Rachel and Her Children: Homeless Families in America
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1988
303
Book • Nonfiction
New York City • 1980s
1988
Adult
18+ years
Rachel and Her Children: Homeless Families in America by Jonathan Kozol provides an intimate look into the daily lives of homeless families in America, shedding light on the failures of bureaucracy and the dire consequences of insufficient affordable housing. Kozol illustrates the relentless cycle of temporary housing, policy-induced hardships, and the severe psychological toll on individuals, especially children, documenting the struggles of families in places like New York City's shelter system. Throughout the book, there are depictions of unsafe living conditions, substance abuse, and sex work for survival.
Informative
Dark
Unnerving
Challenging
Emotional
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Jonathan Kozol's Rachel and Her Children: Homeless Families in America garners praise for its poignant, humanizing portrayal of homelessness and compelling narrative. Critics commend its rigorous research and emotional depth but note that its bleak perspective and heavy focus on individual stories may overwhelm some readers. Overall, it is an impactful, if somber, read.
Readers who appreciated The Other America by Michael Harrington or Evicted by Matthew Desmond will find Jonathan Kozol's Rachel and Her Children: Homeless Families in America compelling. It's ideal for those interested in social justice, urban poverty, and firsthand narratives of homelessness in the United States.
1,624 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
303
Book • Nonfiction
New York City • 1980s
1988
Adult
18+ years
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