Editor’s note: The following article is a synopsis written by staff members and volunteers of the Cary Public Library highlighting one of the suggested reading books, as determined by their staff.
“Almost Home” by Joan Bauer will bring you near to tears – except Sugar Mae Cole is a survivor – of an alcoholic gambler father, a trusting, creative mother, of economically deprivation, and homelessness.
Sounds depressing, yet she does not lose hope of finding a place to call home, especially when she takes on a puppy, “Shush.
Add a loving, wise grandfather, a creative teacher, and street smarts and the story is addictive: just what will happen to this brave little girl? This reader could not put the book away until it was finished (very late one night!).
“Almost Home” emphasizes the adage “Do what you can, no matter how small.” A kind word, a low paying job, yet a job, a small donation, a smile, a compliment mean so much to these unfortunate people, especially children, branded by their situation as homeless, hopeless, unworthy. It can brighten their day, a ray of hope, an urge to keep trucking on.
After reading this one we hope you may share your thoughts with Library personnel. But no rubber chickens, please.
The Cary Public Library is open Monday-Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call 532-1302.
