The In-Between: A Memoir in Verse by Katie Van Heidrich

Summary

In the early 2000s, thirteen-year-old Katie Van Heidrich had already moved more times than she could count. Some moves came slowly, with time to pack carefully, while others happened in a matter of minutes. After returning home from a funeral, Katie and her siblings discover that their landlord has evicted them, forcing the family into an Extended Stay America motel.

Katie tries to balance middle school drama with the much larger challenges of homelessness, poverty, and life in “the in-between.” Told in verse, her memoir, The In-Between, captures the realities of growing up between homes, parents, cultures, and childhood and adolescence, all while searching for stability and hope.

What Worked:

• Lyrical writing – The verse format gives Katie’s story immediacy and emotion. Her words are spare but powerful, often stopping me in my tracks.
• Raw honesty – This isn’t a sugarcoated version of poverty or instability. Katie’s story feels authentic, painful, and deeply moving.
• Relatability – Even while facing extraordinary challenges, Katie still deals with middle school friendship drama, first crushes, and sibling conflicts. That balance makes her story resonate with young readers.
• Hopeful tone – Despite all the hardship, there is resilience and light woven throughout, which makes it accessible for middle grade readers.

What Might be Hard for Middle School Readers:

• Emotional heaviness – The memoir can feel overwhelming at times. There are so many layers of instability, grief, and cultural tension in one story. That said, I think that’s exactly the point, and it will spark important conversations in classrooms.
• Formatting – Some students might struggle with the verse format if they’re not used to it, but I believe the short, accessible sections will pull most of them in.

Final Thoughts:

As a former middle school teacher, I was blown away by this book. The In-Between is both heartbreaking and hopeful, offering a window into a life many students will recognize and others need to understand. It’s a memoir that reads like fiction, making it both captivating and relatable.

My Rating: 5/5 stars
I highly recommend this for middle school classrooms and libraries. Katie’s story will resonate with students navigating their own “in-betweens,” whether that’s home life, friendships, or identity.