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Raspberry Hill #1
Money Hungry
Thirteen-year-old Raspberry Hill is always scheming about ways to make money. She's starved for the green stuff, and will do just about anything legal to get it-wash cars, sell rotten candy, skip lunch, and clean houses. She is obsessed with making money, having money, smelling money, and touching money. Raspberry is determined that she and her momma will never be homeless again. When they are approved for a Section 8 move to a nice house in Pecan Landings, Raspberry thinks things are looking up. But after their apartment in the projects is robbed, and protest by the rich folks in Pecan Landings force them out of their new house, Raspberry must do everything in her power to keep her world from crumbling.
188 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
About the author
Sharon G. Flake
27 books649 followersSharon G. Flake is the author of five books, The Skin I'm In (1998), Money Hungry (2002), Begging for Change (2003), Who Am I Without Him? Short Stories About Boys and the Girls in Their Lives (2004), Bang! (Sept. 2005), and her latest novel The Broken Bike Boy and the Queen of 33rd Street (2007).
Her work is used in public and private schools around the nation, from elementary to high school, and is often required reading in colleges for students in education, child development, children's literature and English writing programs. Beyond that, her work is also a favorite among adults and adult book club readers.
Flake and her work have won numerous awards and recognitions including: Best Books for Young Adult Readers; Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers; the New York Public Library Top Ten Books for the Teen Age; 2005 featured author in the Ninth Book of Junior Authors & Illustrators; 2005 Capitol Choices; Noteworthy Books for Children; 2004 Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best Book; 2004 Texas Lone Star Award for Top Ten Books; 2002, 2004 Coretta Scott King Honor Award; Pennsylvania Council of the Arts Grant; 2004 Bank Street Best of the Year; 2004 Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book; 2004 CCBC Choices; Booklist Top Ten Fantasy Book; 2004 Booklist Top Ten Romance Novels for Youth; 2004 Booklist Editor's Choice Award; 2003 Detroit Free LIbrary Author of the Year; 1999 YWCA Racial Justice Award; 1999 Coretta Scott King-John Steptoe New Talent Award and more.
Flake's work appears on the Anti-Defamation League's website which stresses the use of children's literature to help educators address the problem of bullying in schools.
Flake was born in Philadelphia, PA, but has resided in Pittsburgh, PA with her daughter for many years. She is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a BA in English. For several years she was a youth counselor for a foster care agency, after which she spent 18 years working at the University of Pittsburgh in public relations. She has written numerous articles for national publications. Prior to having her first book published, she wrote for approximately 15 years.
Her work is used in public and private schools around the nation, from elementary to high school, and is often required reading in colleges for students in education, child development, children's literature and English writing programs. Beyond that, her work is also a favorite among adults and adult book club readers.
Flake and her work have won numerous awards and recognitions including: Best Books for Young Adult Readers; Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers; the New York Public Library Top Ten Books for the Teen Age; 2005 featured author in the Ninth Book of Junior Authors & Illustrators; 2005 Capitol Choices; Noteworthy Books for Children; 2004 Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best Book; 2004 Texas Lone Star Award for Top Ten Books; 2002, 2004 Coretta Scott King Honor Award; Pennsylvania Council of the Arts Grant; 2004 Bank Street Best of the Year; 2004 Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book; 2004 CCBC Choices; Booklist Top Ten Fantasy Book; 2004 Booklist Top Ten Romance Novels for Youth; 2004 Booklist Editor's Choice Award; 2003 Detroit Free LIbrary Author of the Year; 1999 YWCA Racial Justice Award; 1999 Coretta Scott King-John Steptoe New Talent Award and more.
Flake's work appears on the Anti-Defamation League's website which stresses the use of children's literature to help educators address the problem of bullying in schools.
Flake was born in Philadelphia, PA, but has resided in Pittsburgh, PA with her daughter for many years. She is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a BA in English. For several years she was a youth counselor for a foster care agency, after which she spent 18 years working at the University of Pittsburgh in public relations. She has written numerous articles for national publications. Prior to having her first book published, she wrote for approximately 15 years.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 524 reviews
May 21, 2009
I started Money Hungry this morning because I read Begging For Change a few weeks/months ago. I wasn't aware at the time that BFC was the sequel to MH. This is an extremely fast book to read. It took me about an hour. I would hand this to a kid that is reluctant to read in a second.
I think Flake does a great job of portraying Raspberry and her mother, along with the girls friends. I remember similiar feelings from my young teen years even though I didn't have the same problems as Raspberry has in this book.
The description on the back of the book says that "readers will recognize themselves" in the book and that's true. However small the part will be, I think most people will recognize something about themselves.
