Hotel Oscar Mike Echo

by Linda MacKillop

2024 Christianity Today Book Award Finalist — Young Adults


Home isn’t always what we dream it will be.  

Eleven-year-old Sierra just wants a normal life. After her military mother returns from the war overseas, the two hop from home to homelessness while Sierra tries to help her mom through the throes of PTSD.  

When they end up at a shelter for women and children, Sierra is even more aware of what her life is not. The kind couple who run the shelter, Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin, attempt to show her parental love as she faces the uncertainties of her mom’s emotional health and the challenges of being the brand-new poor kid in middle school. The longer she stays at the shelter, the more Sierra realizes she may have to face an impossible choice as she redefines home .

This middle-grade novel offers a compassionate look at poverty, homelessness, and hope. Readers walk alongside brave Sierra as she holds on to a promise she believes God gave that one day she will have a real home. But what if that promise looks far different than she has ever dreamed? 

Genres: Middle Grade, Fiction, Childrens

224 pages, Paperback

Published June 6, 2023

About the author

As a creative nonfiction writer and fiction writer for both adults and young people, Linda MacKillop's articles and essays have appeared in books, magazines, and literary journals such as Under the Sun and Relief Journal. The Forgotten Life of Eva Gordon is her debut novel and winner of The Christy Award for First Novel. Her middle grade novel, Hotel, Oscar, Mike Echo, was a finalist for the Christianity Today Book Awards for Young Adults. She earned her M.F.A. in Creative Writing at the Rainier Writing Workshop in Tacoma, Washington. As the mother of four adult sons, she and her husband live in an empty nest outside of Chicago. Visit her website at lindamackillop.com.

Reviews

[Rachel Marie Kang · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was simply brilliant and stunning. Sierra is charming, and I loved her humor, her quirks, her traumas, her journey to trust, and being able to wander through her interior world.

Loved the characters, loved the history and truths woven into and through Sierra's story, and I appreciate the safe exploration of heavy themes (PTSD, homelessness, foster care, history of slavery) tackled and successfully brought to light. Especially thankful for the story's ending. It was raw, real, and yet still filled with hope.

This is a story, but it's also a resource — and so many times while reading, I stopped to ponder: I wish I had this book when I was a teen. I know so many will benefit from meeting Sierra. Have already started recommending it to people I know who work with youth, and eager to continue to do so.

[Catherine McNiel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not an expert on middle grade fiction, but this is such a tender story of longing for family, home, and wholeness. I appreciated the honest, compassionate yet age appropriate look at the PTSD, the cost of war, and the complexities of poverty....and the reminder that the only thing with doing in life is to love our neighbors and help each other get by.

[Paola Barrera · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not much of a fiction reader, but I will periodically choose to read a work of fiction to learn and enjoy from writers whose creative work makes me curious. I’m so glad I was curious Hotel Oscar Mike Echo by Linda MacKillop.

The word home appeared several times in the synopsis of this middle grade book, along with PTSD mentioned once. Home is always a theme I’m interested in exploring. The mention of trauma in a novel for kids got my attention.

We’re introduced to Sierra, an eleven-year-old who must grow up faster than her years to help her military mom cope with mental health issues. Issues that bring them to a state of homelessness and poverty.

More than once my eyes welled up watching how diverse characters display compassion that was inviting and convicting. The state of being homeless is a theme that shifts alongside the definition Sierra gives to the word home. It’s poignant, hopeful, and beautiful.

This was such a lovely read. A meaningful story delivered in a gentle creative manner. It touches on hard issues, weaving faith alongside. Highly recommend to all—adults and kids alike:) For parents, I’m sure this makes a wonderful book to read together with your kids.

[Malia Wong · Rating 5 out of 5]

*4.5
I went into this Middle Grade pretty blind, but I absolutely loved it. This book discusses what happens when veterans come back home with PTSD, as Sierra and her mom move constantly and her mom is not able to be the mother Sierra needs her to be. My heart went out to Sierra from the first page, as she tries to hold everything in, make friends at school, be a good girl in their new Home, and care for her mom all at the same time. The Goodwins are classic parental figures to Sierra and even her mother, creating an environment of structure and discipline, but most importantly, stability and safety. All too often, our vets don't get the support or treatment they need and this book showed one way that the consequences could evolve into. This book also touches on racism in the history of America. I would have personally liked a bit more resolution at the end, but reality is not always resolved and I actually appreciated that.

