Book Review! ✨
📕Book: Somebody’s Someone
📘 Genre: Middle Grade
📚 Review: I was excited to see the premise of this, as the reality of living with a parent with addictions and who is houseless and dealing with mental health struggles is very real for many kids, and was the reality for myself as a child. There aren’t many books that cover this topic for younger kids, so I was glad to see this. I think it’s important that these topics are represented for younger audiences, but I did have questions about some aspects of this.
The protagonist, who is 12, was not being protected by any adults in her life. She was seeing and hearing much more than she should have, and the adults should have protected her. Yes, this was a book talking about kids living with this, but the “responsible” adults should have done more, and I feel reading this may not help in the way it may be intended to. For example, why was this kid part of police procedures, staying in a house with strangers, and witnessing arrests and guns? Some kids in these situations do not have this protection, but in this book as she had an adult in her life caring for her, the protagonist should not have been subject to this and I think it could have been told a different way.
The character also was very inconsistent, at times seeming much more mature than her 12 years, and much less at other times.
Overall I think the story and writing were okay and good topics to be discussed, but I feel it could have been done differently.
💫 Rating: 2.5/5

📝 Somebody’s Someone is out March 3, 2025! Thank you NetGalley and Red Chair Press for the eARC. 📝

3/5 ✨ First of all, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of “Somebody’s someone”. This books message is very important, and the themes it touches regarding mental illness, but i found that some aspects of the story made me very angry. As i said, the issue regarding Ruby’s mother and how her mental illness affects their family’s life is very important and is well treated, but outside of that, i still cannot believe that Ruby had to be the adult one in some situations…Sometimes, even more adult than her aunt. That made me feel very angry and frustrated, and I didn’t liked it. Her aunt is supposed to be the one that has to take care of her after everything that happened with Ruby’s mother, and some of the things she did made me think she shouldn’t be able to keep Ruby.

This book is deeply moving and beautifully written story that captures the strength and resilience of a young girl navigating the emotional challenges of having a mentally ill parent. Ruby Bean’s journey to find her missing mother is not just about searching for Ruthie—it’s about finding inner strength, hope, and closure along the way.
What stands out most is the emotional depth of the characters. Ruby is authentic and easy to root for. She’s vulnerable and has a quiet strength that really shines through. Her bond with her aunt and the unexpected kindness from strangers add depth to the overall narrative. The plot is well-paced, balancing moments of tension and tenderness with just the right amount of surprise to keep you hooked.
Oatman High’s writing style is straightforward yet emotionally resonant, making complex themes like addiction, mental illness, and family bonds accessible without being overwhelming. The story doesn’t shy away from difficult truths, but it also offers a sense of hope and redemption that feels genuine rather than forced.
This book would be perfect for middle-grade readers who enjoy heartfelt stories about family, resilience, and personal growth. This will also be great for fans of realistic fiction with strong emotional cores. This was so sweet and moving...highly recommend it!

This story follows Ruby through yet another bad episode from her Mama. While Ruby and her aunt put up missing posters for her Mama, they follow leads into three different states and meet an eccentric cast of characters to help them. The narrative was straightforward enough for the genre while really getting into the mind space of a kid just trying to survive in these circumstances.

It is so valuable to see these kinds of struggles in kids’ books, both for the kids who see themselves in Ruby or for those who never thought about kids like Ruby. Every person is special to someone no matter how the cards lay.

This is the sort of book that should be on every classrooms bookshelf. The story handles the issues associated with mental health problems with great sensitivity. The story is so relatable and deals with everything in a matter of fact way. The characters feel so real and authentic. The children will love the journey taken.

I read this book in two days because every time I put it down to do something else, I couldn't stop thinking about what would happen next for Ruby and Aunt Marion. Even the side characters were engaging and when I was done reading I hoped for a follow up to the story or even a prequal.

While I loved how this story tackled the struggles of mental health, homelessness, etc., there were several moments that seemed like extremely bad decisions on the Aunt's part that kept putting them in unnecessary danger. I understand wanting to show the good in people and that not everyone is bad - but more caution is definitely needed in this story. My concern is the middle grade audience may not realize how dangerous these situations could be in real life.

I highly recommend this book but make sure your kids know that not every stranger has a heart of gold.

Absolutely fantastic plot! Could not put the book down once I began reading it. Cannot wait for it to be released. I will recommend it to everyone I know!

