Still a Family: A Story about Homelessness

by Brenda Reeves Sturgis, Jo-Shin Lee (Illustrator)

A little girl and her parents have lost their home and must live in a homeless shelter. Even worse, due to a common shelter policy, her dad must live in a men's shelter, separated from her and her mom. Despite these circumstances, the family still finds time to be together. They meet at the park to play hide-and-seek, slide on slides, and pet puppies. While the young girl wishes for better days when her family is together again under a roof of their very own, she continues to remind herself that they're still a family even in times of separation.

Genres: Family, Picture Books, Poverty, Childrens, Love, Social Justice, Realistic Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 31, 2017

Reviews

[Jane]

One thing I can tell you with absolute certainty from having worked in struggling communities is that children in disadvantaged neighborhoods are still children, and their families are still families. These families might look different from the ones we typically see in portrayed in picture books, and their lives might be different, but that doesn’t make them any less valid, any less real, any less important. Families are still families, no matter their material situation, and no child should ever be made to feel embarrassed or uncomfortable because of their family makeup or living arrangements.

I can’t express how pleased I was to come across Still a Family in the library recently. Both author and illustrator handle the subject of homelessness with such gentleness, grace and respect. Homeless children are so rarely represented in children’s books, though there are so, so many families who rely on shelters every day. What makes Still a Family even more wonderful is the text’s straightforwardness and lack of judgement. The family in the story is portrayed with great empathy and respect – they are ordinary people, simply trying to do their best in a hard world. There’s no mention of why the family lives in a shelter, which allows young readers to insert their own experiences into the story, while also reinforcing the fact that as outsiders it’s really none of our business, and it’s certainly not our place to judge.

I also appreciate the fact that Still a Family has no overt moral, and no neat happy ending. The family begins the story living in separate shelters, and finishes the story still living in shelters. So many stories want to have “happy endings”, to “fix” things for their characters, but for most families struggling with poverty there are so easy fixes, and things don’t change overnight. By not changing the family’s situation, Still a Family reinforces the message that living in a shelter is nothing to be ashamed of, and that life carries on, no matter where you live.

The overall spirit of the book is one of optimism tinged with longing. This isn’t a “message” book or a “problem” book. Readers aren’t encouraged to pity the young narrator, or to be thankful that they aren’t as disadvantaged themselves. The girl’s living arrangements are not at all ideal, and she does long for something different, but primarily because she misses her father, and wants to live together as a family again. Still a Family suggests that children living in shelters can still have friends, can still have fun, can still have a life. It isn’t an ideal situation, to be sure, and I did feel that the story downplayed some of the very real dangers, stresses and inconveniences of growing up in a shelter, and perhaps glossed over some of the psychological stresses and emotional damage that can result from the lack of stability and consistency that can come with homelessness and poverty.

As the author mentions, “If you are a child living in a homeless shelter, I want you to know that you are not alone. People care, and this book was written for you.” That is such an important sentiment. Still a Family may inspire and touch the hearts of children everywhere, but it wasn’t written for them. It was written for the children whose lives it mirrors, to share their stories, and celebrate their realities and their experiences.

Hopefully we will continue to get beautiful stories like this that showcase socio-economic diversity with respect, empathy and understanding.

[Candace]

This book is the story of a homeless family. The father must live in a men's shelter while the mother and daughter live in the women's shelter. Despite the living arrangements, they still come together for play, celebrations, and meals. They are still a family.

Homelessness is handled with empathy, gentleness and respect. This book, according to the author's notes, is aimed at homeless children. However, it would be a good book to bring up the subject matter with children of all backgrounds. What I like best about this book is it does not judge and does not sugar coat homelessness. There is no happy ending but there is hope. They are still a family. The illustrations are drawn in child-like drawings.

[Linda]

The author, Brenda Reeves Sturgis writes that she wanted a way to give a voice to children who are homeless, living with their mother and with their father in a second shelter just for men. And of all the sweet things included or happening, they are "still" a family. Illustrated in child-like drawings, this young girl talks about the rows of cots and the noise, standing in line for long minutes for meals and playing with another girl and sharing her doll. Each one gives it a name. It's her birthday and one candle, one cupcake makes just enough for one wish. And the picture shows her room and a dog, and they are still a family. It's a simple presentation, one that will be easy for adults to read and discuss this with young children.

