Our team at Henrico CASA loves to read… and there’s no better time to read than the summer! In upcoming weeks we’ll be highlighting some of our recent favorites in the hopes that you will enjoy the themes and connections to our work as child advocates.
Synopsis
In Evicted, Princeton sociologist and MacArthur “Genius” Matthew Desmond follows eight families in Milwaukee as they each struggle to keep a roof over their heads. Hailed as “wrenching and revelatory” (The Nation), “vivid and unsettling” (New York Review of Books), Evicted transforms our understanding of poverty and economic exploitation while providing fresh ideas for solving one of twenty-first-century America’s most devastating problems. Its unforgettable scenes of hope and loss remind us of the centrality of home, without which nothing else is possible. (Amazon)
Why I Recommend…
Evicted really hits hard with its exploration of housing insecurity in the U.S. It dives deep into how evictions impact families, often pushing them deeper into poverty and instability. For CASA advocates, who see firsthand the effects of housing instability on children in the foster care system, this book offers a stark look at the challenges these families face.
As a non-fiction, Pulitzer prize winning book, it’s a super interesting, engrossing read. Desmond follows several families through their struggles with eviction, showing how it disrupts not just their living situations but their jobs, schooling, and overall well-being. It’s eye-opening because it sheds light on how systemic issues contribute to these problems, making it tough for families to break the cycle of poverty.
Overall, “Evicted” is a powerful read that prompts us to think critically about housing policy and its impact on vulnerable families. It’s a must-read for anyone looking to understand the complex issues surrounding poverty and housing in America.
Highly recommend!