Raspeberry and her mother were homeless at one time and while she knows she's lucky to have a loving mother by her side Raspberry can't forget those bad times. They aren't living in the nicest neightborhood in the world through this book and are both, in their own ways, trying to "fix things". They both go about this in different ways. Raspberry is doing anything for a buck, washing cars, cleaning houses, selling candy and pencils at her school while her mother is going to school and working hard. Raspberry has deep-rooted fears of being homeless again.
All in all, I think the author did a pretty good job and I think anything in the target audience age will like this. (A good one to have around in the classroom I think, this and Begging For Change.)
I think Flake does a great job of portraying Raspberry and her mother, along with the girls friends. I remember similiar feelings from my young teen years even though I didn't have the same problems as Raspberry has in this book.
The description on the back of the book says that "readers will recognize themselves" in the book and that's true. However small the part will be, I think most people will recognize something about themselves.
Raspeberry and her mother were homeless at one time and while she knows she's lucky to have a loving mother by her side Raspberry can't forget those bad times. They aren't living in the nicest neightborhood in the world through this book and are both, in their own ways, trying to "fix things". They both go about this in different ways. Raspberry is doing anything for a buck, washing cars, cleaning houses, selling candy and pencils at her school while her mother is going to school and working hard. Raspberry has deep-rooted fears of being homeless again.
All in all, I think the author did a pretty good job and I think anything in the target audience age will like this. (A good one to have around in the classroom I think, this and Begging For Change.)
November 14, 2011
“Money Hungry” by Sharon G. Flake is a novel about a girl named Raspberry who lives in the projects with her mother. Raspberry is addicted to making money because she does not want to live on the streets again, and sells items at school or cleans houses for some extra cash. She also finds out that her mother is dating her best friend’s father, who happens to be a doctor. Things take a turn for the worse when there is a break it at their apartment, forcing them to have to live on the streets, and Raspberry wonders if things will ever work out. The strongest aspect of this book is the character of Raspberry. The novel is told in first person, so we can clearly hear Raspberry’s voice through her thoughts and dialogue. The most prominent trait of her character is her “money hungry” ways. The reason for this is to stay off the streets, but also, “…if you got money, people can’t take stuff from you – not your house, or your ride, not your family” (25). Through Raspberry, we also see her perspective on her friends. Jan’ae has issues with her mother being absent in her life, Mai is ashamed of her mixed race, and Zora is still coping with her parents’ divorce. The characterization in this novel is excellent, because the reader understood each character’s problem and how they felt towards it. As a writer, this novel helped me improve my dialogue. The voice of each character is very truthful and realistic, which is extremely important in a novel.
April 13, 2013
Lexile Range: 650L
Book Review: Once again, Sharon Flake has written another phenominal novel. "Money Hungry" teaches a lesson to everyone, "money cannot buy happiness, but family and friends can." This book connects to teenagers and even adults. I recommend this book to teenagers 13+.
Plot Summary: Thirteen year old, Rasberry and her mother live together in a house in the "projects." At school, Rasberry always gets bullied for being poor, but her three bestfriends, Zora, Ja'nae, and Mai always stay by her side. Rasberry is "money hungry", and will do whatever it takes to get money. She has over $600 stored under her matresses and in her drawers for savings. She would clean other peoples' houses and even steal from Ja'nae to get money. One day, Ja'nae's granddad read her diary, and saw that Rasberry was the one who had stolen his money. Rasberry's mother became so livid that she threw all of Rasberry's money out the window. A couple of weeks later, their house got robbed. Rasberry and her mother were back on the streets and had to break in a house to sleep. Zora's father offered them to stay with him and Zora for a while, but Zora did'nt like the idea at all since thought Rasberry's mother was trying to take the place of her mother. Then, Rasberry got a job washing cars with Odd Job, and he tells them a place where they can stay. They fix up the house and make it look like a home. At the end of the book, Rasberry realizes that all the money in the world could'nt buy her happiness.
Book Review: Once again, Sharon Flake has written another phenominal novel. "Money Hungry" teaches a lesson to everyone, "money cannot buy happiness, but family and friends can." This book connects to teenagers and even adults. I recommend this book to teenagers 13+.
Plot Summary: Thirteen year old, Rasberry and her mother live together in a house in the "projects." At school, Rasberry always gets bullied for being poor, but her three bestfriends, Zora, Ja'nae, and Mai always stay by her side. Rasberry is "money hungry", and will do whatever it takes to get money. She has over $600 stored under her matresses and in her drawers for savings. She would clean other peoples' houses and even steal from Ja'nae to get money. One day, Ja'nae's granddad read her diary, and saw that Rasberry was the one who had stolen his money. Rasberry's mother became so livid that she threw all of Rasberry's money out the window. A couple of weeks later, their house got robbed. Rasberry and her mother were back on the streets and had to break in a house to sleep. Zora's father offered them to stay with him and Zora for a while, but Zora did'nt like the idea at all since thought Rasberry's mother was trying to take the place of her mother. Then, Rasberry got a job washing cars with Odd Job, and he tells them a place where they can stay. They fix up the house and make it look like a home. At the end of the book, Rasberry realizes that all the money in the world could'nt buy her happiness.