Some beautiful non-spoiler quotes:
" How do you stop being mad about that?" I say, wringing my handlebars like I'm squeezing someone's neck.
"I focus on what I can do to help people. Takes my mind off the mad on many days. I've been given a little area in the corner of the city the size of an old school I can care for all the people who cross our doorstep, even if I can't care for everyone in the whole city."

"Yes, God should keep His promises. And He always does keep His Promises. If it's from Him, you just haven't seen it come true yet," he says. "Some Promises take a long time to show up, 'darlin," he says. "You keep waiting and watching. Don't give up. And in the meantime, you be brave, girl.... Just remember, Sierra, that our enemies aren't always covered in flesh and bone. Sometimes our enemies are even inside of us."

"...When people care, they have to say the hard things to each other sometimes. Keeping the truth inside when it could help someone get better isn't real love."

[Judy Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been a while since I’ve read a middle-grade novel, and I didn’t know quite what to expect but after the first 10 or 15 pages, I was into it, caught up in the story, and read it with interest.
But, since I’m not the target audience, I decided to give it to my 12 year old grandson. He read it in 48 hours and said he loved it, which my daughter said was impressive because it usually takes a little pushing to get him to finish a book. He said it inspired him to try to understand what’s going on in other people’s lives.
Sierra, her mom, friends and the Godwins all had different experiences and Linda MacKillop did an excellent job of telling a story that respected their perspectives. She tackled some difficult issues, and she did it with grace and truth.
I heartily recommend this book for anyone, middle grades or older.
(I read an advance copy, and the opinions are all mine.)

[Natalie Nyquist · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I opened this book with no idea what I was getting into, the first page pulled me in and wouldn't let me go. Heartbreaking yet gentle and appropriate for middle grade readers, Hotel
Oscar Mike Echo grapples with homelessness for children, parents with mental illness, and poverty. I'm impressed with the author's ability to deal with such tough issues while portraying the beautiful courage of 11-year-old Sierra. Middle grade readers could tackle this on their own, or it could be read aloud with minimal modifications to younger kiddos. A bittersweet and lovely reminder of the reality of life for so many.

[Marie Chan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Linda MacKillop has written a unique middle-grade novel that honestly confronts the complexities of the inner conflicts children experience when a parent suffers from PTSD. As a leader of a trauma-informed parenting support group for adoptive and foster families, I am encouraged to see such a well-written middle grade book that authentically addresses families in transition homes and foster care.

Children who are dealing with a turbulent and chaotic home life or homelessness can use this book as a springboard to discuss and process their mixed emotions. This book voices the struggles of vulnerable children, such as the role reversals of a child having to assume adult responsibilities and the fears that arise from neglect. These children may relate to Sierra's experience of feeling torn between allegiance to her mom and her longing for a safe and secure home.

This book will instill empathy in readers, while offering hope and healing in a genuine and loving Christian community.

[Stephanie Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think, that if I were writing this book, I’d have cried through the entire thing. From the beginning I was captured by 11-year-old Sierra. She’s brave and she’s kind as she deals with the intense fallout of her mom’s PTSD. Linda MacKillop handles the issues so delicately and honestly. I felt every single emotion from Sierra. I wish that every single child and parent struggling with homelessness would have a place like Koinonia House, and people like Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin to take them in and love them. I loved this book.

[Cara Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Linda MacKillop has found her sweet spot! My boys LOVED this book. Total cliffhanger in the best way possible.

[Sharla Fritz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once I started reading Hotel Oscar Mike Echo, I couldn't stop. This story about eleven-year-old Sierra and her single mom struggling with PTSD after returning from military service tugged at my heart.

When the mother and daughter end up in a transitional home, it reminded me of a place where I volunteered. Places like this give people a second chance to become healed and whole.

The story gave me empathy for people struggling through dark days and I found myself wanting to give Sierra a hug and tell her everything would be OK. Hotel Oscar Mike Echo reminded me that we all have broken places. Maybe we can be like the Goodwins in the story and be the ones to share a bit of grace.

Your middle-grade reader will love it, but you will too and it can spark some wonderful conversations.

[Emily Enger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This beautiful Christian Middle-Grade story deals with hard issues like homelessness and PTSD. The 11-year-old protagonist, Sierra, is a wonderful lead character to get to know. Her unique features, such as talking in the military alphabet and regularly pretending she is the host of a make-believe cooking show, make her feel very real--which makes her situation that much harder for readers to discover. Despite the difficult subject matter, the book is filled with hope. Sierra is waiting on a Promise. She believes something better is around the corner. I was impressed at how the author resolves that, with both optimism and realism. A great read!

