There were many times this book could have really taken off and flown, but it unfortunately died during a few of it's multiple plot points. Brittany, a young girl in the middle grades, lives with her mother, baby half-brother, grandmother with mental incapacitation, and an abusive Male figure in the city of Chicago. The Male frequently leaves the mother on her own in the home with the baby, the girl, and the elderly women without providing money for food or other necessities. He then blames the mother and it is alluded to that he becomes drunk and abusive toward her. The girl wants to get away and her teacher this school year has given her some insight into what she wants in her life at this time and she has figured out how to get there.
This girl has all the tools sitting out in front in front of her, you guys! How does she not see this when she hears the good news from her Uncle Fuzzy? How can she not run to her mother and tell her what she has learned?
I understand that in real life there must be patience and time with meticulous planning when it comes to these things, but this book dragged on some things in ways that could have made the story feel less like it was all going to end in disaster and disappointment had one little piece of information been shared between daughter and mother. ( )

Eleven year old Brittany believes that there is nothing in life for her. She has a best friend and loves school and her teacher Mr. McInnis, but her home life is full of stress and sadness. She feels trapped and hopeless until her teacher encourages her to make a plan for her life.
Once You Know This is recommended for readers fourth through sixth grade. The author touches on the very difficult subjects of loss and abuse in a heartwarming, positive and sensitive narrative. The plot is character driven and the settings are as much a part of the story as the characters. Reader’s will be able to see hope where there doesn’t seem to be any and they will identify with others in difficult situations ( )