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Ellen Hopkins

Closer to Nowhere Hardcover – October 6, 2020

by Ellen Hopkins (Author)

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#1 New York Times bestselling 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.

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Reading age

10 - 13 years
Print length

416 pages
Language

English
Grade level

5 - 6
Dimensions

5.75 x 1.43 x 8.56 inches
Publisher

Nancy Paulsen Books
Publication date

October 6, 2020
ISBN-10

0593108612
ISBN-13

978-0593108611

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From the Publisher

	What About Will	Closer to Nowhere

Customer Reviews	208	446
Price	EUR 15.39	EUR 7.67
Read more by Ellen Hopkins:	A new heartbreakingly tender middle grade novel-in-verse about the bonds between two brothers and the love they share.	Told in verse from the alternating perspectives, this is a story of two cousins who are more alike than they realize and the family they both want to save.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 5–8—This novel in verse centers cousins Hannah and Cal. Cal is a troubled sixth grader who has been living with Hannah and her family for over a year. Cal's mother died of leukemia three years ago, sending him to live with his father (who is abusive and experiences drug addiction) until his father's imprisonment. Cal and Hannah share a mean alcoholic grandmother, but Hannah has had a completely different upbringing from Cal. She has thrived from a stable family, gymnastics, and dance—she isn't thrilled when volatile Cal is thrust into her life. Told through the two tweens' alternating voices, readers soon understand Cal's frustration and inability to accept help, often running away in his attempts to cool down. Hannah's jealousy of Cal receiving extra attention from her family is understandable, and readers see that even stable families have major ups and downs. The short chapters reveal each character's personality. Cal is an aspiring writer and his chapters begin with "Fact or Fiction," where he reveals much of what he's thinking or experiencing. Hannah's chapters begin with "Definition," as she is attempting to understand Cal's hardships and become more sympathetic to him and her own family. Hannah and Cal bond over their shared difficulties with their grandmother, and their witnessing of Hannah's parents' marital problems. Hopkins ends her book with a poignant note explaining how she based Cal on her own grandson, who came to live with her family after his mom (Hopkins's daughter, who also experienced substance abuse) abandoned him, leaving him with severe PTSD. While he still has breakdowns like Cal, he has many strengths and a big heart, just as Cal does. VERDICT Readers will root for these realistic characters, and will cheer for the growth they experience. Highly recommended.—Michele Shaw, formerly at Quail Run Elem. Sch., San Ramon, CA

Review

Praise for Closer to Nowhere:
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

“There’s a new crowd of Ellen Hopkins fans on the horizon! Hopkins tackles tough subjects with honesty and compassion, woven in brilliant verse as always, now in a novel for younger readers. This beautifully written book about the strength of family shows us that even someone who doesn’t feel at home anywhere can find a place to belong.” —Lynne Kelly, author of the Schneider Family Book Award–winning Song for a Whale

“Hopkins uses her familiar verse to take readers on an emotional rollercoaster. . . The author’s note about her own family experiences with addiction and behavioral challenges is almost as poignant as the text, and the quick pace makes it easy to devour, enticing fans to check out the rest of Hopkins’ oeuvre.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

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

“One of the biggest challenges a middle-grade author faces is the middle-grade reader. This is the age when childhood and young adulthood so violently clash within you, even YOU aren’t sure how to find your voice. With Cal and Hannah, Ellen Hopkins tells middle-grade readers: I see you. I hear you. And your voice is powerful . . . even as it evolves. Closer to Nowhere is raw, but real. It’s love, but tough. It IS middle grade, and it is a gift for readers everywhere.” —K. A. Holt, award-winning author of House Arrest

“The queen of gritty YA novels-in-verse enters the realm of middle-grade literature with this story of a family fracturing under myriad pressures yet refusing to be broken . . . Hopkins paints a realistic picture of a family undergoing upheaval and learning to better care for one another.” —Booklist

About the Author

Ellen Hopkins is a former journalist and the award-winning author of twenty nonfiction books for young readers, fourteen bestselling young-adult novels (including The Crank Trilogy, Burned, Impulse, and Tricks series), and four novels for adult readers. With this book, she is honored to enter the realm of middle-grade fiction. Ellen lives with her extended family, one brilliant German shepherd, a retired rescue cat, and two ponds (not pounds) of koi in the eastern shadow of the Northern Nevada Sierra.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Definition of Resent:
Feel Bothered By

Cal moved in
a little more than a year ago.
He wasn’t exactly a stranger.

Aunt Caryn was his mom,
and she and my mom were more than sisters.
They were identical twins.

Two halves of a whole,
Mom called them.

They were close, but they
didn’t live near each other.
Aunt Caryn moved to Arizona
before Cal was born.

She visited once in a while
and came to a couple of family
reunions. Talk about trouble!

I guess when Aunt Caryn met
Cal’s dad and dropped out
of college, it made Grandma mad.

They hardly talk at all anymore,
Mom told me once. And when
they do, they end up shouting.

“So why does Aunt Caryn
go to the reunions?” I asked.
“Grandma’s always there.

Caryn still wants to be part
of the family, and she wants
Cal to know his relatives.
“I think Grandma should
forgive her,” I said.

