Closer to Nowhere

By: Ellen Hopkins

Narrated by: Dan Bittner, Brittany Pressley

Length: 4 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

Number one New York Times best-selling author Ellen Hopkins's poignant middle-grade novel in verse about coming to terms with indelible truths of family and belonging.

For the most part, Hannah's life is just how she wants it. She has two supportive parents, she's popular at school, and she's been killing it at gymnastics. But when her cousin Cal moves in with her family, everything changes. Cal tells half-truths and tall tales, pranks Hannah constantly, and seems to be the reason her parents are fighting more and more. Nothing is how it used to be. She knows that Cal went through a lot after his mom died, and she is trying to be patient, but most days Hannah just wishes Cal never moved in.

For his part, Cal is trying his hardest to fit in, but not everyone is as appreciative of his unique sense of humor and storytelling gifts as he is. Humor and stories might be his defense mechanism, but if Cal doesn't let his walls down soon, he might push away the very people who are trying their best to love him.

Told in verse from the alternating perspectives of Hannah and Cal, this is a story of two cousins who are more alike than they realize and the family they both want to save.

©2020 Ellen Hopkins (P)2020 Listening Library

Critic reviews

A 2022-2023 Truman Readers Book Award Nominee (MO)

A 2022-2023 South Carolina Book Award Nominee

A 2021 Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year

A 2021 NCTE Notable Novel in Verse

An Amazon Best Book of the Month

"Readers will root for these realistic characters, and will cheer for the growth they experience. Highly recommended.” —School Library Journal, starred review

“Hopkins’ use of free verse provides a canvas for sure-handed, brush-stroke development of the backstory and plot and emotional investment and identification with the characters. . . Compassionate and compelling.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Hopkins creates realistic portrayals of two kids trying to do their best even when it’s not easy.” —Publishers Weekly

Another great novel from Ellen Hopkins

I was so excited to read Ellen Hopkin's first novel aimed at a younger audience, and I was not disappointed. Closer to Nowhere is heartfelt and real. The narration was great as well.

Ellen's same fire, but for Middle-Grade

Ellen Hopkins is a passionate writer, and her YA and adult books spit fire. Closer to Nowhere does the same, but in a way that will be accessible and comfortable to middle-grade readers. It takes issues that Ellen is no stranger to writing about--family dysfunction, alcohol and drug abuse, gun violence--and packages them for younger readers, giving them away to understand these issues through their own worldframe.

But all of that aside, Ellen is a master storyteller, and this is no exception. This is a bittersweet story, like all of hers, but more sweet. A good reminder for hope and growth and the potential for change.

Awesome as always

Ellen Hopkins is an amazing person and author. This book was Great, as I expected!!!!!!!

Another Fantastic Job

Ellen never disappoints! I grew up reading her books and even now as an adult, I still love her work.

Intended for Younger Readers

Still a good story although the target audience was younger than typical for Ellen Hopkins' books.

Its about family problems what happens after grief

I loved it and I think cal has autism so props for including that overall great

Great story to listen

I listen to this story while I’m cleaning. I enjoyed listening to this book and how much detail it had to words that portrayed tot he story line.