Ellen Foster by Kaye Gibbons

The novel is a coming-of-age story about a young girl named Ellen Foster who, after her mother's suicide and father's subsequent neglect and abuse, is shuffled between family members and foster homes. Despite the hardships she faces, including poverty and racism in the South, Ellen's remarkable resilience and determination help her to overcome her circumstances. Ultimately, she finds a loving home with a foster mother and begins to heal from her traumatic past.

The 1743rd greatest book of all time

Ranking Details:

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Total Points: 273

Since this book was first published in 1987, there is a penalty of 20.8%. The age adjusted score is 216.22.

This is to prevent newer books from reaching super high on the ranked list of the greatest books of all time. The greatest books should also stand the test of time.