Eve Bunting is an author who does not shy away from difficult subjects. She writes with a depth of feeling while handling subjects many auhtors of children's books might not want to cover.

In this book, the author writes a story about homelessness, and grief. Written from a young boy's perspective, he grieves the loss of his mother, and the loss of the home his family lived in. Now, he and his father live in an airport. Spending time trying not to be found, they have a system that works well for hiding from the security guards while looking busy.

During the day, his father found another homeless family to look out for the boy. The boys collect luggage carts that people left outside and return them for .50 cents each. If crowds are busy and safe, the boys offer to carry heavy bags for women. If they are fortunate, they receive tips. The money is kept in their shoes.

The meals are standard: a container of milk and a donut for breakfast. When his father returns from his work, he buys hamburgers for them, and also for the family that helps watch him during the day.

Longing for a home like it was when his mother was alive, sometimes the boy shares his feelings with his father. His father reminds him they are safe and warm. The sadness sets in when he watches people greet each other after their flight lands. He tries to fight back tears when he questions why those people are more lucky than them.

The author does a wonderful job of writing about difficult subjects told from the perspective of a young boy. When the boy saw a bird who was inside the terminal and tried to fly away, hitting the glass, it fell and harmed its wing. Then, one day the sliding door opened and the bird flew away. The young boy knew that even though he could not hear the bird, it was singing when it flew home.

Excellently written with illustrations that follow this heart-wrenching story.

This book is great. ( )

This story is about a homeless son and father who live in an airport. This shows children to be thankful for what you have. ( )

An eye opening book about homelessness good for upper elementary grades. ( )

This book is about a boy who lives in an airport with his dad. The book is filled with the idea of hope and a unique understanding of different peoples home life. ( )