Paper Things

Written by Jennifer Richard Jacobson

Ari navigates school and friendships while secretly homeless with her brother.

4.2 Goodreads · 4,629 ratings

384 pages· 65,175 words· Est. 9 hour read· 830L

$8.99Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Ari faces a tough choice: stay with her guardian or join her brother, Gage, who lacks a stable home. As she juggles school, friendships, and middle-school applications, Ari's life becomes a series of temporary stays—couch surfing with Gage's friends and sneaking into shelters. This heartfelt journey challenges her resilience and forces her to confront the harsh realities of homelessness. Can Ari find stability amidst chaos, or will her secret life unravel everything she holds dear? Discover a story that sheds light on the hidden struggles of those without a place to call home.

From the publisher

“Will engender empathy and understanding of a serious and all-too-real problem. Jacobson’s story is poignant but never preachy.” – School Library Journal (starred review) When forced to choose between staying with her guardian and being with her big brother, Ari chose her big brother. There’s just one problem – Gage didn’t actually have a place to live. How can Ari keep up with school, her best friend, and middle-school applications when she’s “couch surfing” – a night here with Gage’s friend in a tiny apartment, a night there with Gage’s girlfriend and her two roommates – and even, when necessary, sneaking into a juvenile shelter? Told in an open, authentic voice, this nuanced story of hiding in plain sight may have readers thinking about homelessness in a whole new way.

At a glance