Book Review of Free Lunch by Rex Ogle

 

1.     Bibliography

Ogle, R. (2019). Free lunch. Norton Young Readers.  ISBN: 9781324003601

2.     Plot Summary

We learn about Rex who is beginning middle school and starts with so much excitement.  That is followed by almost immediately being let down as he realizes that he is not like all the other students in his school because he lives in poverty and qualifies for the free lunch program.  This unfortunately makes Rex attract people who bully him and make him feel bad.  Not only does Rex deal with the kids at school making fun of him but he also must deal with a stepfather who is abusive and a mom with a temper.  There is some light in the tunnel because he finds moments where teachers and friends give him kindness and hope.  Rex makes friends with a boy named Ethan and that really helps Rex see other perspectives because he comes from a home with money, but Rex realizes that even people with money still have problems.  Rex shows that he can overcome adversity and still have a good sense of humor while doing it. 

3.     Critical Analysis

In this memoir we learn about the author Rex who faces a lot of challenges in his younger years and especially the years in middle school.  Ogle portrays his younger self and shows the reader the hardships he faces.  Through these hardships Ogle shows authenticity because of first-person narration and the reader can empathize with his character.  Teens and young adults will not have a hard time relating to this story because many of our younger students are facing the same fate.  There are so many students that face poverty and Ogle can connect with these students in this story not only with physical limitations but also the emotional toll of poverty.  Despite having these hardships, Ogle shows the reader that there is hope and he shows determination and resilience that will have a positive affect on readers.  Free Lunch shows readers that no matter what their circumstance is they can always find positives and work their way out into a better life. 

4.     Review Excerpts

Winner of the 2020 YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award.

"Outstanding, gracious writing and a clear eye for the penetrating truth. A mighty portrait of poverty amid cruelty and optimism."
― Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Heart-wrenching, timely, and beautifully written, this is a powerful and urgent work."
― School Library Journal (starred review)

5.     Connections

*I would challenge students to write about a time when they felt bullied or troubled and how they overcame the situation or what they would want to do differently.

*Other books that talk about poverty

-No Ballet Shoes in Syria by Catherine Bruton

-Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna