A review by kfirstbrook
Closer to Nowhere by Ellen Hopkins

5.0

Closer to Nowhere tackles so many difficult topics, and handles them all with honesty and bravery. 12 year old Cal has lost his mother and moves in with his Aunt and family while his father is incarcerated. Cal suffers from PTSD and his description of the buzzing in his head, his explosive anger and inability to connect will resonate with so many students. And for those students who don't struggle in the same ways as Cal, they will have the opportunity to grow in their empathy right along with Cal's cousin Hannah.
This story oozes with honesty . . . it's not an easy story and the characters are complicated. But this mirrors real life. I'm so thankful for a story where students can either see themselves or learn to see others through more thoughtful and compassionate eyes.