April 14, 2009
A Thirteen Year old girl, named Raspberry, is always starving – but not for food - for money. Everyday, all she loves to do is talk about money and will do anything, even the most dangerous things to get it, for money. Raspberry gets to go to school and meet new friends but all her yapping about money is just giving her friends a headache. In the book Money Hungry you’ll see how deep a 13 year old can go for money and all of the troubles it’ll end up causing her, but we don’t know who is right - her or her friends.
. Raspberry doesn’t know what is important, friends or money or should trust play the lead in the role like when her friend asks her for 200 dollars. What Will She DEcide
This is another book by sharon G flake a GREAT author...
What I dint like about this book is that it dosent include much setting like her surroundings and stuff.
Find it in the other sharon books I recommend it !
. Raspberry doesn’t know what is important, friends or money or should trust play the lead in the role like when her friend asks her for 200 dollars. What Will She DEcide
This is another book by sharon G flake a GREAT author...
What I dint like about this book is that it dosent include much setting like her surroundings and stuff.
Find it in the other sharon books I recommend it !
April 25, 2009
"Money Hungry" is about a thirteen year old named Raspberry Hill. She lives in the projects with her mom and they are in a financial struggle - they used to live on the street. Rasperry is always going on and on about how much she wants money, but it's understandable because of how she fears going back on the street without shelter, food, and all those other neccesities.
I thought this was a decent book. I didn't really particularly love it, but the message that it sends is really important. The reason I came across this book is because we were reading it as part of an Economics lesson in our class - maybe if I had read it outside of school I would've enjoyed it more, but who knows.
I thought this was a decent book. I didn't really particularly love it, but the message that it sends is really important. The reason I came across this book is because we were reading it as part of an Economics lesson in our class - maybe if I had read it outside of school I would've enjoyed it more, but who knows.
March 4, 2016
It was a very good and interesting. Their is a girl whoś name is Rasberry and she is obsessed with money so she works for it. A kid in her school got sick and everybody thought that it was cause of her candy they. The principal send home a letter saying ¨Your daughter can´t sell anymore of her treats at school 5 kids have complained.¨ So raspberry started cleaning houses her friend Zora owes her $200 that she stole from her dad. Then Raspberry mom told Rasberry if she stole money, Rasberry started to tell Rasberryś mom that she didn´t do it, she didn´t listen and she threw all of her money out the window. Then she figured out she didn't do it.
May 26, 2009
The author of this book Sharon Flake is really good at showing more then one point of view from her characters. You can see the comparison from the older generation to the new generation.
I really connected to the main character Raspberry because she is always hustling in the streets and saving money. I know quite a few people that's like that!
Personally, I would recommend this book to my bestfriend Jabari because he always likes to think of ways not to spend his money. Also, he askes his self "If i don't spend this I could use it to buy this !"
I really connected to the main character Raspberry because she is always hustling in the streets and saving money. I know quite a few people that's like that!
Personally, I would recommend this book to my bestfriend Jabari because he always likes to think of ways not to spend his money. Also, he askes his self "If i don't spend this I could use it to buy this !"
November 3, 2011
Money Hungry is a book about a young girl named Raspberry who is obsessed with making money. Her fear of being forced to live on the streets drive her to do whatever it takes to make a few dollars, from selling candy and washing cars to cleaning houses. She struggles to balance her money making habits with her school and social life. This book was eye opening. It really helped me see what it might be like to live in a rough neighborhood with a constant fear of living on the streets. However, I did not like the flow of the writing.
June 14, 2017
Addresses racism, poverty, bullying. Well written, down to earth.
August 5, 2025
Read in one sitting. This story gripped me from the first page and wouldn't let go. My heart goes out to Raspberry and her fear of becoming homeless once again. The trauma of not having a stable place causes her to hoard money and do whatever she needs to in order to acquire more.
As someone who's dealt unstable living conditions at one point in my life as a child, I really resonated with Raspberry and her emotions. I feel the adults in her life could have done better for her.
I will be checking out the sequel and hoping for a happy ending for Raspberry.
As someone who's dealt unstable living conditions at one point in my life as a child, I really resonated with Raspberry and her emotions. I feel the adults in her life could have done better for her.
I will be checking out the sequel and hoping for a happy ending for Raspberry.
