No Place to be
Voices of Homeless Children
by Judith Berck
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 1992
Great fit for 6th grade
Reading level and content both target 6th grade and up · ages 11+
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Genre
Themes
- poverty and inequality
- resilience
- family bonds
- empathy and understanding
- social justice
- hope
- community and support
About this book
Through interviews and photographs, this nonfiction book shares the real voices of children experiencing homelessness in shelters and welfare hotels. Readers learn how kids navigate school, friendships, and family life while facing uncertainty and stigma. Clear, compassionate writing makes complex social issues understandable for middle schoolers and up. It’s a powerful, eye-opening read that builds empathy and sparks conversation.
Setting: urban United States (primarily shelters and welfare hotels), late 1980s–early 1990s
Frequently Asked Questions
Is No Place to be right for my child?
Yes — No Place to be is a great fit for 6th grade. The reading level is AR 6.4, which is typical for 6th grade. The interest level is rated Middle Grades Plus (6+), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 11+ (6th grade and up). Themes include poverty and inequality, resilience, family bonds.
How long does it take to read No Place to be?
At a typical 6th grade reading pace, No Place to be takes around 3.2h to finish. The book has 34,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does No Place to be have an AR quiz?
Yes — No Place to be has an AR quiz available, worth 6 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is No Place to be?
No Place to be has an AR reading level of 6.4, which places it at a 6th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Middle Grades Plus (6+) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.