[Lindsay Banton]

excellent. just go get it and read it.

[Christine Kindberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully compassionate and heart-growing MG novel! My copy is definitely a little tear-stained… I loved getting to know Sierra and cheering for her as she learns courage and compassion amidst hard circumstances. I really appreciated how the novel is honest about the anger and sadness Sierra feels at times, and I was grateful for the gentle warmth of Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin as they show Sierra a different way. A great read, especially for kids (of all ages) who want to grow in compassion and understanding toward families who live in shelters.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this middle grade novel, Sierra longs for a place to call home, but she faces continued upheaval due to her mother's wartime PTSD and struggles holding down a job. This story tackles a lot of tough issues, and it does so with grace and grit, telling the truth about how hard life can be without turning struggling people into villains or oversimplifying complex issues. Linda MacKillop portrays her young and grown-up characters with genuine complexity, good and bad days, and different ways of relating to people. They all feel authentic, and Sierra's first-person narrative voice rings true throughout the entire book. Adults can easily overdo a child's voice in fiction, but Sierra feels like a real person, showing a mixture of childlike innocence and bitter experience as she navigates her challenging life.

Hotel Oscar Mike Echo takes place in contemporary Richmond, Virginia, and the author gives a sense of how many Southerners talk without overdoing dialect in the narration or dialogue. She also handled racial themes in a sensitive way. For example, as Sierra learns hard things about Richmond's history, she relates ideas about justice and resilience to her own struggles, growing as a character based on the legacy of African American lament and perseverance. This doesn't feel like a preachy add-on, or like the author is just using Black suffering to prop up a white character's development. It's subtle and fits well with the unfolding story, as Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin minister to Sierra through their homeless shelter and invest in her life.

I don't want to say much about the plot itself, because I don't want to give things away, but I really admire how MacKillop handled the story. The ending is realistically open-ended, and even though many things remain unresolved, the story still feels complete because of the emotional journey Sierra has taken. Some Christian children's novels have rushed, pat endings, but this one embraces complexity and shows kids how someone can relate to God even while they are continuing to suffer. Also, because the faith themes feel like an authentic representation of people's lives instead of an author's soapbox, this book can also appeal to non-Christian readers who are interested in the social themes. This isn't just for fellow believers.

I would recommend this book to older elementary school students and up. Some more sensitive readers might benefit from reading this alongside a parent, especially if they or someone they love has gone through similar trials, but the book is age-appropriate throughout, with lots of great messages. This book can help and encourage kids who have experienced homelessness and/or have mentally unstable caregivers, and it can help other kids grow in compassion and awareness of what other people their age are going through. This book would make a great read-aloud or book club selection, and the book includes prepared book club questions in the back. I would recommend this to kids, teens, and adults, since the story is so well-written and touching that anyone can enjoy it.

I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Chevron Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the surface, Sierra Marshall is an ideal eleven-year-old. She makes friends easily and does well in school. She likes to pretend she’s a TV chef and that the light switch on the wall is the camera.

Unlike her peers, Sierra is homeless. Her mother, an Army veteran suffering from PTSD, drags her from one flop to another, unable to hold a job or cope with the trauma of her experiences in Iraq. She disappears for days at a time, leaving Sierra to manage on her own. Things take a hopeful turn when a homeless shelter accepts Sierra and her mother as residents. The question is, can they abide by the rules that will allow them to stay?

Told from Sierra’s viewpoint, Hotel Oscar Mike Echo is a child’s tale of survival. She copes with her rootless life by keeping souvenirs of the many places she’s lived. Her biggest fear is that her mother will ruin the security of a loving home by freaking out again and dragging her away from the Goodwins, a kindly couple who devote their lives to helping families like hers.

It’s very easy to root for a character like Sierra, whose good intentions clash with her mother’s bad ones. The stigma of homelessness makes her the target of school bullies, but she surrounds herself with friends and comes to the rescue of other homeless children. Her eagerness to learn new things endears her to the Goodwins and school authorities who encourage her initiative to teach other kids what homelessness is like.

My only quibble with this book is that Sierra seems too mature for her age. Although she suffers bouts of anger and despair, it seems unlikely that a child would roll with the punches as well as she does. She’s just a little too good to be true. Nevertheless Hotel Oscar Mike Echo is an engaging story that I’m happy to recommend to readers of all ages.

[Amber Riggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of the best books out there are considered middle-grade fiction. Their authors manage to address complex issues and somehow simplify without oversimplifying. In the process, they give us both hope and courage.

