This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Philip Van Heusen for Readers' Favorite
Ree Augustine shares a bittersweet story about a dog named Hangabout and a cat named Bean. In Hangabout: Far from Home, Hangabout’s keeper, Grifter, takes him far from home and then deserts him. Your child will enjoy the two companions’ adventures as they search for their keepers. Hangabout learns many life lessons as they travel toward home. It can be dangerous to trust everyone, and Hangabout learns to be careful. After meeting other animals on their journey, what do you think Hangabout finds when they finally reach his house? What sad story does Hangabout learn about Bean’s keeper? As your child reads this story, they will have many questions about some of the situations in which Hangabout and Bean find themselves. After the duo’s trauma, seeing them find a forever keeper is nice.
Tales of desertion are often too intense for younger children, but around age seven would be a good time to introduce them to Hangabout: Far from Home by Ree Augustine. Life is difficult, but this book teaches your child never to give up and what resilience is. The cat, Bean, is a streetwise realist who always advises vigilance. Erica Wolf does a masterful job of illustrating the story and adding a visual appeal to the words. One life lesson this book teaches is the need to be accepted and loved. Searching for a safe person to be a forever friend is fraught with dangers and struggles. However, knowing you have found someone you can trust is well worth the work. Be sure to discuss the different betrayals and desertions found in this book. Do not forget to encourage your child to keep hope alive. At the end of the book are some great discussion questions to discuss with your child to help them process the story.
