Free Lunch is a memoir, or an autobiographical story about one part of the author’s life. It’s about author Rex Ogle’s experience at home and at school during the first semester of sixth grade.
Free Lunch is one of TFK’s recommended books from 2019. After we made our picks, we handed them off to our team of TFK Kid Reporters. Here, TFK Kid Reporter Priscilla Ho shares her review.
We’ll be posting more reviews throughout winter break. Check back on Monday to read about Pavi Sharma’s Guide to Going Home, by Bridget Farr.
In Free Lunch, author Rex Ogle tells the true story of his turbulent sixth-grade year. His mother and her boyfriend can’t find jobs and are often not home, leaving Rex to take care of his little brother, Ford. At school, Rex is in the free-lunch program, but he doesn’t want the rich kids to know. He feels ashamed.
This book takes a very honest look at poverty and what happens when kids have to fend for themselves. The characters feel super real. Rex does not sugarcoat any of his feelings.
For readers who have experienced poverty, Free Lunch will let them know they are not alone. Those who haven’t will feel compassion for Rex and his brother. I also think every politician should read this book.
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