The Smell of Other People's Houses

A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is feeling isolated by their own circumstances or struggling with the weight of family secrets and intergenerational expectations. It is a profoundly moving collection of four interconnected stories set in 1970s Alaska, focusing on young people navigating grief, poverty, and the search for belonging in a beautiful but unforgiving landscape. The narrative explores how the 'smell' of other people's homes can represent a yearning for a different life, ultimately showing how disparate lives can weave together into a support system. It is a sophisticated, realistic choice for mature middle schoolers and high schoolers that validates the difficulty of growing up while offering a hopeful glimpse at the power of chosen family.