I think so, too. But my mother
has a hard time with forgiveness.
She thinks it’s a sign of weakness.

Grandma still hadn’t forgiven
her when Aunt Caryn died.

I’ll never forget that day.
Mom cried and cried.
When she finally stopped,
her face was so puffed up,
I could barely see her eyes.

I lost a piece of myself, she said.

Maybe Cal living with us
is like getting that piece back.

Maybe that’s why Mom lets him
get away with everything,
from pranks to meltdowns to lies.
I’m sorry, but I resent that.

Try to find a little sympathy,
Mom urges. After Caryn passed,
things got pretty rough for Cal.

His dad took him after
the funeral, but the details
of the next two years are a mystery.
And no one’s giving out clues.

You’ll have to wait for Cal to tell
you, Mom says. It’s not up to me.

Whatever happened, I feel sorry
for Cal. If my mom died, I’d be lost.
Cal must feel lost sometimes, too.
So, yeah, I want to forgive his quirks.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Nancy Paulsen Books
Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 6, 2020
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Print length ‏ : ‎ 416 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0593108612
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593108611
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.15 pounds
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 10 - 13 years
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.75 x 1.43 x 8.56 inches
Grade level ‏ : ‎ 5 - 6
Best Sellers Rank: #512,439 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #8 in Children's Stepfamilies Books
- #259 in Stories in Verse
- #1,680 in Children's Friendship Books
Customer Reviews:
(446)

About the author

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Ellen Hopkins

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I was adopted at birth and raised by a great, loving older couple. I grew up in Palm Springs CA, although we summered in Napa and Lake Tahoe, to avoid those 120 degree summers. After my adopted parents died, I did find my birth mother, who lives in Michigan with my half sister.

I studied journalism in college, but left school to marry, raise kids and start my own business--a video store, before the mega-chains were out there. After a divorce, I met my current husband and we moved to Tahoe to become ski bums and otherwise try to find our dreams. At that time, I went to work for a small alternative press, writing stories and eventually editing.

When we moved down the mountain to the Reno area, I started writing nonfiction books, many of which you can see here. The rest are viewable on my personal website. I also continued to freelance articles for newspapers and magazines.

All that has changed, with the publication of my novel, CRANK, which has led to a valued career writing YA novels in verse, all of which explore the more difficult situations young adults often find themselves in. Will I ever write one in prose? No doubt! But, for the moment, writing novels in verse fulfills two needs: writing poetry and writing fiction. The combination is so interesting!

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446 global ratings

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Customers find this book to be a wonderful read, with one review noting how it brings light to dark topics. Moreover, the book is particularly suitable for middle school children, and customers describe it as emotional and empathetic.

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12 customers mention content, 12 positive, 0 negative

Customers find the book to be a wonderful read, with one customer noting how it provides great insight into children, while another mentions how it helps readers understand sibling relationships better.

...It is a book about finding strength through hard times and it a great read, no matter the age of the reader. You won't be able to put it down....Read more

that it’s a great bookRead more

...I believe this book could help her understand her younger brother better and perhaps kids in her school. Even herself....Read more

...I also loved how she showed the sisters point of view and how first impressions may not always be correct....Read more

5 customers mention age-appropriate, 5 positive, 0 negative

Customers find the book appropriate for middle school children, with one customer noting that it can also keep adults captivated.

...Even though this book was written for a younger audience, her loyal fans will still find familiarity in her prose and flow....Read more

...It's clear that Ellen Hopkins does. A wonderful read that can keep adults captivated as well, Calvin and Hannah share their stories about...Read more

...finding strength through hard times and it a great read, no matter the age of the reader. You won't be able to put it down....Read more

Perfect for Middle SchoolRead more

5 customers mention emotional, 5 positive, 0 negative

Customers find the book emotionally engaging and empathetic, with one customer noting it's a touching story about never giving up on kids.

Closer to Nowhere is easily one of the most emotional books I have ever read....Read more

...crafted verse for which Hopkins is well-known, this book evokes a whirlwind of emotion while the reader accompanies these children on their...Read more

This book was truly beautiful. It inspired a lot of empathy in me. This book makes you think about second chances....Read more

...The story is beautiful very much relatable to real life experiences....Read more

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Phoenix
Great book
Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2026
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Love this author! Bought this book for my kid for Christmas. She also loves this author and loves this book

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kristina
Perfect for Middle School
Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2024
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
My niece told me she doesn’t like to read. Well I remember as a child reading Ellen Hopkins and instantly thought of her. Ellen pushed my interest to read when I was in middle school reading her young adults books. Knowing that she has added middle school read to her repertoire is outstanding. I read the book before handing to my niece. The story is beautiful very much relatable to real life experiences. As a therapist, I recommend this book to give kids a new perspective about how kindness and friendship can go a long way.

