Keesha's House by Helen Frost

Bibliography:
Frost, H. 2003. KEESHA’S HOUSE. New York, NY: Frances Foster Books. ISBN: 0374340641

Plot Summary:
Keesha’s House tells the stories of seven troubled teens who are facing issues of pregnancy, abuse, abandonment, drugs, imprisonment, foster homes, and homosexuality. Joe owns a house with a blue door where he allows teens to stay for as long as they need. Keesha is one such teen who resides there becoming the namesake of the house. As other teens need a safe place to stay their lives intersect and influence each other as they face their fears and create new relationships together and individually. Each of the eight chapters advance the story through the multiple perspectives of each teen with two chapters dedicated to the adults in their lives.

Critical Analysis:
Frost’s verse novel talks about the hardships that teens are facing today through first person narratives. The narratives are told in the poetry formats of sonnets and sestinas in the course of eight chapters. Each person reveals his/her hopes, fears, concerns, disappointments, joys, and more. Frost takes the reader on a difficult journey with each teen who face issues seemingly beyond their years. The author creates a true-to-life story that does not feel forced or overly dramatic. Readers may be surprised by the issues faced by the characters, but the issues are very relevant.

By facing difficult issues, Frost allows the viewer to see how lives are affected by choices made by ourselves and others. Teen readers will engage with the stories even if they do not face the same issues. Two of the chapters are dedicated to the adults that are involved in the lives of the teens. Frost allows them a voice that sheds a different perspective on the events that are occurring to the main characters. She does not excuse them, but by providing the contrast she reveals that every individual has their own truth, perspective and vision.

Keesha’s House is a powerful book that shows that decisions, good or bad, have repercussions for every one involved and it is those decisions and how you handle them that define a person. And in any case, a safe place to stay and friends can make all the difference.

Awards:
Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature Honor Book 2004

Review Excerpts:
BOOKLIST
“Most readers will be...interested in the characters, drawn with aching realism, who speak poetry in ordinary words and make connections.”

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
“In her first YA novel, Frost profiles seven teens in trauma, artfully revealed through sestinas and sonnets. The struggles may be familiar, but Frost makes her characters and their daily lives seem relevant and authentic, often using striking imagery. Making the most of the poetic forms, the author breathes life into these teens and their stories, resulting in a thoughtfully composed and ultimately touching book.”

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
“Revealing heartbreak and hope, these poems could stand alone, but work best as a story collection. Teens may read this engaging novel without even realizing they are reading poetry.”

Connections:
-Other novels about teen issues:
-Alexie, Sherman. The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, ISBN:
0316013684
-Frost, Helen. Spinning Through the Universe, ISBN: 0374371598
-Sones, Sonya. What My Girlfriend Doesn’t Know. ISBN:0689876033; What My Mother Doesn’t Know, ISBN:0689855532, etc
-Students could write their own sonnet about an issue that he/she faces daily or keep a daily journal.