[Jessica Brown]

I think this would be more of a 4, but the mere fact that you rarely, if ever, find the topic of homelessness in a children's book (let alone a picture book) made me love it to the point of a 5.
This is the story of a young girl who lives in a shelter with her mom, and her dad has to live in a different shelter (as they're typically gender-separated). Despite this, and despite how hard her life may seem and how much she longs for the comforts of having her family together and her bedroom, she stays positive and knows that she is filled with love and her family is still a family. This book is made even better by the author's note at the end, and the resources for those who are inspired to help. As someone who has been on the brink of homelessness, only rescued by family members and friends, and who has a homeless family member, this hits home. It's a heartbreaking and defeating thing to go through when you're in your early 20s, let alone as a small child. More books like these need to be written to let kids know that they aren't alone, that it's okay to want something better, that it's okay to be sad and want your family together again.

[Kimberly]

This is a sweet and sad book. Due to shelter policies, a little girl and her mom must live separately from her dad, who stays at a men's shelter down the street. The little girl's constant refrain throughout the book, "we are still a family," is both inspiring and heartbreaking. Children who read this one may pick up on the fact that the family was not always homeless; the little girl pines for her old, quiet bedroom while she tries to sleep in the noisy shelter. This is an important book; I've never seen another quite like it.

[Valerie Rammes]

Still A Family is a story about a young girl and her family experiencing homelessness, written by Brenda Reeves Sturgis and illustrated by Jo-Shin Lee. A young girl lives in a homeless shelter with her mom and her favorite doll while her dad has to live in a different homeless shelter for men only. She describes how she wishes to be in her own room which is a lot more quiet than that of the cot in a room with many other cots in their homeless shelter. She misses being in her own home. She describes the different difficulties of being in the shelter like having to say goodbye to her dad when it’s time to go to their separate shelters, waiting in long lines for food, but all the while trying to remain positive. Her positive attitude is emphasized when she reflects on that she still has a family despite their complicated situation. The narrator and her family still eat together, go to the park together, and celebrate her birthday together. Even though they are homeless they take the time to do typical family things with one another.
The illustrations in this book are colorful and replicate childlike drawings from crayon. It’s as if the young girl was narrating the story while also drawing pictures for it. The narrator’s parents are always happy and smiling, especially when they are all three together. The family’s love for one another is evident through the narrator’s repetition of “but we are still a family” and through the illustrations. The narrator almost stresses the importance of them still being a family.
I liked how this story is from the young girl’s perspective. It’s honest in making it a point to say she misses how her life was and she walks us through the difficulties of having to be separated from her dad. It’s a story that doesn’t seem sad but highlights the strengths a family has in hard times.

[Tanna Frederick]

I really enjoyed this story because it is not often you read books about homelessness, even though it is very prominent in our society. We follow a family who is currently homeless on what their everyday life. This story is very important to have in your classroom, as you may not know what your students are going through, and it is also good exposure for them.

[Michele Knott]

A really important book to share with all readers. The message of still being a family will be important for someone to hear.

[Morgan Baumbach]

Summary: A young girl, her doll, and her mother live in a Women's shelter. Although they are separated by distance due to her father living in a different shelter, the little girl sees it important to remember that they are still a family! The reality of living life homeless is captured by the young character.

Personal Response: This book is so eye-opening. It is written very purposefully to show young readers that being homeless is hard, but it should not define who you are. I love the stress on the meaning of family throughout this book!

Descriptions of Illustrations: The illustrations are very child-like and mostly drawn with crayon. There are some really cute drawings throughout that are depicted as the drawings of the main character. The use of white space to create a circle really shows the closeness of family.

Classroom Connections: This book is great for teaching students about different living situations and family dynamics!

[Veronica McFarlin]

The main character's family is homeless, and she and her mom stay in a women's shelter where they have to be separated from her dad. I love the repetition throughout the book, as she continually emphasizes that they are still a family even though they are in a different situation that most families. It's hard to read it and see how they go through the seasons, and her parents take turns watching her and looking for jobs, yet nothing seems to change.

This is another great book for a family unit. It shows how not all families look the same or live the same way, but that doesn't diminish the fact that they are a family.

I think it's also a good book to read and have a discussion about being grateful. Young children are very egocentric, and most of them don't have a lot of exposure to subjects like homelessness or poverty unless they are living in it. I teach at a private childcare back home, so my students are very fortunate in that their parents have jobs and most of them don't worry about things like having a next meal or if the lights are going to be on when they get home. This book is a great way to introduce kids to the fact that they are truly blessed to have these things that are not accessible to everybody, and that they should be grateful for the things that they have. We could use it as an opportunity to do a clothing or food drive for families like the family in the book.

[Allison]

Good, and on a topic rarely seen in kidlit.

