Nobody's Home

A powerful dramatization of child neglect, filmmaker Chris Wilkinson's Nobody's Home stars Sal Ortiz as Anthony Daniels. Anthony lives at home with his younger brother Robbie, and a single mother who is out more often than she's in. When trouble with the other kids at school brings Anthony once more to the attention of the school's counselor Carl, the counselor begins to ask probing questions about Robbie's family life at home. Through these question and answer sessions, viewers learn not only some of the more common physical signs of neglect (shoddy appearance, continual wearing of the same clothes, etc.), they also gain insight into the complex emotions which may be involved. In Anthony's case, he not only feels a strong love for and fierce loyalty to his mother, he also believes that he's responsible for the family's problems. Needless to say, the price isn't even remotely in range for public libraries, but flush elementary school libraries would find this an ideal discussion starter for upper elementary students. Highly recommended for that audience. (Available from: FilmFair Communications, 10621 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601.)