Listened to and read this one. Interesting intersection of situations in the story overlapping with real life. Very enjoyable, although the main character/narrator seemed a little younger than she was supposed to be - may have been the reader's voice more than anything though... ( )

When I need something lighter but interesting to read, I can usually count of Catherine Ryan Hyde to come through for me. This story, written from the viewpoint of a 14-17 year old girl (14 when it starts, 17 when it ends) who is forced to be older than her years because of a mentally disabled little sister and a less than adequate mother, is a heart warmer.

Hyde is a very character-driven writer. You feel you know her people and experience things with them and, as an added bonus, she is almost always able to work a delightful dog into the story. She understands the relationship between dogs and people and how complicated they can be and how much that relationship can substitute for human relationships that are off or missing. I never put down a Hyde book feeling like I have read something erudite that makes me want to ponder it, but then I don't put it down thinking I wasted those hours and wish I could have them back. It is like watching a good film for the second time and liking it anyway.

I am trying to cull out some titles that have been waiting on my Kindle all year unopened. I'm glad I got around to this one. If I don't get around to another before Friday, it is positive note to end a year on. ( )

"Where We Belong" was a good read, but not my favorite. This book is narrated by Angie, starting when she is fourteen and ends when she is seventeen. Angie is a dreamer and very mature. Her mother works at any job she can find, but she has to be with her younger daughter Sophie when Angie is at school. Sophie is on the autistic spectrum, unable to speak, and is inclined to loud shrieking. Angie is sometimes angry, sometimes confused, but she is a person of strong integrity and deep feelings. This book is often moving, sad in places, and highlights issues of homelessness and poverty, as well as the difficulties within families with children on the autistic spectrum. I liked Angie's character, but my favorite had to be the old man next door. The lonely, old man next door has an aging Great Dane dog that the autistic child inexplicably feels connected to, through the fence. He retires and moves, and because the dog is the only thing that has ever calmed the child, the family moves to the mountains, closer to the dog. The man is terse and private and eventually makes friends with Angie, the narrator. It's an odd friendship that works somehow. He's still reserved and many events happen along the way. The overall message and plot of the story were good, however, it became boring in places. It started off a bit slow but progressively got better. In general, it was a good read and I would recommend it.

This book is narrated by Angie, starting when she is fourteen. The book ends when she is seventeen. Angie is a dreamer, old for her years. Her mother works at any job she can find, but she has to be with her younger daughter Sophie when Angie is at school. Sophie is on the autistic spectrum, unable to speak, and prone to loud shrieking.

The plot is character-driven, and I thought it both realistic and very well. There’s a theme that recurs in this author’s books, that of honesty and generosity being their own reward. Angie is sometimes angry, sometimes confused, but she is a person of strong integrity and deep feelings. I liked her very much, and enjoyed the mixture of other characters, including Sophie herself.

This book is often poignant, sad in places, and highlights issues of homelessness and poverty, as well as the difficulties besetting families with children on the autistic spectrum.

Very highly recommended. ( )

I love all of this author's books that I've read. This is no exception. Told from the viewpoint of a 14-year-old girl, who ages to around 17 in the story, it's well done. The voice of the girl seems true to age. Her family, mother, autistic sister, and her are nearly destitute after the death of the father. Mom has a hard time making enough money to keep things together and at times they're homeless, living in the car or a tent. The autistic child screeches regularly as part of her disorder, which makes keeping a home difficult.

The bachelor next door has an aging great dane dog that the autistic child inexplicably feels connected to, through the fence. He retires and moves, and because the dog is the only thing that has ever calmed the child, the family moves to the mountains, closer to the dog. The bachelor is terse and private and eventually makes friends with Angie, the narrator. It's an odd friendship that works somehow. He's still reserved and many events happen along the way.

The bachelor has a love that doesn't know he cares and he won't tell her, even when he should and has open opportunity. So the story is multi-layered. Good read! ( )