Home for Margaret

One day, when Emma and her mom are hiking through Cherry Hill Forest, they spot a blue tent in the snow — and inside lives a woman named Margaret!

Emma wonders why she’s there, until Mom, who is a social worker, explains: “Some people have lost their jobs. Some people have health problems. No one chooses to be homeless.”

Emma picks out a red hat, a scarf and a pair of mittens to keep Margaret warm, and she and her mom visit Margaret throughout the winter. But in the spring, Margaret is gone! Emma is worried, and wonders what has happened to her.

Seasons pass and Emma finally spots a woman downtown wearing red mittens! She is relieved — and she knows that there’s one more thing she and her Mom can do to show Margaret that they care about her.

A sensitive portrayal of a person experiencing homelessness, as seen through the eyes of a child. Includes an author’s note.

Key Text Features

writing inspiration

author’s note

illustrations

Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.3

With prompting and support, identify characters, settings, and major events in a story.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.6

With prompting and support, name the author and illustrator of a story and define the role of each in telling the story.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.7

With prompting and support, describe the relationship between illustrations and the story in which they appear (e.g., what moment in a story an illustration depicts).

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2

Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.3

Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.7

Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events.

• IODE Jean Throop Book AwardShort-listed 2026