Fly Away Home- Eve Bunting (1991)

This book is about Andrew and his father. They live in an airport because they are homeless. They spend their time moving around the terminals so they don't get noticed by airport security. Both Andrew and his father work hard to save money to one day own an apartment.

From looking at the cover of this book, I would have no idea it was about a homeless boy and his father choosing to live in an airport instead of on the streets. This has been my favorite Eve Bunting book so far. I really like the way she tackles a hard topic. This book addresses a mature topic, but the language used is still appropriate for a younger audience. This book also addresses a variety of emotions felt by Andrew and how he must appropriately deal with them. As you read the book, it really seems as if you are hearing the voice of a young boy through the way his thoughts are written. The illustrations also reinforce the most important aspect of Andrew and his father's lives, not getting caught. If you study the illustrations, you notice that
Andrew and his father are generally found in the background and their features are less defined as others. This helps the viewer get the feel that they blend into the background instead of stand out among a crowd.

This book could be used in my future classroom to help explain some tough topics. One of my concerns as a teacher is being asked questions about tough topics. Having this book as a reference would help guide me to give an appropriate answer. It could also be a reference if parents would like to know how I would address questions that students would have. Homelessness is a well known topic, especially to those who live in big cities. Although it is a tough topic to teach, this book gives a softer view of the issue.  The main character is a young boy, which is more relatable for elementary students. This would be a good book to refer to if students have any questions about homelessness. Andrew would also be a character that a student could relate to if they are living in a similar situation so they know that they are not alone in what they are dealing with.