February 27, 2026
Review of “Money Hungry
By Sharon G. Flake
“Money Hungry” by Sharon G. Flake is an interesting read about a thirteen year old girl named Raspberry, who is obsessed with making money. The book delves into Raspberry's motivations, where she explains her deep-rooted fear of poverty and wanting to protect herself and her mother. The author artfully presents Raspberry's complex character, showing her determination and resourcefulness, along with her flaws and vulnerabilities. This was a very life-like, interesting read.
When reading this book I honestly thought Rasberry was just a little greedy, and just hungry for some change. But once I read further into the book I realized it was deeper than that. Raspberry had some childhood trauma with her and her mom jumping from friend's house to friend's house never feeling wanted, living in a broken down van and even in the cold streets. The quote “You gotta sell a lot of pencils and skip a lot of lunches to make that kinda dough. But its worth it, ‘cause if you got money, people can't take stuff from you-not your house, or your ride, not your family. They can't do anything much to you, if you got a bankroll backing you up” from the book, justified the way that Rasberry thinks. As long as she is making extra cash for her and her mom no matter what happens she'll be there to save them. But this also gets Raspberry in a lot of trouble throughout the story. Her peers at school can't stand her because of how money hungry she is and her mom doesn't appreciate her selling things at school, she's always receiving calls about raspberry. I feel like this story can compare to a lot of kids' lives, even mine. Not entirely but having a job makes me feel better just in case my family needs help.
The story held my interest from beginning to end, resonating with a rare sense of realism. I'd say this book is best for kids my age, and especially for the people who have trouble picking up a book and actually reading and following along with the story. It's hard for me to stay interested in a book but I've realized when the book is a bit more on the real life but not corny side I am able to follow through the story.
By Sharon G. Flake
“Money Hungry” by Sharon G. Flake is an interesting read about a thirteen year old girl named Raspberry, who is obsessed with making money. The book delves into Raspberry's motivations, where she explains her deep-rooted fear of poverty and wanting to protect herself and her mother. The author artfully presents Raspberry's complex character, showing her determination and resourcefulness, along with her flaws and vulnerabilities. This was a very life-like, interesting read.
When reading this book I honestly thought Rasberry was just a little greedy, and just hungry for some change. But once I read further into the book I realized it was deeper than that. Raspberry had some childhood trauma with her and her mom jumping from friend's house to friend's house never feeling wanted, living in a broken down van and even in the cold streets. The quote “You gotta sell a lot of pencils and skip a lot of lunches to make that kinda dough. But its worth it, ‘cause if you got money, people can't take stuff from you-not your house, or your ride, not your family. They can't do anything much to you, if you got a bankroll backing you up” from the book, justified the way that Rasberry thinks. As long as she is making extra cash for her and her mom no matter what happens she'll be there to save them. But this also gets Raspberry in a lot of trouble throughout the story. Her peers at school can't stand her because of how money hungry she is and her mom doesn't appreciate her selling things at school, she's always receiving calls about raspberry. I feel like this story can compare to a lot of kids' lives, even mine. Not entirely but having a job makes me feel better just in case my family needs help.
The story held my interest from beginning to end, resonating with a rare sense of realism. I'd say this book is best for kids my age, and especially for the people who have trouble picking up a book and actually reading and following along with the story. It's hard for me to stay interested in a book but I've realized when the book is a bit more on the real life but not corny side I am able to follow through the story.
December 6, 2017
the book was awesome , because I like at the end how they was going to get the house.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2025
Quick read and s ride through a life I know nothing about, thankfully
March 10, 2015
The theme of the story “Money Hungry” by “Sharon G. Flake” is about a girl who likes to steal money just for fun, she would steal from the store also from her mom and siblings. Also I got confused because I thought the book was about a guy who steals money from people, but no its about a girl who steals people’s money. So I was wrong its girl not a boy after that, I was reading through a book and I realized that the girl was barely thirteen years old I thought she was like twenty, but no I was wrong again. I recommend this book to my classmates because it’s a good book to read and it is entertaining for everyone. The book “ Money Hungry “ I love how the author wrote the book and also the writing and grammar. Also the girl in the book is like a kind of girl that will get mad fast and then will just start stealing stuff from anyone near him. So in the story she would go rampage if anyone got her mad, I noticed that like in the middle of the book.
Well what I was saying was that she gets mad easily because it says in the book “Hey im going to steal all your money just cause you got me mad! So there is the proof of the evidence that she gets mad easily. Moving on to another part of the story I wanted to tell you something about this book I just don’t like that it is a short book i wish it was longer. Also they make the story go by too fast they should put more action in to it like other books. After i read the first 5 chapters i realized that when she steals money she always wants more and more so now if she steals she won’t stop until someone tells her to stop. Also her mom can’t control she gets crazy if you tell her something and everyday she comes back like at 2:00 AM in the morning. What i like about the mom is that she tries and tries to change her but it won’t work cause she is too crazy.
