Ellen Foster discussion

I really enjoyed Ellen Foster by Kaye Gibbons. I typically struggle with books like this. The mother in me can’t handle stories where children are mistreated and my anxiety is easily triggered by them. However, I think I found Ellen Foster easier to swallow because of the shifts in time. You know that Ellen will end up with her “new momma” and eventually be safe, and I think that provided some comfort for me. The opening line sets the stage for the entire story, “When I was little, I would think of ways to kill my daddy. I’d figure out this way or that way and run it down through my head until it got easy.” I think this is how Ellen copes through the majority of the story, running all of the things through her head until it gets easy. Many of the reviews cite Ellen as a “strong” child, but I wonder whether Ellen would describe herself that way. Instead, I think she just plays the cards she has and works with an understanding that her life isn’t fair but she can’t do much about it. She replays certain things over and over, perhaps to make those easy to bear too.

Though I liked the book, I’m not sure I understand this as a YA novel. I don’t see a story that appeals to teens or young adult readers or a story that was written with them in mind. I’m curious if anyone sees something I’m missing in this text that would appeal to young adults.