What do a Westfalia van, a hamster named Horatio and a gnome all have in common? To 12 and
¾ year old Felix Knuttson, they are all important parts of his rapidly changing world. The van is his
home that he shares with his depressed and not always dependable mom. The hamster is named
after the host of his favorite TV quiz show, which with some luck, Felix thinks he could win. Mel is
his steadfast tomte that Felix believes protects he and his mom from all that could go wrong. Life
living in a van isn’t easy and Felix must keep his living arrangement a secret, from everyone, even
his best friends. Can Felix find a solution to his family crisis before it is too late?
No Fixed Address
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Lucky Strikes
Bayard, Louis, Lucky Strikes.
When fourteen-year-old Melia’s mother dies, resourceful Melia – a clever mechanic – is determined to run the family auto repair shop and gas station, care for younger siblings Earle and Janey, survive the tough days of the Depression in rural Virginia, and stave off Standard Oil shill Harley Blevins, who has an eye on Melia’s business. To do so, they need an adult parent – so Melia co-opts Hiram Watts, a drunken hobo, to impersonate their father. A wonderful and heartwarming story.