Well-written story about hard knocks. The main character is interesting and sympathetic, and his life is very real, despite the child's outlook. As an adult, you can see what is going on before he does, but that makes it a little thrilling. I knew boys like this, who lived similar lives. And I relished the positive influence his Special Education teachers were, and the fact that they actually helped him. I've found many in real life who had the best of intentions, but then things don't work out. It was saddening to see the other kids call this family White Trash. I'm also glad that, in the end, things didn't return to the way they used to be.

The writing was lyrical, but the whole story was just depressing.

Sometimes Jake wishes he could sprout wings and fly away from it all... Fly away from his fighting parents, from his reading problems, from worrying about his little sister... But Jake can't fly away. All he can do is try to cope with never having enough money, with a volatile father who comes home drunk sometimes... Not high on plot, this book is a snapshot of a life. I thought it was fine, but not particularly memorable.