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The mystery begins with a bizarre accident on a deserted, wintery street in Chicago. Now stir in an old Langston Hughes book on rhythms, the Chicago Public Library's huge downtown building, a family of four that find themselves in the midst of a spiraling nightmare, and the 2003 Antwerp Diamond Heist, the biggest in history.
You will meet Dash, Sum, Early and Jubie… and many others living in a large city shelter. As dreams chase reality in a fearless yet sparkly search, 11-year-old Early Pearl will take you on a ride not easily forgotten. |
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“A moving story… enthralling and satisfying.” (click here for full review)
-Kirkus, starred review |
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“Wonderful, will pierce all readers.”
-Booklist, starred review
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"Balliett paints a vivid picture, a literary composition reminiscent of an Impressionist painting,.. This is an engaging mystery in which books are both the problem and the solution, and the author shows that the fight to hold fast to your dreams rewards those who persevere. Excellent."
-School Library Journal, starred review |
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"This novel abounds in heart, shining a spotlight on the gritty truths about homelessness."
-Publishers Weekly
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"Do not underestimate the ability of a mystery story to lift and empower… Joining the ranks of the resourceful preteen heroes of Balliett's previous novels is 11-year-old Early Pearl, a whip-smart book-loving girl whose world is upended when her father, Dashel, who works at the Harold Washington Library, goes missing."
-Donald Liebenson, The Chicago Tribune |
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"In Hold Fast, a crucial subject is poetry and…moving depictions of the social safety net and life in a homeless shelter. The shelter is an uneasy refuge… but the multifaceted Early Pearl, ever observant and always pondering, shines as bright as any diamond."
-Abby McGanney Nolan, The New York Times |
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"A captivating mystery…Balliett shows readers that shelters are full of people who need a dream to hold fast to, just like the rest of us."
-Book Page, Heather Brush, five stars
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"Early's story is one of redemption and hope, a triumph of the human spirit in one shelter kid. The book is a must read for those twelve and younger as the author's play with language and words creates a lyrical read."
-International Reading Association Online |
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"I hope that every library in the country can find room on the shelves for this book. It feels like it belongs in the heart of so many readers: rich, poor, tall, short, black, white, from the Midwest, the Southwest… Hold Fast is going to change lives. It is going to make the world a better place."
-Sharpread (sharpread.wordpress.com)
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“The quiet courage on display in this book is heartbreaking and insightful. Blue Balliett deserves high praise for creating a great family of characters and treating their story – and the issue of homelessness – with such concern and respect.”
-Michael Nameche, The Chicago Coalition for the Homeless
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“An excellent depiction of the impact and emotions that homelessness engenders, in a story that reflects the resilience of our children.”
-Patricia Rivera, Chicago HOPES for Kids
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 There are many excellent organizations working to help homeless families in Chicago. Those I know best are:
In every community across the U. S., there are groups and/or individuals working to support those families who are facing everyday life without a home. Help is always both welcome and needed, and can come in many forms and from all ages. |
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