DUET FOR HOME
Grades 5 and Up
Karina Yan Glaser
Clarion, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-54487-640-8
368 pp.
Summary
Huey House, a homeless shelter, is home for Tyrell and his mother while she is out of work, and now for June and family, after the traumatic loss of her father leaves them adrift. Both kids find solace in classical music and connect over music lessons with a persnickety neighbor. When proposed changes in the city’s homelessness policies threaten the housing program, June and Tyrell rally the residents of Huey House to fight for the organization that has meant so much to them.
Curriculum Connections
Music
June is a student of the viola and Tyrell starts to learn violin. Research the two instruments. See:
Nelson, Sheila M. The Violin and Viola: History, Structure, Techniques. Dover Publications, 2003.
Pinksterboer, Hugo. Tipbook Violin and Viola. Hal Leonard, 2008.
Storey, Rita. The Violin and Other Stringed Instruments. Smart Apple Media, 2009.
Learn about and listen to the viola and the violin.
How are they similar? What are the main differences in appearance?
How do they sound? What factors contribute to the differences in sound?
Are they played the same way? What skills are transferable from one instrument to the other?
Several composers were mentioned in the course of the story. Learn something about them and listen to samples of their music.
For information on the lives of the musicians, see:
Krull, Kathleen. Lives of the Musicians: Good Times, Bad Times (and What the Neighbors Thought). Clarion Books, 2013.
Venezia, Mike. Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Composers series. Children’s Press.
For musical selections, see:
Five Minutes That Will Make You Love Bach
Telemann's Viola Concerto in G Major
Which composer do you like best? What do you like about them?
Social Studies
Learn about homelessness. Vermont is currently undergoing a housing crisis with one of the highest rates of unhoused individuals in the country. The Vermont Department of Human Services has information about the challenge and some of the resources available. Identify three resources that could help someone in need of housing and answer the following questions:
How hard was it to learn that this resource existed?
Who can use this resource? Is it limited by age or gender? Do you need to have a phone or access to the internet to access this program or resource?
Is there a waiting period? Is the program temporary, like the proposed changes to Huey House? Are there other terms or limitations to which individuals must comply?
Research the problem and write to a legislator. Your voice is valuable. Read some recent articles about changes in homelessness policies. A teacher, parent, or librarian can help you to find the most up-to-date reporting at the local level. Let those who serve in the government know how you feel about the homelessness crisis. Here are some ways to contact government officials in Vermont:
Write to the governor here. This form makes reaching the governor easy!
Write to a Vermont Congressperson. Find out who your representative is and how to contact him/her/they.
Discussion Questions
What were some of the situations that led to the families needing Huey House? Did you find it easier to relate to some families than others? Why do you think that is?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of June continuing to attend the same school after her housing situation changes?
Huey House was a home for many different people. Who was your favorite character and why?
Why was June’s viola confiscated when she entered Huey House? Does the reasoning make sense to you? What would be a way to allow residents to practice music and what would the advantages be?
Why did Tyrell react so strongly to being called a criminal by June?
What kind of person is Dominica? Do you think she makes a good music teacher? Why or why not?
Author Online
Karina Yan Glaser lives in New York with her husband, children, dog, and three cats – and says that one of her proudest achievements is raising two kids who can’t go anywhere without a book. She teaches and implements literacy programs in family homeless shelters and recruits health professionals to volunteer in under-resourced regions of the glove. She is a contributing editor at Book Riot.
Companion Books
Crenshaw
Katherine Applegate (Square Fish, 2017)
Crenshaw, a large, opinionated, and imaginary cat, shows up to help Jackson in times of trouble – like now, when his family has to live in their minivan again.
No Fixed Address
Susin Nielsen (Yearling, 2020)
Twelve-year-old Felix’s mother, Astrid, has lost her job again, so they’re living in a van – though Felix has a plan to solve their problems by winning a spot on a trivia game show.
The Bridge Home
Padma Venkatraman (Nancy Paulsen books, 2020)
Sisters Viji and Rukku run away from trouble at home, and find shelter, friendship, and family with two homeless boys living under an abandoned bridge.
Lizzie Flying Solo
Nanci Turner Steveson (HarperCollins, 2019)
Lizzie is having a hard time living in a homeless shelter – but she finds help at the nearby Birchwood Stables, especially with a frightened pony named Fire.
Paper Things
Jennifer Richard Jacobson (Candlewick, 2017)
Ari has chosen to live with her brother Gage rather than her guardian – but Gage has no home, which leaves them continually scrambling for a place to stay and leaves Ari struggling with her hopes of attending a school for the gifted.