Mildred L. Batchelder Honor Award

2000

Best Book for Young Adults — ALA

2000

Notable Books for a Global Society — IRA

2000

Mildred L. Batchelder Honor Award

2000

Best Book for Young Adults — ALA

2000

Notable Books for a Global Society — IRA

2000

CCBC Choices

2000

Americas Award for Literature Commended Title

1999

Publishers Weekly

"The greatest strengths of the book are its cast of living, breathing characters and its unparalleled depiction of life on the streets."

Kirkus Reviews

"The riveting true story of a 13-year-old boy living on the streets of Rio de Janeiro, as do thousands of children, without shelter or hope. Holtwijk submerses readers into Alex's reality, his diminishing dreams, and his fears … Readers will inhabit Alex's life, for a time, and they will understand and admire him deeply."

Booklist

"The striking cover and high-interest subject will entice teens to follow Alex willingly into the streets …"

Publishers Weekly

"The greatest strengths of the book are its cast of living, breathing characters and its unparalleled depiction of life on the streets."

Kirkus Reviews

"The riveting true story of a 13-year-old boy living on the streets of Rio de Janeiro, as do thousands of children, without shelter or hope. Holtwijk submerses readers into Alex's reality, his diminishing dreams, and his fears … Readers will inhabit Alex's life, for a time, and they will understand and admire him deeply."

Booklist

"The striking cover and high-interest subject will entice teens to follow Alex willingly into the streets …"

Voice of Youth Advocate

"Much like Smack in its honesty, this novel is brought to life by Holtwijk's expertise. Originally published in the Netherlands in 1995, the translation into English is well done; the language is fairly natural, and dialogue includes realistic lingo … Although urban teens' lives are not much like Alex's, many will find street life shocking as well as interesting, and will put themselves in his flip-flops."

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Young adults will find this a readable, fact-based introduction to an important subject, one that provides sensitive readers with a balance of emotional involvement and intellectual distance."

KLIATT

"This is a gripping story … a story that should be read by everyone, because the atrocities these children suffer are unconscionable. Homelessness is a problem in most nations, and wherever they are, the situation of these children deserves attention."