Pieces of Me by Darlene Ryan

Maddie is living on the streets when she meets Q, a young man in a similar situation.  When a desperate mother leaves her young child with the two of them, Maddie and Q are suddenly a family.  Maddie sees her dreams of finishing school moving further away; as she tries to adjust, Q focuses on becoming a provider.  How will these changes impact their relationship and their shared quest for shelter? Orca delivers characters students can care about, even if they can’t relate to the nondescript setting.  Reading specialists may want to know about this title for working with students who are developing confidence reading chapter books for its simple language, straightforward structure, and emotionally sophisticated protagonist. --Jessica Fenster-Sparber

Ryan, Darlene.  Pieces of Me.  Victoria: Orca Book Publishers, 2012.  Print.