This is what Linda MacKillop has done in Hotel Oscar Mike Echo. That spells HOME in the military alphabet. It follows 11-year-old Sierra as she tries to help her mom cope with PTSD...while navigating the homelessness that comes with it. It sounds intense, but Linda worked so many light and beautiful moments into it that hope is truly the prevailing emotion.

I've already read it, but now I'm reading it aloud while the girls fold laundry. Occasionally, we take breaks to discuss things like PTSD, military service, homelessness, divorce/single-parent families, racism, poverty, brokenness, healing, compassion, and the idea of home.

Actually, I plan to explore most of that over an end-of-book meal that features Giada DeLaurentiis' lasagna recipe ('cause this book makes you want to try it!) and maybe some broken dishes. And because Linda wrote it with a Jesus-centered lens, I'll get to work a "Teflon Blessing" in there, too.

I'm really picky about what books I read aloud to my kids. This one is just that rich. But even if you don't have kids, I highly recommend Hotel Oscar Mike Echo.

[Michele Morin · Rating 5 out of 5]

We were all designed with a longing for home, and eleven-year-old Sierra feels the lack deep in her bones through bouts of instability and even homelessness. Finally, though, life seems to be headed in the right direction when she and her military mum find their way to Koinonia House. Sierra begins to hope that her mother will learn to cope with PTSD, that she’ll find friends at school, and that, one day, she and her mum will live peacefully in a real home together.

Linda MacKillop’s three-dimensional characters and well-written dialogue contribute to a heartwarming story of struggle. She addresses huge issues including poverty, mental illness, bullying, and family dysfunction in words appropriate for a middle-grade reader, but never resorts to trite answers or formulaic plot devices.

Told in Sierra’s own voice, the storyline follows her growth process through disappointments and setbacks. Hotel Oscar Mike Echo is an invitation to the reader to walk bravely into our own challenges, to embrace the hope of a faithful God who Himself is the fulfillment of all our longings for home.

[M Stiffler · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 11 year old niece loves to read. Typically, she’s consuming science fiction or fantasy, but she recently picked up Hotel Oscar Mike Echo, and finished it at adventure camp. This is what she said: "I was turning pages until the counselor turned the cabin lights off. I loved Sierra, the book’s main character, right from the start. She’s 11 and I’m 11, so it was easy for me to imagine being friends with Sierra in real life. I appreciated the story’s unique situations and the roller coaster of emotions Sierra experienced - good days mixed with bad days, which is how life actually goes. I didn’t know anything about PTSD before reading Hotel Oscar Mike Echo. I talked to my parents about it while I was reading the book and I feel like I have a better understanding of PTSD and more compassion for the things people are going through that I might not know about. In spite of Sierra’s difficult circumstances throughout the story, this book focused on the good parts of life. It was happy and hopeful and I’ve already recommended it to my friends! I give this book five stars!”

[Elizabeth Daghfal · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I scratch the answer on the board to 83.47÷5, wishing my life could be solved by a division problem.”

11-year-old Sierra dreams of a “real nice home, with a stove where all the burners turn on and the bathroom always has hot water.” Instead, it’s much more likely that her mother will meet her at school with all their belongings jammed into the back of the car, looking for another place to crash.

Your heart will ache as this lonely girl lies awake, practicing speeches where she tells Mom “what it means to be a mom and how you don’t leave your kids alone and you feed them when they’re hungry. And speeches to Dad telling him how you don’t replace your children with other children.”

This book is hauntingly beautiful, both in story and language. So don’t let its middle grade designation fool you. It’s an incredible read whether you’re 10 or 110. The author writes with grace and hope.

But be prepared—There will be times you'll want to shake her mom silly for the weight she places on her daughter's 6th grade shoulders.

Thank goodness the Goodwins and their shelter are there.

[Prasanta Verma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a tender, poignant story which addresses some hard issues, such as poverty, homelessness, PTSD, and bullying. Sierra, the main character, is the daughter of a single parent who suffers from PTSD. Sierra's had some difficult things happen in her young life, but in her character, you see the hope and resilience of a child, as well as a girl who's had to grow up faster than usual. But Sierra also learns about hope, and she experiences the love and care of others in her life who walk some hard roads with her. It actually brought me to tears! The story is handled with compassion and in an age-appropriate manner, and it's not only a good story, but I also think it would be a helpful read for children who are going through some difficult circumstances. I would recommend this book to other young readers (or adults).

