A Note from Linda

There are SO many reasons I love this book: different structures, opportunities to do some deep thinking, poetic forms, spot-on snarky inner dialogue, gut-wrenching one minute and laugh-out-loud the next… and vocabulary. But it is Finn who wins you over. You root for him on every page as he goes on a journey of grief, growth, and life.

Messner touches on big issues - grief, anger, family, gender, PTSD, alcoholism - but with a gentle touch that makes this book perfect for 5th to 8th graders … even adults. Authentic, but not morose. It brims with the hope and healing that comes after tragedy, both personal and global.

Bring vocabulary to life with Growing Home by Beth Ferry — a magical, humorous read-aloud that models word consciousness and the power of belonging. This Grades 3–5 lesson plan offers ready-to-use vocabulary lists, pacing guides, and discussion prompts to help students fall in love with language while exploring what it means to call a place “home.” Download the full lesson plan and discover how to turn every word into an opportunity for JOYful learning.