Winner of the 2020 YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award. Instead of giving him lunch money, Rex’s mom has signed him up for free meals. As a poor kid in a wealthy school district, better-off kids crowd impatiently behind him as he tries to explain to the cashier that he’s on the free meal program. The lunch lady is hard of hearing, so Rex has to shout. Free Lunch is the story of Rex’s efforts to navigate his first semester of sixth grade—who to sit with, not being able to join the football team, Halloween in a handmade costume, classmates and a teacher who take one look at him and decide he’s trouble—all while wearing secondhand clothes and being hungry. His mom and her boyfriend are out of work, and life at home is punctuated by outbursts of violence. Halfway through the semester, his family is evicted and ends up in government-subsidized housing in view of the school. Rex lingers at the end of last period every day until the buses have left, so no one will see where he lives. Unsparing and realistic, Free Lunch is a story of hardship threaded with hope and moments of grace. Rex’s voice is compelling and authentic, and Free Lunch is a true, timely, and essential work that illuminates the lived experience of poverty in America.
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About the author
Rex Ogle
Author
Rex Ogle is an American author and editor who has published more than 100 books, including those written under various pseudonyms, such as Trey King, Honest Lee, and Rey Terciero. In addition to writing and editing for DC Comics and Marvel Comics, Ogle has written a number of graphic novels and memoirs, including Free Lunch.
Free Lunch
by Rex Ogle
Books Like Free Lunch
If you're looking for books similar to Free Lunch, here are some recommendations based on themes, tone, and narrative style.
Educated
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A powerful memoir about overcoming poverty and limited opportunities through education. Westover grows up in a strict, isolated family in rural Idaho, surviving without formal schooling. Her journey to self-discovery and academic achievement mirrors themes of resilience found in Free Lunch. The book explores how systemic challenges can be confronted through personal determination and learning.
Born a Crime
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A memoir about growing up during apartheid in South Africa. Noah explores poverty, race, and family dynamics with humor and insight. Similar to Free Lunch, the book provides a personal narrative about navigating complex social systems. It reveals how individual stories can illuminate broader societal challenges.
Just Mercy
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A memoir about confronting systemic injustice and poverty through legal advocacy. Stevenson shares stories of marginalized individuals navigating complex social systems. Similar to Free Lunch, the book offers a powerful narrative about overcoming societal barriers. It demonstrates the potential for individual action to create meaningful change.
The Hate U Give
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A young adult novel addressing social inequality and systemic challenges facing marginalized communities. The protagonist Starr Carter navigates between two worlds, confronting poverty, racism, and social barriers. Like Free Lunch, the book offers an authentic portrayal of adolescent experiences with socioeconomic challenges. It provides a raw, honest perspective on growing up with limited resources.
I Am Malala
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A memoir about education as a pathway to overcoming systemic challenges. Yousafzai shares her experiences fighting for girls' education in Pakistan. Like Free Lunch, the book demonstrates personal resilience in the face of significant obstacles. It offers an inspiring narrative of hope and determination.
Evicted
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A sociological study of poverty and housing insecurity in America. Desmond follows several families experiencing eviction and economic struggle. Like Free Lunch, the book provides a compassionate, detailed look at economic challenges. It reveals the complex systems perpetuating poverty.
Brown Girl Dreaming
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A memoir in verse exploring childhood, identity, and overcoming economic challenges. Woodson shares her experiences growing up African American in the 1960s and 1970s. Like Free Lunch, the book offers a deeply personal narrative about navigating social and economic obstacles. Her poetic style provides intimate insights into childhood resilience.
The Glass Castle
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A memoir about childhood poverty and family dysfunction. Walls describes her unconventional upbringing with nomadic, struggling parents. Like Free Lunch, the book offers an unflinching look at economic hardship from a child's perspective. It explores themes of survival, resilience, and family complexity.
The Other Wes Moore
Wes Moore
A comparative memoir exploring how social circumstances shape life trajectories. Moore contrasts his own life with another man sharing his name but following a different path. Similar to Free Lunch, the book examines systemic challenges and personal choice. It provides insights into poverty, opportunity, and social mobility.
Nickel and Dimed
Barbara Ehrenreich
A journalistic exploration of working poverty in America. Ehrenreich goes undercover in low-wage jobs to understand economic struggles facing working-class Americans. The book shares Free Lunch's commitment to revealing systemic economic challenges. It provides a compassionate, detailed look at survival in a difficult economic landscape.
The Circuit
Francisco Jiménez
A autobiographical account of a migrant farmworker child's experiences. Jiménez details the challenges of poverty, education, and immigrant life. The book shares Free Lunch's commitment to honest, child's-perspective storytelling about economic hardship. It provides a nuanced view of survival and hope in challenging circumstances.
Angela's Ashes
Frank McCourt
A memoir about growing up in extreme poverty in Ireland. McCourt details family struggles, hunger, and survival with remarkable prose. Like Free Lunch, the book offers a child's perspective on economic hardship. It provides a poignant exploration of resilience and hope.
Hillbilly Elegy
J.D. Vance
A memoir about growing up in a poor Rust Belt family and overcoming generational poverty. Vance explores family dynamics, economic challenges, and personal transformation. Similar to Free Lunch, the book provides an unvarnished look at economic struggle and social mobility. It reveals how personal narrative can illuminate broader societal issues.
Push
Sapphire
A novel about a teenage girl overcoming extreme poverty and abuse through education. The protagonist Precious confronts systemic challenges with remarkable resilience. Similar to Free Lunch, the book provides an unfiltered view of economic and social struggles. It demonstrates the transformative power of education and personal determination.
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