The Smell of Other People’s Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock - OPTIONAL

Hitchcock, Bonnie-Sue The Smell of Other People’s Houses, 227.  Random House, 2016.  $17.99.  Language: 19 swears, 2 “f”;  Mature Content: PG-13; Violence:  PG-13.

Four Alaskan teenagers who are trying to become adults each struggle in their own way.  Ruth lives with her grandmother and wonders if she will be remembered after an extended stay in another town.  Dora wishes she could be invisible to those who know of her family’s struggle.  Alyce wants to become a ballerina, but believes leaving her parents would cause a loss of income and love.  Hank is running away.  

The book has four stand alone stories that do not mix until the last 20 pages.  It can be difficult to keep track of the 36 characters.  The reader needs to pay attention to which narrator is being used, or confusion will ensue!  This is not a book for reluctant readers. \

HS  - OPTIONAL.  Reviewer:  Kelly Graham