Ellen Foster

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Summary: This is the best book I have ever read!!
Review: I really enjoyed reading the book, Ellen Foster. I think this book really tells what an orphaned child has to go through, it is sad, but true. I love to read books that Kaye Gibbons writes, I find her to be an excellent author. Now I am looking forward to reading the rest of her books in her Oprah's Club Series.

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Summary: I hope to have Ellen's insight.
Review: "When I was little I would think of ways to kill my daddy." These are the first words we hear from eleven-year-old Ellen Foster. Ellen is a young victim of abuse, neglect, and poverty. Her loving mother commits suicide and her alcoholic father is abusive to Ellen. Ellen is treated terribly by everyone who should love her. Ellen overcomes many obstacles and finds herself a loving, functional foster family. I'm sorry it took me so long to read this humorous story about predjudice, abuse, and neglect.

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Summary: good book
Review: the movie does not do it justice. I could just not put this book down. You learn about the triumphs and downfalls of a courageous girl named ellen.

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Summary: a book everyone should read
Review: I'm only 17, and I read this book for my AP english class, but I don't think I wasted one bit of my time. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Kaye Gibbons is an author that makes you laugh and makes you cry through the words in this novel. Every person in each walk of life can relate to part of Ellen's life. Gibbons has every reader anticipating what will happen to Ellen next. The symbolism and imagery is fantastic. My favorite scene is the scene in which her grandmother dies. One thing about this novel that everyone should pay attention to is how there are never any quotations when someone in the story is speaking. This is clearly a statement of how words spoken are no more important and no different from words thought. Gibbons was very successful using such syntax. This is a great book that everyone should read.

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Summary: Worth Reading
Review: I read this book in one evening. It reminds me of a poem at times because you have to actual use your mind and imagination to form the story. I think that is why some people don't enjoy this type of book. They are use to books that spoon feed you the story. When you read this book you have to use your imagination to cook the story in your mind and serve it up and feed it to yourself. I think that this kind of exercise of your mind is something all of us need to take part in every now and then. It keeps your brain from getting fat and lazy.

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Summary: It was okay, enjoyed A Virtuous Woman much better....
Review: I read this in one day, finding it a quick, light read. Unfortunately, I did not really feel taken in by the novel, though Ellen was cute. I think Gibbons' message regarding Starletta's plight nice, rather normal, though. Check out A Virtuous Woman or Hoffman's Here on Earth for a similar, more enjoyable read.

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Summary: Poetic, concise, and dynamic.
Review: As someone who has befriended foster children and learned of their struggles, I see Ellen clearly. She has many qualities, whether good or bad, that I consistently see in my "foster friends." Kaye Gibbons masterfully speaks through the eyes and heart of a young girl who struggles through abuse and takes refuge with strangers who are kinder than family. Ellen Foster redeems herself in a manner that touches the readers heart. Thank you, Kaye Gibbons for writing with brevity rather than allowing this wonderful character to be drowned by wordy and needless verbiage. Ellen Foster awakens the spirit as does Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird and Morrison's The Bluest Eye.

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Summary: Refreshing, entertaining, touching. A quick, easy read.
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed my first introduction to Kaye Gibbons and promptly visited the library for her other titles after finishing "Ellen Foster." It reminded me of "Catcher in the Rye" and other coming-of-age tales. Ellen is a fiesty child with a wonderfully wry sense of humor. I was totally surprised when my eyes welled up with tears at the ending. It's a rare book that makes me cry. I have suggested this book to several others and think it should be on school reading lists. I am new to the South and really enjoyed this slice of life by a Southern author.

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Summary: Ellen Foster is a beautiful, believable character.
Review: Ellen lives her life surviving racism. It is through this in which she learns to live. With "no parents" she teaches herself about life and it's hardships and through the cruelty of her father, grandmother, aunt and cousin, they to teach her to live life as it's fullest. I found the book difficult to read through the way it was written.(I am 13 years old) But I kept at it and found Ellen Foster to be one of lives role models.

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Summary: Ellen Foster was a wonderful book, great for girls!
Review: This book helped me relize that others out there have a hard life and that i need to appriciate what i have for myself. This is one of the best books i have read in a while. I highly Recommend this book for teens, and pre-teen girls. I liked it and i know you will too. Ellen Foster was a Lively girl who went though many difficult dicisons. I hope you like it.