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Join award-winning author Rex Ogle as he talks about his struggles to navigate sixth grade as written about in his book "Free Lunch." Unsparing and realistic, Ogle shares a story of hardship threaded with hope and moments of grace. Kids and teens, grades 5-8. Register to get a link. A recording will also be available for later viewing.
Join award-winning author Rex Ogle as he talks to viewers about his struggles to navigate sixth grade as written about in his book "Free Lunch."
Instead of giving him lunch money, Rex’s mom has signed him up for free meals. As a poor kid in a wealthy school district, better-off kids crowd impatiently behind him as he tries to explain to the cashier that he’s on the free meal program. The lunch lady is hard of hearing, so Rex has to shout.
"Free Lunch" is the story of Rex’s efforts to navigate his first semester of sixth grade — who to sit with, not being able to join the football team, Halloween in a handmade costume, classmates and a teacher who take one look at him and decided he is trouble — all while wearing secondhand clothes and being hungry. His mom and her boyfriend are out of work, and life at home is punctuated by outbursts of violence. Halfway through the semester, his family is evicted and ends up in government-subsidized housing in view of the school. Rex lingers at the end of last period every day until the buses have left, so no one will see where he lives.
Unsparing and realistic, "Free Lunch" is a story of hardship threaded with hope and moments of grace. Rex’s voice is compelling and authentic, and "Free Lunch" is a true, timely and essential work that illuminates the lived experience of poverty in America.
Kids and teens, grades 5-8. Register to get a link. A recording will also be available for later viewing.
About the Author: Rex Ogle is the author of "Free Lunch," winner of the YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults Award; "Punching Bag," a New York Public Library Best Book; "Abuela Don’t Forget Me," finalist for the YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults Award; and "Road Home," which received a Printz Honor and a Stonewall Book Award Honor. He lives in Los Angeles, California.
This event is part of DBRL's Online Author Series, supported by David Lile honorarium funds. A recording will also be available for later viewing on the author series site.
AGE GROUP: | Teens | School-Age |
EVENT TYPE: | Featured | Books & Authors |
TAGS: | Online Author Series | Book Discussion |
Please note that this program is taking place online or via broadcast rather than at a physical location. Please see the event description for details on where to view or tune in.