A short book, but one that packs a punch.
Young Ruby’s mother has disappeared, again. Her mental health issues and drug addictions prevent her from providing stability for Ruby, so Aunt Marion is her guardian. When the two go searching for the missing mom, they encounter a number of interesting people, who are surprisingly willing to offer assistance to Ruby and her aunt out of the goodness of their hearts.
A great book for middle-grade readers!

*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*

I think this story had so much potential but ultimately fell flat in my expectations. I loved the concept of a main character navigating her feelings about having a parent with mental illness. There were many scenes where I teared up for Ruby and it could have been really impactful but it was overshadowed by the eccentric storytelling. I was very disappointed by the use of stereotypes throughout the book which could have easily been fixed with critical thinking. I was hoping that the ending would redeem the story, but ultimately all the adults in the story were unsafe and enabled dangerous behavior.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying me an advanced reader copy of Somebody’s Someone.

This book provides a wonderfully humanizing tale of a family going through hard times. Ruby Bean's search for her missing mother prompts discussion on homelessness, addiction, kid's in the care of adults who make serious, even criminal choices, and the complicated feelings of loving broken people. The author does a wonderful job navigating these difficult topics in an age appropriate way, and I believe this book will be important not just for kids in these difficult situations to see themselves reflected, but also to humanize and garner empathy in the hearts of kids not in these hard situations.

Somebody’s Someone is a deeply moving story that follows Ruby on an emotional journey to find her mother, a lost addict battling mental illness. Linda Oatman High crafts a powerful narrative filled with heartbreak, resilience, and hope. Ruby’s experiences are painful to witness. No middle grader should have to endure what she does, but her strength and determination make Ruby a compelling protagonist. The diverse cast of characters adds richness to the story, and Ruby’s growth throughout her journey is beautifully portrayed. This book brought me to tears, but it also left me with a sense of hope. A touching, unforgettable read.

Linda Oatman High’s Somebody’s Someone is a deeply moving and beautifully written story that explores the complexities of family, addiction, and resilience through the eyes of twelve-year-old Ruby Bean.

Ruby, who considers herself an “Accidental Expert on Missing Mothers,” is no stranger to the chaos that comes with her mother Ruthie’s struggles with addiction and mental illness. When Ruthie disappears again, Ruby and her determined aunt set out on a cross-country journey to find her. Along the way, they have unexpected encounters—including a jewelry store robbery and a surprising act of kindness.

What makes this book so compelling is Ruby’s voice—honest, heartfelt, and brimming with quiet strength. Despite the hardships she faces, she never loses her sense of hope. The novel also masterfully balances difficult themes with moments of warmth, humor, and unexpected joy, reminding us that even in the darkest times, light can still break through.

I also loved the illustrations, they bring the story to life.

This was a mixed bag for me. The topic of a parent struggling with addiction and mental health issues is handled with sensitivity and compassion, and I think it was dealt with appropriately for the age group. The author sends a good message of being kind to people, because you never know what they're going through, and emphasizing that people who have 'problems' often can't help it.

On the other hand, I did feel like some of the things that happen here are too unrealistic. Middle grade can definitely be unrealistic to a degree, and I appreciated that the author was trying to break stigma around homeless people, but I'm not sure we should give kids the message that they can just trust any stranger. I also feel like the author was a little too positive about the police and prison at the end of the book. Saying that jail is 'sometimes the best place' for a person with mental health issues and addictions felt a little grating. How about a mental health facility, or a detox clinic? I understand that those are not options available to everyone, but they simply weren't mentioned.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC.

I never would’ve imagined a children’s book could be this deep and emotional.

Told from the perspective of a little girl who lost her mother to mental illness and substance abuse, this story follows her and her aunt as they embark on a heartbreaking journey to find her missing mom.

We rarely see stories that explore homelessness with such raw honesty, especially in children’s literature. This book didn’t just tell a story—it shifted my perspective, making me think more deeply about the unseen struggles that lead people to the streets. It’s a powerful, eye-opening read that lingers long after the last page.

ARC Review of Somebody’s Someone by Linda Oatman High @tazshuracasey
Pub Date Mar 04 2025
Publisher: Red Chair Press
Imprints :One Elm Books
My Rating: 💖💖💖💖🩷

Thank you @netgalley and @redchairpress 🫶

Description
Twelve-year-old Ruby Bean has become an Accidental Expert on Missing Mothers.

When her mother, Ruthie, goes missing again due to mental illness and addiction, Ruby and her aunt leap into action to search for Ruthie.

