THE EXACT LOCATION OF HOME by Kate Messner is a work of realistic fiction exploring contemporary issues including friendship, family, and homelessness.

Kirby, also known as Zig, is an electronics wiz who begins geocaching with his friends when he gets a GPS. While trying to hide his homelessness from friends and search for his missing father, he must also deal with the daily life of a middle grade life.

Librarians will find that this realistic story explores a plethora of timely social issues including homelessness, single parent families, environmental themes, and school friendships. Use the book as part of a reading group exploring issues of empathy and compassion. The electronics and environmental focus may increase interest among readers who enjoy STEM topics.

Published by Bloomsbury on September 12, 2017. ARC courtesy of the publisher. ( )

Zig cannot understand why his father never comes to see him. His parents are divorced, but he still wants to spend time with his father. To make things worse he and his mother are having money trouble and he knows his father can help. He decides to follow his father’s geocaching route to try and find him.
This title is recommended for middle grades, 4,5, and 6. It has a male protagonist; however, both boys and girls will be able to identify with the characters in the story. Messner touches the reader and makes him think about the way he or she sees the world. The strong characters drive the story but there is still enough action to keep the reader’s interest. The setting could be anywhere USA. ( )