Book Review: Have You Found Her

I’ve never been homeless. I’ve never even had any real experience with anyone homeless, unless you count giving takeout or a few bucks to a homeless person now and then.

I’ve also never been addicted to anything, unless you count cheese. I do love cheese.

It was my interest in this unfamiliar subjects that initially drew me to Have You Found Her by Janice Erlbaum.

The memoir is about Erlbaum going back to volunteer at a homeless shelter she lived in more than two decades ago. Erlbaum, a 34-year-old writer, wanted to meet and help a girl who was like she used to be. So, she became the “bead lady,” taking jewelry making materials to the shelter once a week to share with the women who lived there. Her hope was to met a kindred spirit while gathered around the table making bracelets and earrings.

She met Sam, a 19-year-old unbelievably smart junkie. And she knew immediately that Sam was the girl she was meant to save.

But saving Sam proved a lot more difficult than Erlbaum had expected. Especially since Sam really didn’t want to be saved.

Erlbaum’s book is wonderfully well written. It seemed honest and thoughtful. It was worth the read.