[Abby Neuwirth]

Still a Family by Brenda Reeves Sturgis is a heartwarming book about a young girl and her family dealing with homelessness. This book gives its readers a great insight into the lives of those living in shelters and separated from their families. The author's note at the back of the book does a wonderful job describing the importance of keeping families together and supporting them as a unit. This is a touching book that I suggest everyone reads, the art was incredible and the author's writing is great.

[Molly Boyd]

This was a very emotional story about a young girl and her parents who have lost their home and must live in a homeless shelter. Her dad must live in a men's shelter, separated from her and her mom. Even with all of this going on, the family still finds time to be together. They enjoy meeting at the park to play hide-and-seek, sliding on slides, and petting puppies. Even though the young girl hopes for the days when her family is together again under a roof of their very own, she continues to remind herself that they're still a family even in times of separation, and she feels fortunate to still have a family at all. I would read this book to my future students because I feel it is important for them to see how fortunate they are, and how some children are not even able to go to school.

[Tasha]

This important picture book shows how a family who is experiencing homelessness continues to foster connections that demonstrate their love for one another. The little girl who narrates the book must stay in one shelter with her mother while her father stays at a different one. They sleep on cots among other people and the little girl must share her doll with the other children there. Sometimes they meet her father in the park to spend time together, though most of the time her parents are out looking for work and taking turns watching her. They have to stand in line to get food and celebrate holidays even though they are apart. It’s hard but they are still a family.

This book offers a gentle way to explain homelessness to children. It shows what life is like living in the shelter, how family members are separated from one another, and how difficult it is to live in this way. This is one of those important books that serves as a window for some children but also as a mirror for those living with homelessness. Throughout the young narrator shares her positive outlook despite the challenges.

The illustrations by Lee are childlike and explore seeing the subject from the point of view of the little girl. They have a rough quality to them and have the feel of being drawn by colored pencils and crayons.

An important book for urban libraries, this picture book fills a need in many of our communities. Appropriate for ages 4-6.

[Regan Smith]

Still a Family was published in 2017. It is a fictional children’s literature book. This sweet book is about a family who is homeless. A young girl and her parents have to live in shelters in a city. Due to the shelter rules, her mom and her have to live in a separate shelter than her dad. However, they still make it a priority to remain a family no matter the circumstances. The young girl wishes things could be different, but still embraces the meaning of family. I would use this book in my future classroom as a read aloud. I think this book would be a great way to bring to students’ attention how families and living conditions could look different. Additionally, I think this would be a great resource to help bring up a care closet at school as a reminder for children who need it.

[Sheri]

This is a story about a family who lives in two different shelters; a family shelter and a men's shelter. Shows this concept to children with the colors and illustrations give a feeling of sadness and concern when showing the dilemma and the family wanting to be together. Presents a talking point with a class on all types of people and embracing children and families from all walks of life and experience. May stir some school children to action or kindness toward others and embracing those who have been in or are in this situation now or to want to help in some way.

[Annie MacPherson]

3.5 Good topic, however I was not a fan of the overall execution. The experiences of the family seemed overly simplified/generalized and the illustrations were not particularly attractive or visually interesting. The character's constant smiles felt terse and unrealistic. The little girl's emotions took a back seat instead of guiding the story arc-- unfortunately, a missed opportunity. The story lacks soul and therefore meaning :/

[Lizzie]

An all too rare and important story. A relatable message of still being a family despite hard times and physical distance.

[Barbara]

As other reviewers have commented, it is not easy to find homelessness dealt with in books for children, much less in a picture book. In this one, illustrated with drawings that resemble colorful sketches that a child might make, readers encounter a girl and her mother who are living in one shelter while their father lives in a different one. The text and images show the family trying to maintain its closeness despite the challenges of shelter life, which can be noisy, crowded, and provide little privacy. Despite the comfort of her doll, the little girl yearns for the life she once had with her own room in her own house. The family works hard to celebrate the little moments, spending time together in the park and celebrating holidays and her birthday. Over and over the lines "we are still a family" (unpaged) ring out as the child recognizes that while they might not be living in the same places, but they still care about each other, and hopefully, some day, things will get better. It's clear what her birthday wish is, and readers will hope that everything will eventually work out so the family can be together once again. Notes of resilience and hope ring out in the text despite the fact that time is passing, and months have gone by with the family living in two shelters. An author's note explains the author's purpose for telling this particular story. Relying on the child's perspective offers readers an honest, hopeful, yet heartbreaking perspective on an experience that is far more common than many of us would like to believe. I will add this one to my small but growing collection of books on homelessness, and encourage my own students to think about some possible solutions to this ever-growing problem.

