A Place for Us

Written & illustrated by James Ransome

A boy and his mom navigate life without a home, finding love in unexpected places.

4.4/5 Goodreads · 250 ratings

32 pages

$18.99Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

A young boy's day mirrors that of his peers, yet holds a secret. As he and his mom move from fast food to the library, their reality unfolds—they're homeless. Sleeping on park benches and washing in fountains, they face each day with resilience. Despite their struggles, the bond between mother and son remains unbreakable. How do they maintain hope and dignity in a world that overlooks them? Discover the silent strength of love in this moving tale.

From the publisher

A poignant wordless picture book about a homeless boy and his mom, by Children’s Literature Legacy Award winner James Ransome When a little boy’s mom picks him up from school, his day seems a lot like any other kid’s. He and his mom go out for some fast food and then head to the library. But when they stay there till closing time, and then go to the park, we learn more. Through the lens of Ransome’s evocative illustrations we see that they ate out because they don’t have a kitchen to cook in. They went to the library because they don’t have a quiet space to do homework. And at night, they settle in to sleep on a bench in a city park because they don’t have a home. The next morning, they are awakened by the rising sun, Mom’s bag is full of clean clothes, and there’s a fountain for washing up–and finally they are ready for the walk to school. His classmates may or may not know about his living situation, but what shines throughout the story is the deep love he and his mom have for each other.