Keesha's House

Bibliography

Frost, H. (2003). Keesha's house. New York: Frances Foster Books/Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

Review

Keesha’s house is told from the voice of teens that are looking for a place to fit in. Keesha has found that place at Joe’s and invites others to stay as long as they need to get back on their feet. Stephie is coping with the knowledge that she will be a teen mother and then feeling guilty for the relief that comes when the pregnancy ends in miscarriage. Harris is ostracized by his father after he admits that he is homosexual, and he finds himself living in his car and working to survive on his own. Dontay cannot trust his foster family and he is looking for a way to get out of their house where he doesn’t quite feel like he belongs. Carmen has been arrested on DUI charges and ends up disappointing the one person that cared for her. Katie covets her privacy as she chooses to live in Joe’s basement, a place where she feels safe from her step-father’s inappropriate advances. Keesha embraces each of these teens and helps them find peace through the simple act of giving them a place to stay.

Teens will enjoy reading about these controversial young adult topics while being exposed to beautiful language that connects readers to the characters more deeply than a traditional novel. Each characters’ point of view is told using the French sestina poem where six words are repeated at the end of each line through six stanzas. The people that care most for each teen cry out in fourteen line sonnets like the one highlighted below, and they would be a good way to introduce students to more traditional forms of poetry that will speak to their generation. Even though the teens endure criticism and tragedy, the overall story is one of acceptance and redemption. Teens will want to read the novel for its raw truth, but they will be impressed with the challenging poetic form when they are encouraged to take a closer look.

Classroom/Library Connection

recommended audience: high school students

Before reading: Have several verse novels, including Keesha’s House, out on display.

During reading: read “I Know the Value” by Joe.

I know the Value- Joe

I know the value of a house like this

Old and solid, hardwood stairs and floor.

But when I showed up at Aunt Annie’s door

when I was twelve—bruised, scared, clenched fists—

all I knew then was: I could stay.

As long as you need to, Joe, was what she kept

on saying, right up till she died and left

 the house to me. So now that’s what I say

when kids show up and I know they can’t ask

for what they shouldn’t have to ask for. They need

more than I can give them. I know I’m

no Aunt Annie. I ain’t up to the task

of tryin’ to be their legal foster dad.

But I can give them space—and space is time.

After Reading: Ask students to use Voki.com to create a talking avatar of their character from a verse novel. The character should read a poem or a portion of a poem from their book. Post the vokis on the library’s website.