
I’m thrilled to be taking part in the Shelter Book Tour, hosted by TBR And Beyond Tours. Check out my review below!

Shelter
By Christie Matheson
Middle Grade Contemporary
192 Pages
Ages 8-12
Random House Books for Young Readers
Publishing Date: October 12, 2021
Hardcover ~ Kindle
Perfect for fans of One for the Murphys and Paper Things, this heart-wrenching middle grade debut considers homelessness from one girl’s perspective and explores deep truths about the resounding impact of empathy.
Fifth grade can be tough for anyone. There are cliques and mean kids and homework and surprise math tests. But after tragedy strikes her family, almost-eleven-year-old Maya has a painful secret that makes many days feel nearly impossible. And today might be Maya’s toughest yet.
Her family is on edge, she needs to travel alone across the city, a bully is out to get her, and Maya has to face this winter’s biggest rainstorm without a coat or an umbrella. But even on the rainiest days, there’s hope that the sun will come out soon.
Emotional and compassionate, Shelter looks at homelessness through one girl’s eyes and explores the power of empathy, friendship, and love.
My Review

What a beautifully written, heartfelt story! We follow along Maya, and 11 year old girl whose life has been turned upside down. When an accident happens with her dad and he ends up in the hospital – there’s no one to pay the bills. Staying at the homeless shelter with her mom and sister, we get a first hand look at a day in the life of Maya. The stress, anxiety and hunger she faces ~ all while maintaining a good heart. A good support system in place can make a huge difference.
I think it would be great for every middle schooler to read this. It could give them some insight as to why other kids may not be able to dress nice or have a $200 pair of shoes. Instead of picking on them, they could respond in kindness.
About The Author

Christie Matheson is the author and illustrator of many picture books, including Tap the Magic Tree, Touch the Brightest Star, and Bird Watch. Shelter is her first novel. She lives in San Francisco with her family.
Instagram ~ Goodreads
Huge thanks to TBR And Beyond Book Tours and Christie for my gifted copy in exchange for my honest review. To get your hands on a copy click one of the links below!
Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Goodreads ~ IndieBound
Thank you all for stopping by, make sure to check out what the other hosts are saying below!
Tour Schedule
Have a wonderful day!