Narrated by an eleven-year-old Ellen, the novel tells of Ellen’s desperate search for a loving home after the death of her mother. Set in the South in the 1970s, the novel depicts a friendship between two young girls separated by class and race. The search for love in a cruel society strengthens Ellen’s determination and helps her realize that her circumstances, though difficult and painful, cannot be compared to the life’s circumstances of her friend, Starletta, a black girl growing up in an intensely racist locale.
Students examine characterization, plot, theme, tone, symbolism, conflict, and chronology. They also read, write, research, and analyze. Lessons encourage discussion of several key questions, including whether our society sees the intrinsic value of each person and whether our society sets up some of its citizens for failure almost at birth.
Supplementary materials include an objective test with answer key and essay topics.
