is an amazing character let me tell you. He looks out for everyone at the shelter and honestly is super nice. Tyrell has lived at the shelter for 3 years with his best friend Jeremiah and he loves living there and has plans to move out with him when they turn 18. They eventually become friends through a prank they meant to pull on someone else but she ended up getting caught in it and she was obviously unhappy. But due to them she also found a place to practise her viola. They form a great friendship but the problem is that the government have made policies that force people to move out in 90 days and they are often put in terrible housing plus when people aren’t even in a stable financial position. The housing director Ms G also known as Ms Gonzalez is super considerate about the situations of families and she is just a really nice person to be around. I mean she buys people who have moved in their favourite food what is not to like about her?? Anyways this books was super fun to read and sad but I love the way the characters each had their individual stories and we found more about them along the way. It’s a book that depicts how music can bond others and also get them through tough times. I love the resilience of the characters and how they each develop along the way. I wanted the ending to be a bit more impactful though that’s my only issue about it though 4 stars
November 30, 2024
very sweet and lovely; i should be reading more books about the housing crisis and i love that this one is for kids, with such great and kind characters too!
February 12, 2025
Actually pretty good but the ending with the mayor was so unnatural 😭
November 30, 2022
The ending was to abrupt for my liking, but over all, this is an excellent book to get younger kids (and adults too!) thinking about the complex issues of homelessness and poverty.
August 1, 2022
KARINA YAN GLASER CAN DO NO WRONG, & i am - of course - WEEPING AT THIS ENDING. my first job out of school was also in the social service arena, specifically around homelessness, & this book just WAS A GIANT TUG on my heart strings. thank you & good day.
April 10, 2023
This book was written with so much love, that I couldn’t help but fall in love with it 🥹.
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