Aunt Pearl

August 1, 2019

K-Gr 2-A family tries to provide a home for their relative who struggles with homelessness. Dan and Marta have never met their Aunt Pearl but they know that she doesn't have a home. One spring their mother decides to invite their Aunt Pearl to come live with them. Though the family tries to make room for her in their home and their lives, it's a struggle to accommodate her, as she accumulates odds and ends, leaves messes, and behaves in a manner they consider "strange." One morning in the fall Aunt Pearl leaves suddenly and the children are left wondering where she went. The topic of homelessness is carelessly handled in this story. Aunt Pearl and her actions are described as a "mystery," "wacky," and "a problem." The depiction of her mental health is poorly handled; one night the family wakes up and sees Aunt Pearl outside, "pacing and talking to herself," but it is not addressed beyond this one page. The white-presenting family lives in a suburban community and the addition of group of diverse children on a single page seems like an afterthought. The detailed collage illustrations add color and texture to the story and are skillfully employed to show the discrepancy between Aunt Pearl's disorganized, clutter-filled space and the rest of the home. VERDICT This story's lack of context and the absence of any additional information for parents and caregivers results in a confusing and lackluster attempt to introduce children to homelessness. Readers would be better served by other books that address homelessness such as Michael Genhart's I See You.-Laken Hottle, Providence Community Library, RI

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2019
Marta and Dan's mom wants to help her transient sister, Pearl, who's accustomed to couch surfing, hostels, and park benches. " 'That's not how it should be, ' said Mom. 'Pearl will live with us.' " Pearl, whom the kids have never met, arrives with a loaded shopping cart. A man with a van brings more stuff. It fills the garage, the basement, and Pearl's bedroom--conflicting with Mom's penchant for tidiness. Dan reads the sentiments on Pearl's hat buttons: "Normal people scare me." Free-spirited Marta, age 6, accompanies Pearl on garbage-day scavenging, helping provide "a second chance" for castoff finds. Creative Pearl engages the diverse kids at Dan and Marta's day camp in decorating a salvaged coffee table with bottle caps--a gift for Mom. But Pearl's hoarding behavior and failed attempts to help domestically deepen the sisters' discomfort. As summer turns, Pearl grows increasingly despondent, and one morning, she's gone. Dan's tearful: "Why'd she go?...She left her stuff." But Marta "knew a mystery when she met one." Luxbacher's mixed-media illustrations supply visual clues: The buttons on Pearl's left-behind hat are obscured with fabric scraps--a double-edged gift for Rose? On the table rest three fabric napkins--polka-dot, just like Pearl's carry-bag. The ambiguity will have children and caregivers talking. Dan is dark-haired with light brown skin; the others present as white. A poignant look at a homeless woman and her family--a constellation too rarely seen. (Picture book. 4-7)

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