Free Lunch is a middle-grade memoir by Rex Ogle, published September 10, 2019, by Norton Young Readers. The book follows Ogle's middle school experience of being "a poor kid in a wealthy school district."[1]

Free Lunch
AuthorRex Ogle
LanguageEnglish
SubjectChildhood poverty, Poverty in the United States
GenreMiddle grade, Memoir
PublisherNorton Young Readers
Publication date
September 10, 2019
Media typePrint, Audio
Pages224
ISBN9781324016946

Reception

edit

Free Lunch is a Junior Library Guild selection[2] and was generally well-received, including starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews,[3] Publishers Weekly,[4] and School Library Journal.[5]

Kirkus Reviews called the book "A mighty portrait of poverty amid cruelty and optimism."[6] Publishers Weekly applauded how Ogle "captures the experience of chronic poverty in the United States."[4] They continued, stating that while "Ogle doesn’t shy away from the circumstances ... there is no shortage of humor, human kindness, and kid hijinks."[4]

The Chicago Public Library[7] and Kirkus Reviews[8] named Free Lunch one of the best middle grade children's books of 2019.

Awards and honors for Free Lunch
Year Award/Honor Result Ref.
2020 Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults Award Winner [9]
2022 Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award Nominee [10]

References

edit
  1. ^ "Free Lunch". Goodreads. Retrieved 2022-02-20.
  2. ^ "Free Lunch by Rex Ogle". Junior Library Guild. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
  3. ^ "Free Lunch". Kirkus Reviews. 2019-06-16. Retrieved 2022-02-20.
  4. ^ a b c "Free Lunch by Rex Ogle". Publishers Weekly. 2019-07-18. Retrieved 2023-07-01.
  5. ^ Sommer, Shelley (2019-10-04). "Free Lunch". School Library Journal. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
  6. ^ "Free Lunch". Kirkus Reviews. 2019-06-16. Retrieved 2022-02-20.
  7. ^ "Best Informational Books for Older Readers of 2019". Chicago Public Library. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
  8. ^ "Best of 2019". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
  9. ^ "Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults | Awards & Grants". American Library Association. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
  10. ^ "2022 Master List Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award Illinois Children's Choice Award" (PDF). Rebecca Caudill Young Readers’ Book Award. February 8, 2021. Retrieved 2022-02-20.