Wanted: Your House

Gr 3-7–Told in Cyril Milligan’s honest and funny first-person voice, this thoughtful story addresses family, social responsibility, and creative problem-solving. Cyril, 12, who is described as having red hair, lives in a cramped apartment with his mom Tina, an English teacher who loves gardening and cares deeply about the environment. ­Wanting a house with a yard, Cyril comes up with an idea that is unusual, bold, and a little risky: he advertises that he and his mom will help care for a senior in exchange for being left the house in that person’s will. Cyril’s plan connects to a school project he is doing with his best friend Bohdan that leads naturally into the exploration of aging. Their assignment is to interview older people and discover their perceptions of time. His friendship with Bohdan, whose Ukrainian refugee family lives in the same building, grounds the story in real-world concerns, including war, separation, and poverty. When Henry Hartt, a grouchy, lonely man with serious mobility issues, responds to Cyril’s ad, the story explores aging with honesty and compassion, addressing dementia, incontinence, and loss of independence in a way that is respectful and accessible. The Canadian setting feels genuine, with familiar expressions and social systems shaping the story. Featuring diverse families, including Cyril’s own conception through IVF and the presence of a supportive married gay couple in his life, the interwoven social commentary is timely and authentic. The surprise ending challenges readers to think creatively about housing and eldercare.