How to Steal a Dog by Barbara O'Connor

How to Steal a Dog by Barbara O'Connor 170 pages Living in the family car in their small North Carolina town after their father leaves them virtually penniless, Georgina, desperate to improve their situation and unwilling to accept her overworked mother's calls for patience, persuades her younger brother to help her in an elaborate scheme to get money by stealing a dog and then claiming the reward that the owners are bound to offer This book was not anything that I thought it would be from the title!! A homeless family living in a car, the children try to make money so they can move into an apartment...even if it means stealing a dog. The narrator of the book, the daughter, is very disrepectful to her mother (not a good example since this is a childre's book) and some of the things I would not feel comfortable with my elementary student reading. The ending does show the strength in honesty and family.

The Butterfly Girl by Rene Denfeld

The Butterfly Girl by Rene Denfeld - 264 pages
Book 2 in The Child Finder series

Private Investigator Naomi made a promise to herself a year ago that she would find her lost sister before she tackled any more new cases.  One of her few leads has led her to Portland, Oregon where scores of homeless children roam the streets unheard and unseen by mainstream society except when the bodies of young street girls start showing up in area rivers.  Naomi's search for her sister draws her into trying to help a street kid named Celia who is fighting demons on the street and at home.  Denfeld's writing style is a glowing magical realism that sheds light on the darkest places in society and the human soul.   

QQ Sweeper, v. 1 by Kyousuke Motomi

QQ Sweeper, v. 1 by Kyousuke Motomi - 200 pages

Fumi Nishioka has a dream of finding a rich guy who will fall in love with her and rescue her from her poor, homeless existence.  One night while sleeping in her new school's outbuilding, she meets cleaner Kyutaro Horikita.  Turns out he doesn't just have an obsession with cleaning . . . he's actually cleaning out spirits that feed and promote negative energy.  Now Fumi is also becoming a "sweeper" to Horikita with his job.

This is the first in a new supernatural manga series.  I read it on a recommendation but am not sure that I really liked it all that much.  I'm not sure if I'll keep reading or not.

Concealed in Death by J.D. Robb

Concealed in Death by J.D. Robb - 402 pages

During demolition to rehab a long abandoned building, the skeletons of twelve teenage girls are found.  Now Eve Dallas must discover not just who killed them but who they even were.

I listened to this on audiobook.  I really enjoy the Eve Dallas books on audio.  The narration is good.  The mysteries are compelling yet not too difficult to pay attention to while driving.

Under the Overpass: A Journey of Faith on the Streets of America by Mike Yankoski

Under the Overpass: A Journey of Faith on the Streets of America by Mike Yankoski -- 256 pages

Mike Yankoski was a young college student when he began to wonder what it would be like to really have to rely on God for his daily needs. He was convicted by his meaningless prayer, "Give us this day our daily bread," when he would after that go about his work to provide it himself. He decided after much prayer and counseling to experience what it was like to be homeless.

Mike paired up with a buddy named Sam and the two of them hit the streets, going to three different cities to live homeless with only a $3 sleeping mat, a backpack, a guitar, a Bible, and a journal.

Mike and Sam's account of living homeless is an eye opener to what it is really like to live on the streets. People turn away because you smell, they don't trust you because you are so ragged, and they don't help you because they assume you are on drugs or alcohol.

This story is one of faith and dependency on God, but even if you are not a Christian, it may answer some questions you've had and inspire you to help those in less fortunate situations.