[Taryn Hutchison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hotel Oscar Mike Echo is a compassionate novel resounding with hope, even as eleven-year-old Sierra deals with adult issues like homelessness and PTSD. A kind-hearted couple show Sierra the love she yearns for and invite her to sit "right between them like a family sandwich, with me all warm and melting on the inside." MacKillop doesn't shy away from harsh realities while also infusing the story with lots of goodness, coming from people who prove to be true friends. Sierra is a brave and extremely likeable protagonist who readers will fall in love with, as I did. If you want a feel-good story or need a shot of empathy, this is the book for you. I highly recommend it.

[Sara Easterly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tender story of a young protagonist, Sierra, in search of home and what home means in the midst of some heartbreaking family circumstances. MacKillop touches on themes of addiction, abandonment, post-war trauma for veterans, unhoused families, and single parenting with a loving, non-judgmental voice and obvious care so as not to alarm young readers. At the shelter, Koinonia House, Sierra discovers a loving circle of attachment to offer protection, with several caring adults filling in to support Sierra until her mother lands back on her feet. The novel ends on a realistic and yet hopeful note.

[Martha Fouts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sierra was given a Promise with a capitol P, and she refused to let go. She held on to that Promise in spite of the pain around her. In fact, the Promise took her through it. Hotel Oscar Mike Echo is one of those stories of your youth that invites the reader to slip into the shoes of someone else and walk around for a while -- such an important exercise for all of us! I highly recommend Sierra's story to kids and adults. We all need to look at life through someone else's eyes (and oh, Sierra's are so poetic and beautiful!), and we all need to be reminded that we need to hold on to Hope.

[Kendra Broekhuis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the way author Linda MacKillop brings to life tough storylines (PTSD, addiction, homelessness) in a way that is both age appropriate and compassionate in this middle grade novel. MacKillop neither villainizes nor sugarcoats the characters' struggles, and she also weaves in messages of hope through help from supporting characters and Scripture. I loved the main character, 11 year old Sierra, and the way she is brave and honest and vulnerable as she faces her mom's mental health issues and bullying at school. This was a gripping and tender story.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Hotel Oscar Mike Echo alongside my 10-year-old son. We both found it engaging to learn about the ups and downs of Sierra‘s life especially since it’s so different from our own. We enjoyed the fun details about the military alphabet, her “cooking show” and mosaics. More importantly, I thought the author did a great job of delving into deeper topics like bullying in school, homelessness, and PTSD, in a meaningful way that sparked discussion and fostered understanding and empathy. My son said, “it was really good, she should write a sequel!”

[Cheryl Bostrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re a middle-grade reader or looking for a gift for one, Linda MacKillop’s new book Hotel Oscar Mike Echo tops my list of recommendations! Winsome eleven-year-old Sierra tells her compelling narrative of homelessness with such tenderness and candor that she’s sure to inspire empathy even among the most disillusioned—or unaware. Such a well-written, heart-warming, and real story. Thanks for bringing this book into the world, Linda. I loved it!

[Deborah King · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so beautifully written. It sensitively and tenderly presents the heartache and anxiety of a child navigating homelessness, being bullied, and loving a parent who lives with PTSD from wartime trauma. Despite all the struggles life has presented her with, the main character, Sierra, faces it all with courage, love, and a resourcefulness that make her a strong and likeable heroine. Despite the difficult subject matter, this book is filled with hope. Highly recommended!

[Tasha Jun · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am still reading this book, and I will update to add more when I'm done, but wanted to review anyway. MacKillop has written such a tender and thoughtful book. The characters she's created are ones that will stay with readers for a long time and the storytelling is the kind that reaches deep and nudges at compassion in the best way. I'm so grateful for this book and the skill and heart it's been written with.

[Dorothy Greco · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a thoughtful, tender book. MacKillop weaves together a plot line that is far more nuanced and sophisticated than most middle school novels. Eleven-year-old Sierra and her mom (the latter suffers from PTSD due to her military service) find themselves without a home. Hotel Oscar Mike Echo compassionately explores complex issues like poverty, mental health, and the longing for home while remaining hopeful. I would recommend this book for both boys and girls.

[Kathryn Picton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having lived in the inner city for a period of my life, i found this story to ring true of the many experiences i had. As a white, middle class adult, i prided myself of not being "color" prejudice. Boy, i had much to learn!
This book, although fiction, touched on very real aspects of life lived through the eyes of a little girl caught between the world she actually lived in and the one she desperately dreamed of. I would highly recommend this book for young and old readers!