Like Home

(Paperback)

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Description

Fans of Netflix's On My Block and readers of Elizabeth Acevedo and Angie Thomas will love this debut novel about a girl whose life is turned upside down after one local act of vandalism throws both her relationships and neighborhood into turmoil. Chinelo, or Nelo as her best friend Kate calls her, is all about her neighborhood Ginger East. She loves its chill vibe, ride-or-die sense of community, and the memories she has growing up there with her friends. Ginger East isn't what it used to be though. After a deadly incident at the local arcade, most of her friends' families moved away. Kate, whose family owns the local corner store, is still there and as long as that stays constant, Nelo's good. When Kate's parent's store is vandalized and the vandal still at large, Nelo is shaken to her core. And then the police and the media get involved and more of the outside world descends upon Ginger East with promises to "fix the neighborhood." Suddenly, Nelo finds herself in the middle of a drama unfolding on a national scale. Worse yet, Kate is acting strange. She's pushing Nelo away at the exact moment they need each other most. Now Nelo's entire world is morphing into something she hates and she must figure out how to get things back on track or risk losing everything--and everyone--she loves.

Reviews

A fierce main character, an enthralling mystery, and a cause to root for. Like Home is a stirring coming-of-age story set in the midst of gentrification and a community on edge. Namina Forna, New York Times bestselling author of The Gilded Ones

A phenomenal coming-of-age story that centers on Black girlhood, the not-so-subtle violence of gentrification, and friendship. Louisa Onom presents us with a compelling and beautifully written tale about love and loss. Faridah bk-ymd, author of Ace of Spades

Brimming with charm and heart, Like Home is a powerful commentary on gentrification, perfect for anyone whos ever loved a place so much it felt like family. Roseanne A. Brown, New York Times and Indie bestselling author of A Song of Wraiths and Ruin

"The effortless diversity of the cast is a model for fiction. Light and serious, playful and real, this is a debut not to be missed." Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"A touching coming-of-age story, highly recommended for audiences looking for titleslike Angie Thomass The Hate U Give and Nic Stones Dear Martin. A must-have." SLJ, starred review

Louisa Onomes Like Home is a poignant debut filled with exquisite prose, a dash of mystery, and most importantly, a whole lot of heart. Youll be thinking about Nelo and her friends long after the last page, and youll fall so in love with Ginger East that youll want to step right into the neighborhood. I highly recommend this read! June Hur, author of The Silence of Bones

"Evocative and gratifyingly immersive, Like Home brings the idea of community to brilliant life. With expertly-drawn characters and a setting so alive it becomes another character we root for, Louisa Onome has written a celebration of the humancapacity to find and re-find home." S.K. Ali, author of Saints and Misfits

This moment needs this booka stirring, vivid, achingly true love song to activism, friendship, culture, neighborhood, and community. Louisa Onom is a bright new star in YA. Jeff Zentner, Morris Awardwinning author of The Serpent King and Goodbye Days

"Chinelos unwavering devotion and hope for her hometown drive this debut; Onom delves into the meaning of home and the negative impacts of redevelopment. Publishers Weekly

Author Bio

Louisa Onome holds a BA in professional writing from York University and lives in Toronto. Her debut novel is Like Home. To learn more about Louisa and her books visit louisaonome.com or follow @louisaonome_ on Twitter and @louisaonome on Instagram.