[Emma platek]

This is a great book that shows the emotions of a child whose family is going through a difficult transition due to divorce. It shows that families and parents may go through separation and it can be difficult for both parents and children. The story shows that even though a family may look different after separation, the love, care, and connection between family members remain strong. It can be very connecting and reassuring to children in a class who may be facing similar challenges at home. I really like how the story emphasizes that families can change in many ways but still stay connected. My moms parents were divorced and remarried, but she was able to still be loved by each part of her family, connect with step siblings, and care for eachother all the time and especially for holidays and traditions. The illustrations are warm and supportive, showing the child’s journey of acceptance and understanding. The book gently encourages children to embrace their feelings and find comfort in knowing that their family still loves them, no matter the changes. While reading this book, I would ask questions like, “How did you feel when the child’s family changed?” or “What are some ways your family shows love for each other?” This could open up discussions about family, feelings, and how children cope with changes in their lives. A good follow-up activity could be for students to create a “family tree,” I remember when I had to make something similar and so did my older sister, this can help young readers and students connect with her families and ancestors.

[Emma Platek]

This is a great book that shows the emotions of a child whose family is going through a difficult transition due to divorce. It shows that families and parents may go through separation and it can be difficult for both parents and children. The story shows that even though a family may look different after separation, the love, care, and connection between family members remain strong. It can be very connecting and reassuring to children in a class who may be facing similar challenges at home. I really like how the story emphasizes that families can change in many ways but still stay connected. My moms parents were divorced and remarried, but she was able to still be loved by each part of her family, connect with step siblings, and care for eachother all the time and especially for holidays and traditions. The illustrations are warm and supportive, showing the child's journey of acceptance and understanding. The book gently encourages children to embrace their feelings and find comfort in knowing that their family still loves them, no matter the changes. While reading this book, I would ask questions like, "How did you feel when the child's family changed?" or "What are some ways your family shows love for each other?" This could open up discussions about family, feelings, and how children cope with changes in their lives. A good follow-up activity could be for students to create a "family tree," remember when I had to make something similar and s did my older sister, this can help young readers and students connect with her families and ancestors.

[Tiyonna]

Although this book addressed such a depressing subject, the author does a good job of highlighting the importance of family and working hard to overcome hardships. Still a family, tackles the harsh reality of homelessness and how a family lives separately in a shelter due to policy stating men and w but still manages to make effort to remain close by meeting at the park and eating together. It is unfair and unfortunate that the dad has to live separate due to shelter policy, but I respect how hard the family works to remain close and with hope to overcome their tragic situation. This book also teaches children to appreciate the bond of a family over materialistic things. Still a Family is an appropriate book for Kindergarten and higher-grade levels, and it will teach children about empathy, love, and appreciation. Reading this story reminded me about the chart we saw on poverty because even though the parents used to work it still was not enough to prevent homelessness and while in the shelter they continued to search for jobs. It is unfortunate that we live in a world where two working parents still fall below the poverty line. It is also upsetting to separate a family when based off gender because a father plays a significant role in their child's life. This book left me feeling more appreciative for the things I have even though I grew up poor, I never had to live in a homeless shelter.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book*]

Sturgis, Brenda Reeves Still a Family, illustrated by Jo-Shin Lee. PICTURE BOOK. Albert Whitman, 2017. $16.99. Content: G.

It's hard to feel like a family when you and your mother live in one homeless shelter and your father lives in another. Still, the family in this story makes it work, even as they hope that one day soon they will be reunited under a roof of their own.

Still a Family deals with a very important topic that isn't addressed very often in children's stories. Not only could it help homeless children feel less alone, it could also build empathy in those who do have homes. It could also provide plenty of discussion points for ways in which those who are more fortunate can help others. I only wish I liked the illustrations more; instead of enhancing the story, they feel distractingly childlike. If you do decide to share this story, this interview with the author provides some interesting insights into its journey to publication.

EL (K-3) -- ADVISABLE. Reviewed by Sydney G., K-6 Library Media Specialist
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...

