Welcome to Litsy!

This memoir is a brutally honest reflection about the overwhelming emotions of growing up in poverty. Sixth-grader Rex feels incredible shame at the stigma of being in the free lunch program and inability to afford school supplies, on top of trying to shield his little brother from the DV between his stepfather and mother. Ultimately the book ends in a positive note as the family finds help.

Winner of the 2020 YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction award

I‘m on the team helping with our county‘s Battle of the Books for 5th-8th grades at the local schools, and this was one of the assigned books for the 7th/8th grade group. What a heartbreaking, eye-opening read. 😭 #freelunch #rexogle #memoir

It's a beautiful day, and the pollen has finally calmed down, so I've decided to enjoy my lunch on the front porch. A #FavoriteReadingSpot for me!
#LitsyLoveBingo #LitsyLove
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @TieDyeDude @Read4life

I can‘t remember where I got the recommendation for this book. This was a very eye opening perspective of poverty for children. What‘s it‘s like to be a kid who is so poor they can‘t afford food and still trying to fit in with friends and be a good human and not feel shame. It‘s a very quick read.

I could have done without the stretch of politics at the start. The story itself of the food all going bad was good, and to what lengths will people go to get (and/or stockpile) food. Even more so, I could have also done without every female character having big boobs and a ton of sex; and all the derogatory comments toward the woman characters. Cont in comments...

Great Story… based on the author‘s real life. This story really pulls at your heart strings. Makes me appreciate everything I have. A must read.

I‘m about 3/4 of the way through… the book is written from the perspective of a 6th grader so the writing is really simple but gut wrenching. Obviously there‘s a lot of talk of food insecurity, and I just got done with a pivotal point that just broke me!! I don‘t think I‘ve ever cried this hard after reading a chapter!! Agh 😰 this book is too much for my heart.

Here we go. Hoping this is a quick read.

Sweet story.

When Rex starts middle school, lunch becomes a time of embarrassment & shame: for the first time he‘s in the free lunch program.His life is dictated by poverty, experiencing & witnessing abuse: his mother beats him, her boyfriend beats her.Somehow he manages to stay out of trouble,control his own anger &frustration,make smart choices.Great character development & storytelling! Wonderful book. Loved it