Everyone needs a home.

There are 150 million people experiencing homelessness worldwide, and that number is increasing every year. Homelessness is not a choice, yet it exists in almost every community. But why are people homeless? Who are they? What can you do? In Shelter: Homelessness in Our Community, readers will get answers to these complex questions.

They'll learn about the root causes of homelessness and its effects, and what people and organizations around the world are doing to address the problem. It shares the personal stories of people who live on the street and the adults and kids who work with them. As a former homeless-shelter worker, author Lois Peterson encourages young people to approach the issue with knowledge and compassion. She dispels some of the myths about homelessness and makes the case for why everyone deserves a safe, permanent place to call home. (From Orca Book Publishers)

Lois Peterson is a B.C.-based author of eight books of fiction for children, and numerous short stories, essays and articles for adults. She worked at a public library for more than 35 years and worked as executive director of a homeless shelter.

Taryn Gee is an Ontario artist who specializes in lifestyle illustration and possesses an affinity for both figurative and narrative art.