I was grabbed by the first line.

I thought I would love it, but that didn't happen. There were things to appreciate, but in the end it just didn't work for me. Ellen is an 11-year old who narrates her own story of abuse, neglect, and trauma. I think Gibbons is a talented writer and she did a very good job with Ellen's narrative voice. Other reviews and the jacket blurbs all talk about how funny Ellen is but I read this novel stony-faced. I'm sure it's a personal thing for me; perhaps the work I do has made it impossible for me to ever find a moment of humor in such a story.

July 12 2015......I read this book because I needed a book with a female heroine for the summer reading challenge. (and it was a short one!) I found the writing style a little hard to follow at first, but soon became accustomed to it. All in all, not a bad book.

A young girl from the Southern backwoods who is wise beyond her years is abused, neglected, and left to find refuge in a world of predatory adults. A heart-rending tale of courage, wit, and purpose.

bham2013

Powerful opening that grabs you immediately, this novel is told from the perspective of a 10 year old facing many adult challenges. While daunting, Ellen exercises considerable agency while maintaining a believeable voice.

Wow, what a book. At a whopping 126 pages, I wasn't sure it could pack much of a punch, but the ending really gets to you.

Written by Gibbons when she was 27, and perhaps based partially on her life, this is a coming of age story of 11 year old Ellen Foster. Ellen escapes difficult circumstances to find a loving home but this precocious girl is still emotionally damaged. Her voice is without self-pity and seems authentic.

Oprah's book club.