Common Sense Media Review
By Rachel Sarah
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Uplifting story of fearless, homeless teen in high school.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
No one at Hinderwood High knows that Linden Rose has a dark past or a big secret. She's homeless, living in the halls and dugout of her small-town high school, and she's good at keeping this on the down low, even from her best friends, Ham (who's gay) and Seung (who's mixed-race Korean and white). No one in the newsroom where Linden is the school's blog editor knows what she's hiding. Her goal is to graduate and go to college, which is why she's working two jobs and doing everything she can to keep her grades up. The basics are a struggle: taking a shower, not falling asleep in class, and keeping the contents of her backpack a secret. When Linden discovers that a classmate's boyfriend is abusing her, she worries for her but also knows what it's like to desperately hold on to a secret.
Is It Any Good?
This heartbreaking but ultimately uplifting debut novel captures the depth and ripple effects of homelessness. The subject matter is heavy but important, especially because there are so few mainstream stories about homeless teens. That said, the subplots here -- such as a classmate whose boyfriend hits her and a friend who's coming out -- are often disjointed, making the narrative arc quite challenging to follow.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Where I Live deals with a homeless teen. Have you ever read a novel about a high schooler who doesn't have a home? How is homelessness usually portrayed in movies and TV?
After reading this story, do you find yourself having more empathy for people in real life who are homeless?
Many young adult novels deal with physical or mental illness. Which others have you read and liked? What's so compelling about these topics?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Contemporary Fiction
- Topics : Friendship , School ( High School )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publication date : February 27, 2018
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 18
- Number of pages : 352
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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