Ellen Foster

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Summary: Bone meets Holden Caulfield
Review: Ellen Foster is a character in the tradition of Dorothy Allison's "Bastard Out of Carolina" and Salinger's "Catcher in the Rye." Kaye Gibbons' approach, to write entirely in the voice of her main character, serves the book's purpose well. Although Ellen's voice sometimes makes her storytelling confusing and vague, especially early in the novel, the book is often beautifully wrought and subtle. It is sometimes humorous, often heartbreaking, and simply written. A nice compliment to Salinger's overwrought prose and Allison's brutal forthrightness. This book ranks right up there with those other two works and in fact is probably better suited for high-school age readers than either. Not perfect, but well worth the read.

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Summary: Ellen Foster is a wonderful book
Review: I really enjoyed this book. When I first got it, it looked like it would get to the point. But there is so much packed in there. I felt I could relate to Ellen even though I not gone through all she has. Her friendship with Starletta were my favorite parts to read.

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Summary: I loved Ms. Gibbons' writing style.
Review: I belong to a book club in which this book was one of our reading assignments. I was unfamiliar with this author, but found her writing style interesting and very enjoyable. I am anxious to read more of her books. The humor in this story thinly masked the tragedy in this resourceful young girl's life. This story was very sad, but you also found yourself laughing a lot at the off-beat sense of humor, which I imagine is the way a girl her age and in her situation would think.

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Summary: Ellen Foster is a good book with strong social implications.
Review: Ellen Foster is a book about a young girl who has to overcome a great deal of tragedy. She witnesses her mother's, father's, and grandmother's deaths. She is moved around from family to family until she finally finds a place she can call home. Ellen discovers a great deal about herself and her world. Ellen is a very practical girl who is able to overcome a great deal of adversity and find strength in herself. Ellen also concludes that her life is not tragic by comparrison to others. Ellen Foster is a bit confusing to follow at times. The author tends to jump around quite a bit. However, I found that it was relatively easy and quick to read.I would recommend this book to someone who needs to do a book report on a social issue and has very little time to spare. I would also recommend reading it as a just for fun book as well. Ellen Foster is charming, tragic, and insightful.

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Summary: A story of a resilient girl who is able to find a family.
Review: I enjoyed reading Ellen Foster because Ellen possesses resilience- a characteristic that can take a person far in life. The book pertains to life in America because there are so many children who do not have families. The story is hope for all those children.

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Summary: I thought that this is very emotional and very sad.
Review: The main Character Ellen learns alot of things in this book . She learned how to be more friendly to other races and she learned how to deal wit hher drunk and drug addict father .Ellen had to learn to find a new home after her parents died . In this book I learned that people always have bigger problems than you .

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Summary: I liked this book because it could happen in the real world.
Review: The main character, Ellen, learns that is doesn't matter what color your skin is, but what is inside of you. Ellen also matures and 'grows up' throughout the book. I learned what it feels like to be a child with an abusive parent. I also learned about what it feels like to be unwanted and to finally feel wanted. I liked this book because it is not just some 'fairy tale', but it could happen in the real world.

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Summary: Wonderful book, it's a thinker
Review: The book Ellen Foster is a very unique novel. It is written from the point of view of a little girl who is neglected by her family. Ellen is a very intelligent girl who is extreamly mature in the way she views the world. After watching her only window of hope die from an overdose of pain pills, Ellen is passed from one unloving family member to the next. It is not until she takes her situation into her own hands and sets out to find a place for herself that she goes from the lonliness of being with family to the love that comes from strangers.

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Summary: Excellent book about children's resillence
Review: Ellen Foster is an excellent book about children's abilities to overcome adversity, even when it seems impossible to see hope. Ellen is an insiteful, funny, creative, and determined little girl who takes control of her life and finds a home and people to love her. She doesn't dwell on her hardships and hard luck, but makes her life better through determination and perseverance. Ellen Foster is a must read especially for teachers, to remind us of what some of our children are up against, as well, as, remind us to get to know our students.

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Summary: ELLEN FOSTER WAS A GOOD BOOK
Review: I FEEL IT WAS A GOOD BOOK BECAUSE OF ALL THE ADVERSITY AND HARDSHIP SHE HAD TO FACE SO EARLY IN LIFE. FOR HER TO OVERCOME ALL THAT AND NOT BE BITTER AND HAVE A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON LIFE IS A GOOD THING. I DON'T THINK I COULD BE ABLE TO GO THROUGH WHAT SHE WENT THROUGH AND STILL HOLD MY HEAD HIGH.