Grim, moving stories about young people in desperate circumstances finding ways to survive their lots in life. Real, vivid and raw. ( )

Heart wrenching, this book will stay with you ( )

Heartbreaking, must read for everyone of all ages. ( )

three tough stories about kids with nothing - last story most hopeful ( )

Paulsen, G. (2011). Paintings from the cave. New York: Random House/Wendy Lamb Books. 163 pp. ISBN: 978-0-385-74684-7. (Hardcover) $15.99.

Gary Paulsen lived virtually alone from a very early age. Often out by himself in the woods or under the care of someone other than his parents, Paulsen knows what it is like to figure out how to survive and he has many books (not just Hatchett) that prove this. Paintings from the Cave are three novellas that show three troubled youth, Jake, Jo, and Jamie, and what they do to scratch out a living and find value in who they are.

In “Man of the Iron Heads,” Jake or J, as he prefers to be called, knows that if he stops moving he is done. He roams the streets always moving attempting to stay out of Blade’s way. J meets a sculptor and is tempted with Bill’s art. His friend, Layla, depends on him and his loyalty combined with his built in paranoia momentarily win the round. One day J stops and Blade gets him. Later he orders Petey to kill J’s only friend. The story ends with J working for Blade, but will revenge or art triumph?

The second story, “Jo-Jo the Dog-faced Girl,” features Jo and a family that holds much in common with Paulsen’s own family—very cruel drunks. Jo really only trusts dogs. Jo has a developed a workable routine with her dogs, Carter, Betty, and Mike. She has little in the way of resources, but the dogs make life bearable. One day she meets Rose. Maybe it is because Betty gives Rose a dog present or maybe it is because Jo also needs human friends, but Rose and Jo become friends. And then Jo discovers that Rose has leukemia.

In the third story, “Erik’s Rules,” Jamie lives with his older brother, Erik. Erik stole a car and he and Jamie ran away from home. Erik has his rules that revolve around never talking about their situation and never even thinking about it. They do this by keeping clean, keeping quiet, and keeping on the move (rule 2). Erik cannot always keep an eye out on Jamie. When Jamie discovers that he may be able to earn some money with his artwork, Erik’s rules are in jeopardy.

One of the problems social workers face when attempting to help the homeless is the fact that many homeless folks crave a connection, they want to feel like they can contribute ideas, they want to believe that they could help you. Our society, however, is not eager to hire homeless daycare workers and often the sole emphasis on helping the homeless involves giving money or housing or clothing or other types of aid. We do not expect a contribution FROM homeless people and we often do nothing to provide any sort of creative outlet. Paulsen GETS this. The first and the third story show the potential power art has of providing a creative outlet, a contribution. The second story, the weakest of the three, but also the most heartwarming, shows the wisdom of allowing and encouraging connections to animals—something Paulsen knows intimately from the hundreds of dogs he has owned over the years. This book works best in upper elementary and middle school libraries. [Note: I recorded an interview with Gary Paulsen when he was in Grand Haven: spicyreads. org/Author_Videos. html]