SOMETHING LIKE HOME by Andrea Beatriz Arango

 

Laura is living with her aunt Titi Silvia. She feels sad and alone. When her aunt, who is a doctor, isn't at work at the hospital, she is sleeping and getting ready to work again. Laura has everything she needs, but she misses her mom and dad.

Laura realizes that not living with her parents is probably her fault. She keeps remembering coming home and finding them motionless in the apartment. Dailing 911 was important and necessary, but that is what led to social services coming and Laura ending up with her aunt. If only she could visit them in rehab. Then she could tell them how sorry she is. 

There are a few bright spots. There's finding a dog that Titi lets her keep. There's the idea of training the dog to be a therapy dog in hopes of taking him to visit her parents at rehab. There's also a new friend named Benson.

SOMETHING LIKE HOME by Andrea Beatriz Arango explores the world of foster care and kinship care in today's diversified family structures. Readers will cheer for Laura and perhaps shed a few tears for her as she struggles to create a place that feels like home.