54 pages • 1 hour read
Kaye GibbonsEllen Foster
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1987A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In Ellen Foster, by Kaye Gibbons, a resilient young girl named Ellen navigates a tumultuous life in the American South, enduring and overcoming familial abuse and neglect to ultimately find solace and stability in a loving foster home. Sensitive topics include domestic violence, child sexual assault, psychological abuse, child neglect, suicide, and racial prejudice.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Kaye Gibbons' Ellen Foster has received praise for its compelling voice and portrayal of resilience in the face of adversity. The protagonist's perspective captivates readers, though some critiques note a potentially harsh tone and underdeveloped secondary characters. Overall, it is lauded for its depth and emotional impact, despite occasional narrative limitations.
Who Should Read Ellen Foster?
Readers who enjoyed the poignant storytelling in The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd or the resilience found in The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls will be drawn to Ellen Foster by Kaye Gibbons. This novel appeals to those who appreciate narratives of personal growth and overcoming adversity, particularly within a Southern American context.
RecommendedReading Age
14-18yearsLexile Level
870LBook Details
Education
Modern Classic Fiction
Classic Fiction
Education
Trauma / Abuse / Violence
Race / Racism
Life/Time: Coming of Age
Emotions/Behavior: Conflict
Emotions/Behavior: Courage