Preview
  • Free Lunch

  • By: Rex Ogle
  • Narrated by: Ramon De Ocampo
  • Length: 5 hrs and 52 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (237 ratings)

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Free Lunch

By: Rex Ogle
Narrated by: Ramon De Ocampo
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Publisher's summary

A distinctive new voice: Rex Ogle's story of starting middle school on the free lunch program is timely, heartbreaking, and true. Free Lunch is the story of Rex Ogle's first semester in sixth grade. Rex and his baby brother often went hungry, wore secondhand clothes, and were short of school supplies, and Rex was on his school's free lunch program. Grounded in the immediacy of physical hunger and the humiliation of having to announce it every day in the school lunch line, Rex's is a compelling story of a more profound hunger - that of a child for his parents' love and care.

Compulsively listenable, beautifully crafted, and authentically told with the voice and point of view of a sixth-grade kid, Free Lunch is a remarkable debut by a gifted storyteller.

©2019 Rex Ogle (P)2019 Recorded Books
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Critic reviews

“Outstanding, gracious writing and a clear eye for the penetrating truth. A mighty portrait of poverty amid cruelty and optimism.” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)

What listeners say about Free Lunch

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  • Overall
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Narrator was awesome

His voice and accent changes were effective. Each character has their own tone. Brought the story together.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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Grown-up, sad/emotional, beautiful

I haven't enjoyed such a well-written book in years. I cried a lot. Such a talented author.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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the narrative was amazing

This story really guided you through the perspective of a child trying to do better than his parents and living in poverty and the feelings this bring out. It's my favorite read of 2024

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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The content.

The truth and transparency touched on the life many of us do not see or are conscious of. The struggles of the poor are sad.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Can’t stop listening

I love books about poverty struggles and stuff like that. I highly recommend this book to rich people.

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2 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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really sad

I loved it and it was a sad story about free lunch. favorite book ever

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Perspective

This book put a kid’s life in perspective. Feelings, struggles, pain, empathy, embarrassment. Great for adults and kids alike.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Wonderful Read

Fantastic book about the trials and resilience of a low income youth growing up in the United States. I enjoyed this book as much as my 8 year old daughter did.

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3 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Good

Great story! However, there are some curse words in the story. So, it's for kids but specific age, not any age.

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1 person found this helpful

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How bad you feel for Rex

I liked that he still loved his mom no matter what she did to him or how she treated him.

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