Seventeen-year-old Abby Lunde and her family are living on the streets. They had a normal life back in Omaha but, thanks to her mother’s awful mistake, they had to leave behind what little they had for a new start in Rochester. Abby tries to be an average teenager-fitting in at school, dreaming of a boyfriend, college and a career in music. But Minnesota winters are unforgiving, and so are many … many teenagers.
Her stepdad promises to put a roof over their heads, but times are tough for everyone and Abby is doing everything she can to keep her shameful secret from her new friends. The divide between rich and poor in high school is painfully obvious, and the stress of never knowing where they’re sleeping or where they’ll find their next meal is taking its toll on the whole family.
As secrets are exposed and the hope for a home fades, Abby knows she must trust those around her to help. But will her new friends let her down like the ones back home, or will they rise to the challenge to help them find a normal life?
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Abby’s story is one we can all learn from. Her desperate attempt to keep her homelessness from her new friends is poignant and frightening.
Great book for teens and young. Shows the struggles and how the main character emerges and overcomes. Teaches good lessons on not judging others, but also to go to your friends if you are in trouble.
I loved this book as it gave me a first hand look at homelessness, and how ingeniously the young heroine dealt with her family’s problems. “There, but for the grace of God, go I” well written well plotted and executed.
This book takes an inside look at homelessness through the eyes of a teenager. It also explores honesty in relationships and what it means to “walk in someone else’s shoes”.
This book has a lot to learn from, starting from mistakes to forgiveness. When I read the first paragraph, I was hooked. Abby, the main character, brings everyday high-school problems to life. She has to deal with boyfriends, secrets, gossip, and her family, as well as her outside-of-school life. Armstrong made sure to include tears, joy, empathy, and suspense in this action-packed novel. *Does include a few cuss words here and there, but overall YA.
Roam is a compelling, gritty, heart-wrenching book about a seventeen year old girl who is living on the streets with her family. The characters in this book are portrayed honestly and compassionately. This is a YA book that teenagers and adults alike will be able to relate to.
I wanted to read a book about a homeless person, so I searched and found this one. I liked the story. I didn’t like all of the lessons, but I liked the main one, and I get what she was trying to do. This book wasn’t as good as it could’ve been, but I don’t know why. I think maybe it was almost too perfect, even while it was realistically horrible. I can’t explain it. I really did enjoy reading it though, so count the stars up there, I’m not knocking it. The book was way better than the trailer made it seem, but how cool that they have book trailers now too. I’m so old I still call those videos previews, but whatever;-) I will go see what else this author has written though too.
5/5 STARS!
This book was so moving and captivating! The story of Abby’s struggle as a homeless teen in a new town breaks your heart but her strength and perseverance stitch it back together!
C.H. Armstrong writes an absolutely tragic tale of how one bad decision can have a ripple effect and change the lives of everyone around you. The Lunde family found themselves sleeping in the back of their van in a Walmart parking lot as a means to survive. Seeking out every soup kitchen, pantry or temporary shelter available in town and making the best of a very bad situation.
The author’s ability to pull you into the story as if you were there, experiencing it for yourself was incredible. I loved the teen perspective this book provided on social justice issues as well as economic ones. How difficult it was for Abby to hide, fib and disengage, just to fit in and go unnoticed.
But she didn’t go unnoticed. She caught the attention of the most popular guy in school and gained a group of friends who were the opposite of the ones that turned their back on her in Omaha. She built an unwavering own support system within the walls of her new high school, with peers, teachers and administrators. She thrived and broke out of her shell, despite the difficult home life she was forced to return to each and every afternoon.
The romantic aspect of this story was sweet and endearing. I loved the chemistry between Abby and Zach. His willingness to accept her, despite the truths she’d kept from him, really showed his true character and love for her.
I adored this read for both the characters and the story line.
First I would like to than Net Galley for granted me mu wish and allowing me to read this ARC. I have to say that this story really touched my heart because it touches on real life issues that young adults go through on a daily basis.