Well what I was saying was that she gets mad easily because it says in the book “Hey im going to steal all your money just cause you got me mad! So there is the proof of the evidence that she gets mad easily. Moving on to another part of the story I wanted to tell you something about this book I just don’t like that it is a short book i wish it was longer. Also they make the story go by too fast they should put more action in to it like other books. After i read the first 5 chapters i realized that when she steals money she always wants more and more so now if she steals she won’t stop until someone tells her to stop. Also her mom can’t control she gets crazy if you tell her something and everyday she comes back like at 2:00 AM in the morning. What i like about the mom is that she tries and tries to change her but it won’t work cause she is too crazy.
April 11, 2012
In this book “Money Hungry”. Raspberry an 13 year old girl that is from the Projects, has nothing but big dream ands goals. Raspberry got her name because of the red hair that she inherited from her father. She loved to keep her time occupied to keep her from going under so much stress when she gets home. Although, she is not that fortunate she does try to save up her money so that one day she can leave the hood with her mom, and live the life that she always dreamed of. It’s not as easy as you think.
Raspberry is a smart girl and pays somewhat attention to the boys that are around here, but not that much. She works, she works, and works. She sells rotten candy at school, washes cars in her local area, clean her neighbor’s house, and run home to count her stash and smell it. She didn’t hang out much with friends, because she was “Money Hungry”. She had no close friends that she trust because to her money was her best friend. Her mother on the other hand was working, and had to make ends meet so that they could have a roof over their head and food on the table to eat.
Seems so good at first, will Raspberry she didn’t just life “Money Hungry” in the projects. She has gone from leaving in the streets with her mom. In the night, cold in a car with little to eat. Her father hasn’t been there for her whole life. How could she feel remorse for him when he finally decides to come around? She lends money to a friend for an emergency, but was she lying about that? Did she mistrust that she would believe that a person would try to take the only thing that meant the most to her.
A story of greed that can lead to misfortune and forgiveness that has to be read.
Raspberry is a smart girl and pays somewhat attention to the boys that are around here, but not that much. She works, she works, and works. She sells rotten candy at school, washes cars in her local area, clean her neighbor’s house, and run home to count her stash and smell it. She didn’t hang out much with friends, because she was “Money Hungry”. She had no close friends that she trust because to her money was her best friend. Her mother on the other hand was working, and had to make ends meet so that they could have a roof over their head and food on the table to eat.
Seems so good at first, will Raspberry she didn’t just life “Money Hungry” in the projects. She has gone from leaving in the streets with her mom. In the night, cold in a car with little to eat. Her father hasn’t been there for her whole life. How could she feel remorse for him when he finally decides to come around? She lends money to a friend for an emergency, but was she lying about that? Did she mistrust that she would believe that a person would try to take the only thing that meant the most to her.
A story of greed that can lead to misfortune and forgiveness that has to be read.
July 10, 2016
Flake, S.G. (2001). Money hungry. New York: Scholastic
This book is intended for the age group 8 to 12 years old; Lexile 650.
Sharon G. Flake gives us 13-year-old Raspberry and her unfortunate circumstances surrounding money. Raspberry and her mother have experienced just about everything imaginable from homelessness, greed, and being victims of a home burglary. In an effort to never return back to being homeless, Raspberry takes on many jobs from selling items at school to cleaning. One of her most profitable jobs was working at a car wash, where she made $100 a week. Raspberry saved her money and kept her money in just about every safe place in her room. Money had a powerful message in this book as it symbolized happiness and issues in Raspberry's world.
The main characters: Raspberry Hill, Mom, Zora, Mia, Sato, Ja'Nae, and Dr. Mitchell.
Sharon G. Flake gives the reader a few themes to include friendship, perseverance, setting goals, and homelessness.
I thought that this book was an excellent and interested read. I am looking forward to sharing this text with my future students. I believe an important message to share with students would be money can't buy happiness but family and friends can. As an assignment I'd like to have my students write an essay addressing two questions: Do you think that the government should give money to homeless people? and Have you done volunteer work in your community?
This book is intended for the age group 8 to 12 years old; Lexile 650.
Sharon G. Flake gives us 13-year-old Raspberry and her unfortunate circumstances surrounding money. Raspberry and her mother have experienced just about everything imaginable from homelessness, greed, and being victims of a home burglary. In an effort to never return back to being homeless, Raspberry takes on many jobs from selling items at school to cleaning. One of her most profitable jobs was working at a car wash, where she made $100 a week. Raspberry saved her money and kept her money in just about every safe place in her room. Money had a powerful message in this book as it symbolized happiness and issues in Raspberry's world.
