Free Lunch
Free Lunch is the story of Rex's efforts to navigate his first semester of sixth grade--who to sit with, not being able to join the football team, Halloween in a handmade costume, classmates and a teacher who take one look at him and decide he's trouble--all while wearing secondhand clothes and being hungry. His mom and her boyfriend are out of work, and life at home is punctuated by outbursts of violence. Halfway through the semester, his family is evicted and ends up in government-subsidized housing in view of the school. Rex lingers at the end of last period every day until the buses have left, so no one will see where he lives.
Unsparing and realistic, Free Lunch is a story of hardship threaded with hope and moments of grace. Rex's voice is compelling and authentic, and Free Lunch is a true, timely, and essential work that illuminates the lived experience of poverty in America.
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Community Reviews
When I started reading this book, one line stood out to me and I thought the book was going to really follow that line: "One of the wheels is wonky and spins left and right instead of rolling straight. I consider putting it back, getting a new one, but then I feel bad for it. It's not the cart's fault it's messed up." Part of the book did follow this theme, but there was so much more than I expected. To be honest, I had to take a break from the book at certain times because some of the abuse was just too much. Although I do not condone what the mother and stepfather did to each other and to Rex, there were some reasons behind it. When you don't have enough money to provide for yourself and your family, when you are struggling to find a job, stress becomes unbearable. And for many stress comes out in anger. I have felt it myself at times. Luciana never should have treated Rex or her mother that way but it is hard to understand the feelings behind it until you experience it for yourself. However, I am really glad that this book did turn in a positive direction. As Rex says in the Author's Note, "No child should feel alone. They need to know that their circumstances are not their fault. No one can take away your most powerful gift - your ability to hope for the better." Rex was a pretty spectacular kid with everything he went through. He was always loving and protective of his brother. And although he was angry much of the time, he never gave up hope. For me, the line that ended up sticking with me after closing the cover was this: "Money isn't everything. Trust me. My family has money, but that doesn't mean we're happy. Things aren't always like they seem."
I highly recommend this book. Some parts are tough but it is written so well and touches on a subject that many have trouble talking about!!
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