[Afiya Charaniya]

This book is one of the only books I know that are about homelessness. The genre of the book is a children's realistic fiction book. The book was enjoyable to read even though the subject may be depressing. The little girl lived in a shelter with her mother, and her father lived in another shelter, but it is emphasized on every other page that they were "still a family." The family does a lot of things that "normal" families would do such as go to the park, eat together, celebrate different holidays, and celebrate birthdays. While reading the book, students have a lot of different things that they can think about such as what the family does together, why they live in different places, or how their own families are different than the family in the book. The text and illustrations in the book relate with each other, and they are very simple to understand. Through the pictures, we can see that there is diversity present whether it is the skin color of the mother and father or the different children in the shelter. The characters in the book are who we would see in our everyday lives. Although we may not know it, many people in the United States are homeless. The author of the book was not homeless herself, but she created the book after coming across "an online discussion on how to explain homelessness to children." Although she isn't from the group herself, she does a fabulous job explaining homelessness from a child's point of view. I believe that children should read this book because this is a topic that isn't talked about in the classroom. I think the book's target audience is probably first grade and up, but to some extent, Kindergarteners may be able to understand how to be open-minded.

[Olivia Rullman]

This is a must-read for children as young as 5! The beautiful and simple illustrations add authenticity to the personal narrative of a young girl living in a homeless shelter with her doll and mother. The colorful pages give the reader the idea she, herself crayoned her story in pictures. Her account of living apart from her father, who is in another shelter down the street, is heartwarming and offers a unique perspective of homelessness. She tells of how they meet up and are "still a family" despite their challenging circumstances. Love, belonging, positivity, compassion, and overcoming hardship are all themes any child will benefit from, despite age, from this sweet story. My favorite part is actually the author's note which explains the writer's intent, purpose, and personal plea to readers. She offers encouragement to children experiencing homelessness and challenges readers to get involved and make a difference in the important cause.

[Jordan Lanfair]

Channeling the artwork of a child's journal this story is compelling for all ages. Whether sharing with a classroom as a part of a unit or in a high school classroom to give them acccess to other richer texts this book asserts a harsh reality: we could all end up homeless. A seemingly innocuous line "I miss my quiet room" lets us know that this family wasn't always homeless, a reality for many families. Braving the separation because of common shelter policies about men and women and children being together, this family finds ways to be together, express their love, and even kindle hope. The innocence of children is on full display here as the narrator understands that no matter the difficulty of their situation, they are not alone. VERDICT: A must-read. The artwork is beyond compelling and the simple voice is authentic in its understanding and approach to a topic that is often difficult for adults themselves to grapple with.

[Delaney Fischer]

This is another heartwarming story regarding the difficulties people in poverty face. The little girl in the book cuddles with her doll in the homeless shelter but she misses things like her bed, quiet room and comfortable blanket. Even though her father is in a different shelter, she still believes they are a family. Her family would come together at the park to play and have some quality family time. Despite all the hard time they are faced with, the fact that they are a family will always remain. I like that this story was told through the eyes of the young girl and told the sad yet inspiring story of her life living in poverty.

I would like to add this book to my classroom library so that my student know that just because someone is less fortunate than them, they deserve the same amount of respect as anyone else. I also love the family aspect of this book and how strong your families love can inspire you to stay positive even through the tough periods in life.

[Selena Quinones]

This book is about a little girl who lives in a shelter with her mom while her dad has to stay in a separate men's shelter. The author writes to give a voice to children that are homeless and can relate to the story. It is important to the little girl to remember that they are still a family regardless of the trials they face. Sturgis's writing is clear and understandable for children. The story is touching as the family remains together and hopeful, while also being sad since the little girl does not get to see her dad everyday and misses him tucking her in and her quiet room. The illustrations in the book look as if the little girl drew them herself and that added to the feeling of the story being given form a Child's perspective. Overall the book discuses and important and relevant topic in a suitable way for children.

[Brittany Sands]

Reading Still a Family made me profoundly sad. This book walks into the reality of a homeless family, on hard times from the life they used to have, separated by shelters, but still trying to make the best of their incredibly rough situation. I feel like this book would be difficult for children to hear or think about, because most children in school aren't used to pitching trash can bag tents when it rains, standing in long lines to eat, being away from their parent, staying in an unfamiliar location with many others, etc. but nonetheless, this book is an important one to educate students that some others are not so lucky as they are, and it sheds light on the importance of being grateful for all that you do have, despite things maybe not being everything you would hope or prefer. I loved it.

[Sonya Bright]

About a family divided between two homeless shelters, my favourite thing about Still a Family was the way the illustrations looked like they'd been drawn by the little girl. The proportions were off, the colouring was messy, and some of the shapes were odd. So it looked like it was a child sharing their own experiences.

Told in a way small children will understand, we see what it's like to have parents unable to find work, and the way life is in a homeless shelter.

I think the lack of a happy ending was a crucial decision.

It's a hard topic for kids, so there's not a lot of detail to the text, but it's the first picture book like this I've read.