I received this ARC thanks to Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Is this a book that children are going to request every night? Perhaps.

Is this a story that will inspire and educate children? I believe so.
I would consider this a asset for all classrooms and libraries.

I was a bit disappointed with this book. I have read a lot of picture book biographies to my children, and thoroughly enjoyed most of them. However, this one was not what I expected. The pictures are not very detailed, and very little is told about Chris’s life. Each page has a couple of sentences about his life, many about how he was homeless, and then some commentary about what homelessness does to a person. Most pages also have sentences addressed directly to the child reading the book about how they should ask for help from trusted adults if they are homeless, hungry, or worried. Now, there is nothing wrong with all this—it just wasn’t what I was expecting. The book is written in very simple language, with a low vocabulary.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.

The original memoir Homeless to Hopkins was popular and inspiring. Although I like to see children’s versions of books originally for grownups, this book has potential but isn’t as appealing as it could be. I found the wording to be stilted with few contractions and more commas than necessary. The illustrations seemed old fashioned and not likely to grab younger readers. The original memoir is a good choice to be adapted for young readers, though.

First of all, I want to thank the author and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Homeless to Hopkins by Chris Smith is coming out on February 27, 2023.

This story is a true story about Chris Smith and how he went from being homeless to going to medical school. This story was very inspirational and would be a great classroom read. The writer explains what it is like being homeless and how he overcame obstacles. This book can show children that you can succeed with perseverance and hard work. #HomelesstoHopkinstheChildrensVersion #NetGalley

Published: 02/27/23
Genre: Children's Fiction | Parenting & Families

Thank you NetGalley and MindStir Media for accepting my request to read and review Homeless to Hopkins, the Children's Version.

Five stars, thoroughly appreciated how the author explained homelessness, gave vague examples without promises of possible helps, and didn't sugarcoat at all the life.

Staying in school is suggested as a means to better oneself. Chris is able to graduate high school, starts college and isn't able to finish. He worked for a couple of years, met someone who was able to help support him so he could and did finish college.

I didn't cringe when reading. This was a realistic telling that is written to teach fortunate people, particularly kids and adults. Likewise, if you are in this position there are resources and hope available. I was incredibly impressed and would like to see this in doctors/dental waiting rooms, Churches/Bible Studies and Volunteer Organizations.

Embark on an extraordinary journey of resilience and triumph. Homeless to Hopkins is the remarkable true story of Dr. Christopher Smith, a resilient individual who defied all odds to overcome a childhood filled with homelessness and adversity. In this inspiring children's book, Dr. Smith shares his journey from being a homeless teenager to becoming a physician at the prestigious Johns Hopkins Hospital. With a message of hope and perseverance, Dr. Smith's story serves as a beacon of inspiration for all, reminding readers that anything is possible with determination and belief in oneself.

Homeless to Hopkins is a story about Dr. Chris Smith, who was raised homeless and succeeded to be a physician at the renowned Johns Hopkins Hospital. This book is geared to elementary and middle grade readers. It takes the reader on Smith's journey from living in a car, working at McDonald's , going to college, dropping out of college and then finishing and going to medical school. It shows the reader both the obstacles and successes that Smith had in his life. I can see this being an excellent read aloud for all classrooms, which can lead to amazing discussions about people in our schools, and community.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an ARC in return for my honest review.

Dr. Christopher Smith's story is a testament to the human spirit's indomitable strength and the power of unwavering determination. This children's book skillfully portrays Dr. Smith's challenging childhood marked by homelessness, providing young readers with a glimpse into the harsh realities that some face. However, the book's underlying message of hope shines through as Dr. Smith's resilience leads him to overcome adversities and achieve his dream of becoming a physician at the renowned Johns Hopkins Hospital. The author's writing beautifully captures the emotions and struggles of the protagonist, offering an inspiring tale that encourages children to believe in their dreams, no matter the obstacles.

I did not know this story at all. This is a life affirming, optimistic, and motivating book about a young man who is homeless but who, through reading and being a good student, and finding love and marrying, is able to achieve his profession of being a doctor. The book strongly provides the message that with hard work and application we can rise above our status currently in life. The book also strongly emphases the power of asking for and seeking help. But a can do spirit, study, and elbow grease go far in taking us to our destination in life. The book is certainly an optimistic story and Dr. Chris Smith sounds like a winner to me!