The main characters: Raspberry Hill, Mom, Zora, Mia, Sato, Ja'Nae, and Dr. Mitchell.
Sharon G. Flake gives the reader a few themes to include friendship, perseverance, setting goals, and homelessness.
I thought that this book was an excellent and interested read. I am looking forward to sharing this text with my future students. I believe an important message to share with students would be money can't buy happiness but family and friends can. As an assignment I'd like to have my students write an essay addressing two questions: Do you think that the government should give money to homeless people? and Have you done volunteer work in your community?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 1, 2014
This children’s novel is about a thirteen-year old girl, Raspberry Hill who is always trying to make money and save money. She is always explained as thirsting for money and called a greedy person. Raspberry will do anything, even illegal acts, to get the money such as: car washes, clean houses, and sell rotten candy to classmates. Raspberry is determined to help her and her mother to not be homeless again. Throughout her mother’s relationship with a wealthy Doctor, her mother had an opportunity to live in Section 8, which would move them up; however, their apartment gets robbed and they are forced out of their new home by wealthier folk. Will Raspberry do everything in her power to keep things normal? Main themes include: money, family, and truth.
I would teach this book in a classroom by giving statistics about the environment around the school and how many families are living on the streets. I would even ask if their family having a hard time having enough food for dinner has personally affected them. As a class, they can even take action by having food drives for homeless facilities and help families get out of poverty.
I would teach this book in a classroom by giving statistics about the environment around the school and how many families are living on the streets. I would even ask if their family having a hard time having enough food for dinner has personally affected them. As a class, they can even take action by having food drives for homeless facilities and help families get out of poverty.
December 9, 2014
Money Hungry is about Raspberry Hill, a 13 year old girl. Growing up she lived in the projects. She doesn't talk to her dad and her mom works constantly to support her daughter the best way she can. Although Raspberry is very young she has experienced homelessness and going without meals. Raspberry's biggest fear was being homeless again so she made it her personal goal never to be in that situation again. She sells items, cleans buildings, and many other things. Her friends don't really understand why she is so "Money Hungry". This book takes the readers through an unforgettable journey. The themes of this book are poverty and fear. A teacher could use this book to discuss homelessness and poverty. A great lesson plan that teachers could use is to have the students to create a budget with various monthly earnings. Teachers should split students to get into groups of 4-5 students and give them a dollar amount of a family earning that's in the lower middle class and poverty class. The students will then plan out the monthly budget such as bills, transportation, food, and other important stuff.
June 12, 2015
This book was poignant at times, and would probably be a comfort to kids to see some of their struggles represented here.
I did, however, find it difficult to keep track of all of her different friends and enemies-each character (minus Raspberry-love the name, BTW) wasn't developed enough to remember who they were when they popped up.
I also felt like the ending was hopeful, but because nothing seemed to really be solved about their ability to keep money, it felt like it was false hope, that the cycle was just going to start again. It was a little discouraging, therefore, to see the sequel-one year later-Begging for Change.
I did, however, find it difficult to keep track of all of her different friends and enemies-each character (minus Raspberry-love the name, BTW) wasn't developed enough to remember who they were when they popped up.
I also felt like the ending was hopeful, but because nothing seemed to really be solved about their ability to keep money, it felt like it was false hope, that the cycle was just going to start again. It was a little discouraging, therefore, to see the sequel-one year later-Begging for Change.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2020
Although this wasn't a favorite of mine personally, I would recommend this to any reluctant reader. Each chapter is only about 8 pages so it's easy to get through. The dialogue has a real feel to it which I think is appealing to teenagers, specifically. In my experience, what takes place in Money Hungry made me, as a reader, think and feel about the characters as well as reflect on my own life, which is exactly what stories are supposed to do.
November 5, 2014
This book was a very catching book I was really surprised how a girl stole 200 dollars from her grandpa. Her friend had enough to pay her grandpa back. I really liked this book because it showed money dosen’t buy everything. I really thought this book was kinda funny how boys peed on the carpet. I thought this book was a really good book I really consider this book.
November 8, 2007
this is the greatest book writen by Sharon G. Flake it talks about this gurl raspberry whom is almost up 4 anything to get her hands on money to rent this new apartment.
Read
March 19, 2008i read this book and so far i learned that the key to happiness isnt trough money but through friendship and wisdom
January 13, 2010
I think this book is great for middle schoolers. I like Sharon Flake, but sometimes her use of teenage slang dialect is too much for this old lady.
