11 year old Ellen tells her own story of abuse and neglect in mid-20th century North Carolina. Her mother commits suicide to escape her abusive father, and young Ellen learns to take care of herself-- literally putting food on her table and paying bills so she doesn't lose the house and hiding from her Daddy and his drunken friends. Strong implication of sexual abuse--no detailed abuse scenes (this is not A CHILD CALLED IT). Ellen bounces back and forth-past to present-- which is comforting because she is in a new foster home-- a good home-- at the end of the story-- the abuse is significant. Ellen grows through out the story-- sub plot of her only friend, a poor black girl names Starletta- lots of growth there too. A quiet, compelling book, sometimes funny--you really like Ellen-- a strong survivor. Has one of the best opening lines i ever read: "When I was little I would think of ways to kill my daddy."
Good book. Quick Read. ( )

Ellen was a really interesting character.I did enjoy this book but I was confused on what time period it was in.I thought for the longest time it was 50's possibly early 60's. Then there is a paragraph where her teacher says she was a flower child in the 60's and that made the book so different for me.I had to pretend I hadn't read that and went on with it in the decade I assumed it was in. ( )

The book was depressing.....we never know what children live through. This being told through the eyes of a child made it even more sad.

I did keep reading, though...what an awful childhood, but she made it through.

I think her determination made the book very readable and there were times you could laugh. ( )

A story of resiliancy. There is a lot more I could say about this book, but ultimately it is about a child taking charge of her own life. Almost 4 stars, but it isn't a book I will read again. ( )

It took me a little while to get into this book, but once I got used to the dialogue it was easy. I usually have a hard time reading books about abuse and prefer lighter stories, but I have to say the way it was written through the childs eyes and her non chalant way of talking about it made it less depressing. Kaye Gibbons did a great job of using humor to let you know that Ellens fine and she can handle herself. The style of writing is so unique and I've never read anything like it before. Even if only for that reason I think that everybody should read this book. It doesnt hurt that its not too long either. I was finished with it in 2 sittings. ( )