Author Kaye Gibbons takes us through the riveting story of Ellen Foster, an 11-year-old girl who is forced to face reality much sooner than her peers. Throughout the course of Ellen's life, growing up is a recurring theme portrayed by the traumatic experiences she withstands and the hardships she faces. Ellen undergoes a major life change when her parents die and she realizes she has nobody to depend on.
Living with an invalid mother who has a severe heart problem and an abusive, drunken father all eleven years caused Ellen to mature faster than any other person her age. …
