Retelling: This was an autobiography of Rex Ogle's 6th grade year. He explored feelings of shame at his own poverty in a school where it seemed everyone had money. Poverty loomed large in his home life as well, possessing his mother and stepfather like a poltergeist and turning them into verbally, and physically abusive parents. At the end of the book, Rex's Mom got a job and a huge weight was lifted. His mother and step father both softened without the pressure to save and pay, and he remembered moments of joy and love. There's a lot that money can buy and poverty is cruel.

Thoughts and feelings: As I was reading about the abuse that this man experienced in sixth grade, it did occur to me that his real life was not appropriate for a sixth grader. I wanted to scream, "get out! You are way to young to hear these words, and feel this pain." I'm glad the book is available to young people so that children who are going through a similar experience won't feel so strange and alone.

I'm not sure what it means that I couldn't recommend this autobiography to my whole class. I'm not sure what it means that I would be afraid how the fear, anger, and hatred of someone's real life would be too frightening for some.

Given that this book was written for middle-grade audiences, and is shelved in the children's section (at my library), my wish is that the ending was more developed, and that there were resources, or perhaps an author interview at the end. ( )

Free Lunch – Rex Ogle
Genre: Middle Grade, Memoir
Source: I purchased a copy
Middle school is tough. Most sixth graders feel like a fish out of water on the first day. There are class changes, often it is a new school and then, there is lunch. For Rex Ogle his first year in sixth grade is made tougher by the fact his mom has signed him up for free lunch at his school. He must tell the lunch lady each time he gets lunch that he is on the free program. This is such an embarrassment for him, especially since he has to shout it since the lunch lady can’t hear him. Rex has told his story so honestly it is raw. You feel for him when they are evicted and must live in government housing. It wasn’t bad enough everyone he was once friends with knows he gets free lunch. Their new housing sits close enough to the school that everyone will soon know how poor he is. As a teacher I found myself very irritated at the teacher who decided Rex would be a trouble maker simply on first impressions. I am not naïve enough to think that all teachers are compassionate. I have worked with many teachers that made me wonder why they became a teacher. It wasn’t because they truly loved children. Their behavior told a different story. This story resonates with all kids at all levels. I understood how Rex felt. We went through a financial crisis when I was a teen. I chose not to eat lunch and tell others I just wasn’t hungry. It was less embarrassing. Poverty hits children of all colors and all ages. Thankfully today, students scan their ID card for lunch. No one needs to know if they get free lunch or not. This book has a long waiting list in my class. I recommend it to all teens. ( )

We've had this book in the library for a couple of years, and I noticed the third part is coming out. When I saw that the third book book takes place in Abilene, TX, I had to read this book because I grew up there. This book is a memoir--looking back at his childhood, so it's a true story about the author's 6th grade year.

Rex states that he lives in Birmingham, TX. I can't find this supposed city on a map, so I guess he is keeping the town vague so that he can't offend people there. He has few possessions--he is capital P-O-O-R. He hates it. He believes that money can buy love and money makes life much easier. You can eat and no one looks at you funny for your second-hand ill-fitting clothing. In this memoir, Rex tells about one year. His mother and her boyfriend, Sam, fail to find a job, so they owe money to just about every business or utility. This inability to have food and money makes his mother and Sam violent. If domestic violence will upset you, I would plan to skip over a few pages. There's nothing graphic or detailed, but it's still disturbing when anyone gets beat up. He loves his Abuela, but she is three hours away in Abilene. She offers kindness and love that he cherishes.

Rex also has problems at school. He's embarrassed to be on the free lunch list and finds one of his teachers hateful toward him. His friends aren't particularly friendly, making fun of him in the guise of joking. He often contains his anger because he doesn't want to be someone who resorts to violence. He is a good student, however.

It's hard to put the book down. There's something always going on in his life, so it's definitely a page-turner. Those of you who love realistic fiction, will devour this book, especially because it's true. ( )

I really enjoyed this one. This was an amazing middle school non-fiction book that is full of truth about poverty, mental health, neglect, and domestic violence. But it is also full of strength, hope, and optimism and resilience. Wow! Rex’s story is incredibly realistic and familiar to anyone who has had to use WIC, food stamps, or scrounge around for change to buy milk or gas. I found myself crying at times when reading this, and I can’t wait to find the sequel. I’m so proud of the author for overcoming everything he had to deal with and ending up a true success. ( )