Gracie's Girl
By Ellen Wittlinger
By Ellen Wittlinger
Description - It's bad enough that her mother gives all her attention to a community soup kitchen, but now Bess Cunningham's best friend, Ethan, wants to volunteer there too. Bess has made so much progress in her attempt to gain popularity at her new middle school—she's got a wild new wardrobe and is working on the school play—that the idea of helping out seems lamer than ever. That is, until Grace Jarvis Battle comes into her life.
Gracie is a sweet elderly woman who is not unlike Bess's grandmothers—except Gracie lives on the street and eats out of Dumpsters. Because of Gracie, Bess quickly becomes involved with the soup kitchen. When her mother spearheads an effort to establish a permanent shelter for women, Bess knows that this is the best way to help Gracie. But the shelter won't be ready until Thanksgiving. With it getting colder, Bess and Ethan try to help Gracie on their own. Will it be enough?
In examining how homelessness can affect anyone, acclaimed author Ellen Wittlinger puts a human face on an all-too-common problem - Barns and Noble
I thought that this book is really interesting! It gave me a few things to think about. First of all, as Ellen Wittlinger wanted, I thought about the problems of our society. How often do we see someone in need and not help. The comment is made that "the problems are so large, you begin to feel hopeless yourself. As much as you do, there's still so much more you weren't able to do." The book then goes on to give us hope. Hope that everything little thing that is done to help, is a great accomplishment! I was thinking about the problems that our society does face, and I just think that if everyone would do a little more. Many of the homelessness problems would go away. Proper care would be given. It makes me want to do my little part, to help the world be a better place.
On the other hand, I saw what trying too much can do. Bess, the main character of the story, felt like her parents were never there. I wonder where the line is, how can we help out in the community without hurting our own families. What's the "Better" thing to do? Bess makes the comment that "when two things are important, it's hard to know". I know that Family should always come first! This is a wonderful knowledge that I have and a firm belief that Family is the most important thing! But I know too many people who claim to believe the same thing, and yet forget in the midts of so many "Projects" that take up our time!
I thought that this book is really interesting! It gave me a few things to think about. First of all, as Ellen Wittlinger wanted, I thought about the problems of our society. How often do we see someone in need and not help. The comment is made that "the problems are so large, you begin to feel hopeless yourself. As much as you do, there's still so much more you weren't able to do." The book then goes on to give us hope. Hope that everything little thing that is done to help, is a great accomplishment! I was thinking about the problems that our society does face, and I just think that if everyone would do a little more. Many of the homelessness problems would go away. Proper care would be given. It makes me want to do my little part, to help the world be a better place.
On the other hand, I saw what trying too much can do. Bess, the main character of the story, felt like her parents were never there. I wonder where the line is, how can we help out in the community without hurting our own families. What's the "Better" thing to do? Bess makes the comment that "when two things are important, it's hard to know". I know that Family should always come first! This is a wonderful knowledge that I have and a firm belief that Family is the most important thing! But I know too many people who claim to believe the same thing, and yet forget in the midts of so many "Projects" that take up our time!
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