Glass Castles was an excellent book- I would read it again and again. If you ever felt like you did not have the best childhood and thought about blaming parents for some of your failures, this is a must read. Jeannette Walls paints a picture of childhood poverty that won't be easily shaken.
And, All Souls, A Family Story from Southie is the story of Michael Patrick MacDonald's childhood growing up in South Boston during the late 60s and 70s. Unlike Jeannette's childhood his was marred not only by poverty but by violence, drugs, and alcohol that claimed the lives of several of his siblings as well as those of many of his friends.
Having grown up in poverty myself, I felt a kinship with both these authors. White poverty is somehow not seen by social workers and community activists. I have joined the ranks of Jeannette and Michael who made a better life for themselves without the help of affirmative action. When I look at my high school graduating class and see how few did "make it out". I wonder why we were not afforded the same help the minority students were provided.