April 8, 2014
A very quick read with a good storyline. The main character Raspberry is easily to relate with in some situations
February 29, 2016
cant wait to read the second book
October 3, 2026
I started this book to get back into the flow of reading because it is short, large print, and juvenile. The themes and topics presented in this book is a deep reality. It touches on many sociological issues such as growing up in divorced and single parent households. Financial strain is evident by the status of Raspberry’s neighborhood, the stench in the halls, the obsession she has for obtaining money, the fear, and nightmares she has of spending money. She dreams of having shopping cart full of money, but everyone turns there nose up, and says it is not good enough or it is not enough. Isn’t this the essence or source of greed? Lack. Lack that defines what you have, what you can do, what you can achieve, how you are seen amongst people. On the surface this book appears to be about Raspberry grappling with trauma from living on the street, but you see that all her friends are hungry for something. Money is the most tangible, therefore we can easily picture the need for money and the survival instinct that Raspberry has. Mai is hungry for acceptance due to rejection and bullying from her peers. She is different, and she struggles with not having a defined identity. But she is blind to the fact she has housing and two parents happily married who love each other and can take care of her and her brother Ming. Zora is hungry for a stable parent household, she struggles with her parent’s divorce and hates to see her dad and Ms.Hill together. But she is blind to the fact that she has parents who are wealthy, she has closets full of clothes and rows of shoes. When she ask for money it’s to obtain a new pair of shoes. Janae has neither of her parents, but only her grandparents. She only wishes to be with her mother, the only parent she can reach, but her mom cannot properly take care of her. She is bigger than the other girls and is teased for size, and overcompensates with perfume. This is all to say the topics discussed in this book are heavy and I still haven’t pieced together all of it. I can only hope that Raspberry and Ms. Hill obtain the house on section 8 with the help of the lawyer. I hope the house Odd Job provided is decorated to feel like a home. I hope Raspberry won’t need to obsess about money, and can live a normal no scratch that, what is normal? I hope Raspberry can be a 13 year old who concerns herself with the adventures that come with being a 13 year old girl.
Takeaways: People are all hungry for something that was born out of lack. People also have an abundance, a cup overflowing with something that another person is hungry for. Recognize the need, the hunger. Recognize the need and hunger from others. Look around and you’ ll see that you have a whole lot more than you think you do. Use what you do have to peck down at your hunger until you become full, satiated.
Books never end the way I want them to, even if I don’t know what that end is myself. I often want to feel complete, but more times than not I’m left wondering where is the big happy ending. Book endings feel like hallways, transitions to the next event.
Takeaways: People are all hungry for something that was born out of lack. People also have an abundance, a cup overflowing with something that another person is hungry for. Recognize the need, the hunger. Recognize the need and hunger from others. Look around and you’ ll see that you have a whole lot more than you think you do. Use what you do have to peck down at your hunger until you become full, satiated.
Books never end the way I want them to, even if I don’t know what that end is myself. I often want to feel complete, but more times than not I’m left wondering where is the big happy ending. Book endings feel like hallways, transitions to the next event.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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September 22, 2017Money Hungry isn't an ordinary realistic fiction. It all starts with a 13-year-old girl named Raspberry. She is very poor and lives in the projects. You may think that she is just poor to the point that she can't afford the things she wants. Wrong, she lives in a car in a junkyard with her Mom and nobody helps her. Her Dad is a bum and doesn't really care about her. All she has is her Mom and herself. Raspberry loves money and hates the fact that she is poor and lives in a bad place. She goes to school every day selling pencils, candy, or even paper clips. She would take anything that is money. The principle doesn't like her selling things and she always gets in trouble for it. She saves all the money that she makes from selling things and hopes that money can get her and her mom out of the projects. Her mom finds all of the money thinking that she stole it. She throws all the money out of the window trying to wake her up. They get broken into and lost everything. Luckily Raspberry's friend let them stay at their house they lived happily. They all became a family and lived on.
I think this book is amazing and is the best realistic fiction I have ever read. Usually, when I read a realistic fiction it's boring and has no action. This one was full of action and had my eyes on the book a long time. It really shows that things like this can happen and it's bad. Poverty is a horrible thing and no one should be to the point where they don't have a home. Raspberry was very obligated to save her money so that she can get out of the projects. She and her mom worked very hard and didn't receive what they have worked for. I love how the end of the book it was all good and everything was okay. I really liked this book and it is one of the best realistic fiction books.
Overall this book is a very good book and I would recommend it to all of my friends. It was very realistic and had a realistic ending. It's kinda sad in the middle of the book and almost in the end but it all got better. It really shows in real life that it can get really bad but it can get better. It can get better either trying or just pure luck. Out of all the books I have read I recommend anyone to read this one.