Abby has everything in her one day and the next due to something her mother did they are up and moving to another town. Abby can’t believe it because this is her last year of high school and she doesn’t want to up and change schools even though she doesn’t have any friends and she doesn’t have a boyfriend either. But her mother has messed up and her actions have caused the family to have to move. Only when the family moves to a new town they are homeless and are having issues that are causing the family to fight.
Abby is pissed off at her mother but her step father keeps trying to tell Abby that things will get better. Abby starts a new school and she is instantly being bullied which causes her to shut down instead of stand up for herself. Things get worse and Abby thinks her life is over but she holds on and decides to stick it out with her family.
This is a must read story about homelessness and bullying and family sticking together. Everyday teens go through these issues and some deal with it and others give up and commit suicide. Abby chose life thank God but it could have gone the other way.
Roam is a compelling, accurate look into the life of a homeless teen. A must-read for all young people to understand the hardship of homelessness and how they can reach out to help others.
Armstrong’s book pays compassionate and eloquent attention to teenage angst and love amidst the backdrop of homelessness.
In her warm and hopeful novel, C.H. Armstrong has created a spirited heroine who triumphs over her circumstances thanks to those who believe in her; friends, family, teachers and ultimately, herself.
This book provides the most hopeful reading experience. As my daughter has recently entered her teenage years I’ve been reading more teenage/YA fiction to pass along to her. Through this endeavor I found Roam and delighted in every single page. C.H. Armstrong penned a beautifully written novel of survival, hope, and forgiveness through the keen and overlooked eyes of a bitter, confused yet strong-willed teenager.
C.H. Armstrong opens Abby’s story in Rochester, Michigan where her family, after unfortunate circumstances, have relocated and are now living … in their van. Homeless, confused, angry, scared, and cynical Abby finds herself at a new school where she quickly becomes the object of the most popular boys affection. Just as quickly Abby is surrounded by new friends for whom she’s skeptical but excited at the prospect of understanding meaningful friendship. Her deeply engaging and beautifully journey continues from that point forward with a few memories triggered with new experiences. While keeping her monumental secret because she’s a teenager and she’s ashamed, Abby learns to trust and to forgive and to feel very big emotions in healthy ways. Another girl can’t stand her, her relationship with her Mother is rocky at best, and she finds herself enamored with a boy so different from her all while eating free meals at the Salvation Army and sneaking into Wal Mart for bathroom privileges.
Roam provides a wonderfully positive view from a not so wonderful part of life that so many teenagers and families face. This book turns bullying on it’s ugly head without remorse and gave a parent like me with a wallflower kind of child hope that the kindness of people will always overcome the cruelness of others. Abby learns important life lessons she wouldn’t of otherwise learned without hardship and she finds a voice she never knew she wanted or needed.
I loved this book very much and found Armstrong’s storytelling a great way to kick off a new year of reading. Hopeful, positive, enlightening and charming – Roam is a must read for fans of YA fiction.
This is such a sad story about what can and does happen right here in the US everyday. Families losing everything. Children going from a beautiful home to the streets. When a family loses it all and end up on the streets it’s nothing to be made fun of. It’s when our country should come together and help. But it doesn’t happen. People are afraid it will rub off on them. Kids can be cruel. Grown ups can be cruel.
This young girl does what she has to to keep her secret. To keep her friends and stay in school. I commend her for staying in school. Doing the best they can they survive.
A very emotional story of having it all and losing everything. The cruelty of who you thought were friends and how to survive in a new place out of your van. I would never wish this on anyone. It’s sad beyond belief in my personal opinion.
I recommend this book highly. Especially to teens in high school. Well to young adults and old alike. Never judge others as you have no idea how they got where they are.
Thank you NetGalley and Central Avenue Publishing for an ARC of this book. It’s a definite 5 stars and I usually do not like YA books. Loved it. Felt the sadness and loved the characters.