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Weemonkey
Inspiring, empathetic, and beautiful. Also a very quick read! Buy this you won’t be disappointed.
Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2020
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
This book was truly beautiful. It inspired a lot of empathy in me. This book makes you think about second chances. It takes a boy who’s misunderstood and different and shows you what his perspective is. How a boy who’s been abused can, with a little love and attention come out the other side. I also loved how she showed the sisters point of view and how first impressions may not always be correct. The sister also went through her own changes through empathy and understanding and came to care and love and help this boy. I think it shows addiction and the other side of it, how children can be affected, and can triumph if they have people that help them and believe in them. Addiction is so tough, and I love how this author always, stays true to both sides of what addiction can be and is. She is and has always has been my favorite author.

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Heidi Pilling
Middle Grade Kids Need To Read This. Everyone does.
Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2020
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Ellen Hopkins has always been a phenomenal author. My favorite by far. Reading this first middle grade book of hers, I felt that something special was being created. In fact, I promptly bought a copy for my 12-year-old niece. I believe this book could help her understand her younger brother better and perhaps kids in her school. Even herself. This book teaches you to be kind to others for you never know what has made them they way that they are. Don't you believe that we should be teaching all kids to be kind? It's clear that Ellen Hopkins does. A wonderful read that can keep adults captivated as well, Calvin and Hannah share their stories about experiences we can all relate to in some semblance.

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Paige
Spot on
Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2022
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Ellen hits it on the nose with her stories. They are deep and raw and bring light to dark topics that no one likes to talk about.

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Alex Budilo
Such a great read!
Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2020
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Closer to Nowhere is easily one of the most emotional books I have ever read. Two preteens are trying to come to terms with the directions their lives are going and learning to face the challenges that come along with it. It is a book about finding strength through hard times and it a great read, no matter the age of the reader. You won't be able to put it down. Ellen Hopkins outdid herself again by bringing topics that are difficult to discuss to light.

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2 people found this helpful

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Amanda
Mrs. Hopkins does it again
Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2020
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Closer to Nowhere delves not-so-gently into the lives of Hannah Lincoln and Cal Pace, two 12-year-old cousins who share their home after Cal loses his mother to cancer and his father to a well-deserved prison sentence.

Alternating between the preteens' viewpoints in the artfully crafted verse for which Hopkins is well-known, this book evokes a whirlwind of emotion while the reader accompanies these children on their respective journies of hurting and, ultimately, healing.

This book puts on vivid literary display the goings on inside the mind of a "troubled youth," reminding us all that it is often when we act most unlovable that we need love most.

At the end of it all, this book hits far closer to home than it does to nowhere.

Read more

Amanda

Mrs. Hopkins does it again

Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2020
Closer to Nowhere delves not-so-gently into the lives of Hannah Lincoln and Cal Pace, two 12-year-old cousins who share their home after Cal loses his mother to cancer and his father to a well-deserved prison sentence.

Alternating between the preteens' viewpoints in the artfully crafted verse for which Hopkins is well-known, this book evokes a whirlwind of emotion while the reader accompanies these children on their respective journies of hurting and, ultimately, healing.

This book puts on vivid literary display the goings on inside the mind of a "troubled youth," reminding us all that it is often when we act most unlovable that we need love most.

At the end of it all, this book hits far closer to home than it does to nowhere.

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5 people found this helpful

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Savanha Metting
Great for middle school children!
Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2020
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
I own all her books, so of course I had to buy this one as well. I'm so glad my favorite author wrote a book my daughter is able to read. She still has a few years to go for the others. I loved it. It lightly touches on issues children face today and it's written beautifully. I loved it all the way to the end including the authors note. :)

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Savanha Metting

Great for middle school children!

Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2020
I own all her books, so of course I had to buy this one as well. I'm so glad my favorite author wrote a book my daughter is able to read. She still has a few years to go for the others. I loved it. It lightly touches on issues children face today and it's written beautifully. I loved it all the way to the end including the authors note. :)

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Tanya
Brilliant read
Reviewed in Canada on July 17, 2021
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Ellen Hopkins is a genius. This woman is a mastermind in her craft and this book was no exception. I’ve loved her books for 16 years now and this one did not disappoint. Ellen has a way of writing that captures the reader and keeps them wanting more.

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Farhan
Read like a movie
Reviewed in India on July 24, 2023
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
At first when i opened this book and got a glimpse i was like "what the hell is this a poem" but when i started to read it made feel like watching a movie even though I was reading. Now it's 1 of my favourite books and writer too.

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EMW
Great book
Reviewed in Canada on October 27, 2021
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
I’ve purchased all of Ellen Hopkins books and this has been my most recent purchase. Her writing never disappoints.

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Amazon Customer
Book was a hard cover I was so excited
Reviewed in Canada on February 6, 2021
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Got the book today and I couldn’t be more happy. It was a hard cover. I’m in love.

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Rebecca
Ellen Hopkins New Book
Reviewed in Canada on October 11, 2020
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Can’t wait to read it! Delivered very fast!

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Rebecca

Ellen Hopkins New Book

Reviewed in Canada on October 11, 2020
Can’t wait to read it! Delivered very fast!

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5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant read

5.0 out of 5 stars Read like a movie

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book

5.0 out of 5 stars Book was a hard cover I was so excited

5.0 out of 5 stars Ellen Hopkins New Book

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Brilliant read

Read like a movie

Great book

Book was a hard cover I was so excited

Ellen Hopkins New Book