I think this book is amazing and is the best realistic fiction I have ever read. Usually, when I read a realistic fiction it's boring and has no action. This one was full of action and had my eyes on the book a long time. It really shows that things like this can happen and it's bad. Poverty is a horrible thing and no one should be to the point where they don't have a home. Raspberry was very obligated to save her money so that she can get out of the projects. She and her mom worked very hard and didn't receive what they have worked for. I love how the end of the book it was all good and everything was okay. I really liked this book and it is one of the best realistic fiction books.
Overall this book is a very good book and I would recommend it to all of my friends. It was very realistic and had a realistic ending. It's kinda sad in the middle of the book and almost in the end but it all got better. It really shows in real life that it can get really bad but it can get better. It can get better either trying or just pure luck. Out of all the books I have read I recommend anyone to read this one.
November 4, 2018
Title: Money Hungry
Author: Sharon G. Flake
Date of publication: May 21, 2001
This book is about a girl named Raspberry Hill. Raspberry is always looking for ways to make money and she doesn’t care how it’s made either she sells old candy, pencils, chips at school. Cleans people's homes washes cars. All that because she is afraid of her and her mother being homeless again. She has saved up all this money. But one day her mother gets a phone call from her friend ja’nae’s grandfather. He said that Raspberry had stolen money from ja’nae but come to find out he had the wrong information. But Raspberry’s mom didn’t find that out until she had thrown out most of Raspberry’s money out the window. Their home gets broken into the next day after Raspberry’s mother had thrown out all that money. They took everything so Raspberry’s mother said they had to move because someone would break in again. They end up back on the streets for a bit. Raspberry is supposed to be at school but she goes to this man Odd Jobs car wash to help him wash cars so she can make so money. She’s talking to Odd Job about what happened and he’s telling her that he has someplace for her and her mother to live. Raspberry tells her mother that Odd Job has some places for them to live so there not on the streets again.
Author: Sharon G. Flake
Date of publication: May 21, 2001
This book is about a girl named Raspberry Hill. Raspberry is always looking for ways to make money and she doesn’t care how it’s made either she sells old candy, pencils, chips at school. Cleans people's homes washes cars. All that because she is afraid of her and her mother being homeless again. She has saved up all this money. But one day her mother gets a phone call from her friend ja’nae’s grandfather. He said that Raspberry had stolen money from ja’nae but come to find out he had the wrong information. But Raspberry’s mom didn’t find that out until she had thrown out most of Raspberry’s money out the window. Their home gets broken into the next day after Raspberry’s mother had thrown out all that money. They took everything so Raspberry’s mother said they had to move because someone would break in again. They end up back on the streets for a bit. Raspberry is supposed to be at school but she goes to this man Odd Jobs car wash to help him wash cars so she can make so money. She’s talking to Odd Job about what happened and he’s telling her that he has someplace for her and her mother to live. Raspberry tells her mother that Odd Job has some places for them to live so there not on the streets again.
October 31, 2019
Money Hungry by Sharon F. Flake is a heart to heart, yet comedic novel. Thirteen year old Raspberry Hill is a very big fan of money, but not sharing it. She sells old candy’s at school, pencils, and even gets her friends to help her clean elderly peoples houses to make some money. Her and her Mother have struggled when it comes to money and don’t live in the safest neighborhood which makes Raspberry’s thirst for money even worse.
I really enjoyed this book because the author did a great job with making the novel sound like it’s in the place of a young teenager and that really attracted me to it considering I’m a highschool student myself. The novel also ends in such a way that it gives Raspberry hope as well the reader because you become so consumed by the whole story. Raspberry’s Mom find a new job and gets a new boyfriend and Raspberry questions him on if he really loves her Mom or not. And he convinces her that he truly does. They end up being offered a home to live in by a man called Odd Job and they are given a glimmer of hope for themselves.
Overall, this was a very enjoyable book to read. It kept me waiting to know more and never wanting to put the book down. It had a good sense of humor throughout the whole novel but also kept the reader hooked with real life detailed experiences.
I really enjoyed this book because the author did a great job with making the novel sound like it’s in the place of a young teenager and that really attracted me to it considering I’m a highschool student myself. The novel also ends in such a way that it gives Raspberry hope as well the reader because you become so consumed by the whole story. Raspberry’s Mom find a new job and gets a new boyfriend and Raspberry questions him on if he really loves her Mom or not. And he convinces her that he truly does. They end up being offered a home to live in by a man called Odd Job and they are given a glimmer of hope for themselves.
Overall, this was a very enjoyable book to read. It kept me waiting to know more and never wanting to put the book down. It had a good sense of humor throughout the whole novel but also kept the reader hooked with real life detailed experiences.
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