This is a very quick read. It feels very real. I have never lived on the streets, and I sure as shit hope I never do, but I kinda feel like I have now. Maybe is a character that lets you in, but she is simply telling it like it is. She doesn't complain about her life, its just her life. You watch as her friends disappear and die around her and wonder who is next. Its heartbreaking how easy it is for kids to get abused, left on their own and forgotten, with no one to care about them. Its a shame that anyone can become parents, because some really, really shouldn't. This was a gritty, sad, thought provoking hour or so that I spent with this book and these characters, and I'm glad I did. ( )

Well that was quite a disappointment. Poor characters, no real story, annoying names. By far the worst novel of a good writer. ( )

Can’t Get There from Here by Todd Strasser has composed a riveting realistic fiction book aimed at teenagers regarding teen homelessness and the obstacles they endure within that lifestyle.
The story is narrated through a 15 year old girl named Maybe who has run away from her abusive mother. Maybe finds herself in New York City and joins a tribe of homeless teenagers known as the “Asphalt Tribe”. The names of the members all go by street aliases: Maggot, Jewel (a male prostitute), Rainbow, 2Moro ( a beautiful girl who has HIV), Tears (the youngest and newest member) and Maybe. Most of these youth have run away from abusive homes, while others suffer from mental or other health related problems. Together the band struggles to survive the gritty enviroment and the harsh winter of New York. The author’s description of their day-to-day struggles of scavenging for food, staying warm, declining health, filthy and poor sleeping conditions really disturbs the reader. Yet it doesn’t stop there, the pressures of prostitution and drug abuse is prevalent throughout the story as are the numerous occurrences of deaths. Along the journey Maybe meets Anthony, a librarian who offers his assistance by providing her with clothing and warmth and persuades her to attend a youth home. With Maybe feeling lonely and abandoned as her “Asphalt tribe” decreases in numbers due to deaths, she too sees her future to be short and decides that she must make a life-changing decision. It’s important to note that the author reminds the readers of the recurring mentality amongst the homeless youth that they feel they’re not noticed, nameless and that nobody cares of their existence.
Upon reading this novel, it really changed my views on homeless people and the tragedies that lead such individuals to their downfall. Todd Strasser has a great way of captivating young readers by making them feel connected to the characters by understanding the reality of street life. I would recommend this novel to junior high and high school readers. ( )

The novel, Can't Get There From Here by Todd Strasser emcompasses the theme of hope and inner strength. In the begining, Maybe, tells of the struggles and hardship of being a teen living on the streets. She introduces her "family", the other teens who live with her in the tunnel in New York City. Some struggles would be not enough food or clean clothes. Through the middle she perserveres with the slow loss of the her friends who lived on the street due to numerous reasons. In the end, she finally finds a safe home to live in which was offered to her by her friend, a libraian who helped her throughout the book and he takes on the role of her new guardian before the streets would have been her unmarked grave. ( )

The reader is compelled to read to learn if any of the members of the group will survive the street. May appeal to reluctant readers.