The main character, a girl who grew up in the story, was funny, sad, smart and quite inspiring. Poor most of the time, she made it through many bizarre situations like having to act like she came back from the dead to get attention and donations at a religious tent revival. It's hard not to stomp your feet and get angry at the adults around this young lady who did crazy and unique things to make money and take advantage of her talents. The descriptions of the Mississippi beach town were real and interesting. Her relationships were conflicted: she loved and loathed her mom and dad. She "adopted" her own family members along the way. It's also an interesting look at poverty and makes one ask, what is the real definition of rich and poor?