A jewelry store robbery and unexpected kindness from the victim brings more twists to the journey. From Georgia to Washington to New York City, Ruby discovers that sometimes even the worst events can bring the best surprises into one's life, if you keep believing.

My thoughts:
Somebody’s Someone is an emotional rollercoaster, filled with heartbreaking struggles, unwavering love, and resilience. Despite being only 12, Ruby shows incredible maturity and strength, holding onto her love for her mother despite Ruthie’s addiction and absence.

Aunt Marion is a true hero—staying strong, clean, and dedicated to giving Ruby a stable life, all while never giving up on searching for her sister. Benny, Daisy, and Julia are the kind of compassionate, selfless people everyone needs, and Nixon, the dog Benny gifts Ruby, symbolizes the love and friendship she gains.

Special applause to Yayira Dzamesi’s illustrations, which beautifully bring life and warmth to the story.

I was completely overwhelmed by this story. It is beautifully written and carries a powerful message about love, family, and making the right choices, even when they are the hardest to make. Linda Oatman High has created a masterpiece that delicately touches the heart and offers hope to those in difficult situations.

Somebody’s Someone is a must-read for children, teenagers, and adults alike—anyone who values family, resilience, and kindness. It’s a story that stays with you long after you turn the last page.

#redchairpress #NetGalley #somebodyssomeone

** ARC Review**

Ruby, a twelve-year-old girl, has a Mom who goes missing frequently due to mental health (schizo-affective disorder, depression, and anxiety) and substance abuse issues. Due to this, she is mostly raised by her Aunt Marion. Ruby and her aunt have become experts on finding her missing mom, although they would rather be an experts in anything else.

Ruby has a lot she is dealing with in her life: being raised by someone other than her parents (for the most part), having a father she doesn’t know, and having a mother who is dealing with substance abuse, mental illness, and homelessness at times. Many children are dealing with some, or many, of these issues themselves, and this book can help them to see that they are not alone in these struggles.

The book does a great job of teaching some lessons that everyone should remember:
Even if people have fallen on hard times; they are somebody’s someone and they matter.
It is important to do the right thing, even when it is hard.
Everyone makes mistakes.

Some parts of the story are a little far-fetched to make it realistic. While Aunt Marion likes to see the best in people, I don’t see someone reasonable for a 12-year-old allowing 2 people they met the day before to join them on a trip to another city. Then with Julia, even though she also sees the best in people, I feel that it is highly unlikely a person would invite multiple strangers to stay at their house a few hours after meeting them. Then Aunt Marion allows Ruthie to stay the night at Julia’s house when she knows that she is mixed up with bad people (one of which has a gun); um.. what?

This book is important. I wish many of my students had this book when they were younger. It was empathetic and tackled tough stuff - acknowledging that children are often better able to understand that we realize.

This 188 page book really packed a punch.

For 12 year-old Ruby life has been hard given that her mother suffers from mental health issues. Determined to find her yet again, Rudy along with her aunt begin a search that takes them on a journey that spans many, many miles.

This was a journey with heart that took many detours but along the way help is found in unexpected places. It was written for a younger audience while dealing with some strong subject matter. A good opportunity for discussions.

It was illustrated nicely and I'm sure in book form it will be better then on my kindle.

My thanks to One Elm Books (via Netgalley) for a digital arc in exchange for a honest review.

I received.a free eARC of this book. Thank you for the opportunity to read it.

Homelessness, mental illness, drug addiction…all affect far more people than just those we see on the streets. Somebody’s Someone is a beautiful book that talks about the impact of this on families, and that every unhoused person, mentally ill person, drug user, and inmate is somebody’s someone.

Ruby and her Aunt Marion’s efforts to find Ruby’s missing mother, the twists and turns and hard decisions, the helpers, and, ultimately, the humanity are forefront in this book. One reason why I love reading middle grade books is that often the authors, in trying to help children understand, end up hitting a level of depth rarely seen in books for adults, and Somebody’s Someone is one of those books. I wish every legislator, everyone who creates hostile architecture, everyone who tries to NIMBY shelters out of existence, and everyone who votes would read this book. And I hope it gets read by many, many children.

A heart breaking story of a child with a parent suffering from addiction and mental illness.
This book was very eye opening and beautifully written. Left me emotional but very happy I was able to experience reading it. Fantastic story. Everyone should read it at least once in their life time.