Wanted: Your House
A resourceful twelve-year-old comes up with an unusual real estate plan in this moving middle-grade novel about what it means to have, and make, a family.
Cyril's mom has been dragging him to open houses for as long as he can remember. It's been her dream that one day the two of them will have a house of their own. So, when she decides she'll never find one they can afford, Cyril is relieved, but also sad for her. Which leads him to an idea: What if they moved in with an older person living alone who needs companionship and housekeeping? And what if that person then leaves the house to his mom in their will? It's a big “what if.” But one elderly gentleman named Mr. Hartt actually seems open to it. Could this grouchy, stubborn old man be their dream come true? Or will he turn out to be their worst nightmare?
"Told in Cyril Milligan’s honest and funny first-person voice, this thoughtful story addresses family, social responsibility, and creative problem-solving. Cyril, 12, who is described as having red hair, lives in a cramped apartment with his mom Tina, an English teacher who loves gardening and cares deeply about the environment. Wanting a house with a yard, Cyril comes up with an idea that is unusual, bold, and a little risky: he advertises that he and his mom will help care for a senior in exchange for being left the house in that person’s will. Cyril’s plan connects to a school project he is doing with his best friend Bohdan that leads naturally into the exploration of aging. Their assignment is to interview older people and discover their perceptions of time. His friendship with Bohdan, whose Ukrainian refugee family lives in the same building, grounds the story in real-world concerns, including war, separation, and poverty. When Henry Hartt, a grouchy, lonely man with serious mobility issues, responds to Cyril’s ad, the story explores aging with honesty and compassion, addressing dementia, incontinence, and loss of independence in a way that is respectful and accessible. The Canadian setting feels genuine, with familiar expressions and social systems shaping the story. Featuring diverse families, including Cyril’s own conception through IVF and the presence of a supportive married gay couple in his life, the interwoven social commentary is timely and authentic. The surprise ending challenges readers to think creatively about housing and eldercare. VERDICT A compassionate, thought-provoking story that encourages empathy and innovation. Highly recommended for middle school readers and educators." A starred review -- by Lynne Stover, School Library Journal
"When 12-year-old Cyril Milligan posts an advertisement in a coffee shop bathroom, he begins a journey that redefines his understanding of family.Cyril and his single mother, Tina, live in an apartment in Montreal. Cyril’s mother used a sperm donor to start their family—the source of his red hair and dust allergy. Cyril doesn’t have grandparents in his life—his mom grew up in foster care—but the two of them have Lonnie, who’s Tina’s best friend, and the Kushnirs, a family of Ukrainian refugees who live downstairs. Tina dreams of owning a home but can’t afford one on her teaching salary. When she finally decides to stop visiting open houses, Cyril secretly comes up with an unconventional idea. He creates an advertisement seeking someone who needs companionship and household help from Cyril and Tina in exchange for their inheriting the property upon the homeowner’s death. An elderly man named Mr. Hartt responds, and their email exchange leads to a one-month trial—after Cyril, with Lonnie’s help, overcomes his mom’s initial resistance. Tensions arise as cantankerous, intolerant Mr. Hartt struggles to let others in. Cyril’s first-person narration underscores his confrontation with the harsh realities of aging. Through empathy and kindness, the three become a family, facing life’s challenges together. The unhurried pace allows for rich character development; the cast members’ complex emotions and challenges showcase their realistic flaws, strengths, missteps, and successes. Main characters read white. A well-executed celebration of chosen family and diverse family structures." -- Kirkus
"Award-winning author Monique Polak has written a highly readable novel that sensitively explores the idea of found family and alternative family structures. Readers will appreciate how the novel's lovable protagonist, Cyril, has caring relationships with his mom, his best friend and his friend's family (refugees from the war in Ukraine), while also feeling normal middle-grade insecurities and frustrations as he tries to navigate the changes in his and his friend's family's lives. The book offers excellent lessons on adaptability and tolerance. The story's focus on older people (Cyril is originally inspired by a school assignment to interview older adults) offers an opportunity for conversations about aging, and could inspire readers to cultivate their own intergenerational relationships and learn more about the older people in their lives." -- 49th Shelf
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