In the novel The Crossing written by Gary Paulsen, many of the children are homeless or poor. The homeless or poor children are asking for money or food. Many Americans should read this novel and appreciate how lucky they are to have someone, either a parent or a guardian to look after and care for them. Even if a child doesn’t have anyone to care for them the state or government would place the child in foster care or an orphanage. That is why it is important for many Americans to read this novel. American children that have food on the table, a bed to sleep in at night and not have to wake up and worry about if they will have food today or not, don’t know how other countries have to beg for food, shelter, money, and that things are a lot