Paper Things

Written by Jennifer Richard Jacobson

Ari and Gage lost their mother four years ago and Gage is really struggling with their guardian, Janna. When Gage decides to leave, Ari remembers that their mother said “to always stay together.” When they move out and try to live on their own Ari finds it hard not having an apartment. So they go “couch surfing” at friends places. To calm Ari down she plays with her mysterious paper things. At the end of the book Ari decides to go back to her guardian Janna and Gage finds his own place. They also figure out that you don’t have to live in the same place to stay together. By Aubry 5th grade student.

I felt this book was worth the 5 stars Aubry gave it. When we talked about this story we discussed some of the difficult choices that Gage had to face at an early age and being left alone without a parent to watch over them. This book shows the difficult situation of homelessness and how Ari had to struggle with that along with keeping up school work and classmates.

Review by Angela Pratt / Aubry (5th Grade Student), Hillsdale Elementary Media Center
Rating: ★★★★★ (5 stars)
Interest Level: Grades 4-9

Paper Things
Written by Jennifer Richard Jacobson
Candlewick Press
376 pages
Release Date: February 10, 2015