Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

Father and charming handyman extraordinaire, Rex Walls is also an argumentative alcoholic who can't keep a job. Mother and artist, Rose Mary Walls puts herself and her art first, especially before the welfare of the family. From Jeannette's toddler years and on, her family moves around a lot, often doing the "skedaddle" in the middle of the night. Frequently going without food, supervision, and any sort of bathroom facilities, Jeannette and her siblings are left to fend for themselves, shunned and labeled "dirty urchins" by townspeople and classmates alike. But Jeannette's story takes a positive turn once she leaves her depressing home for New York City.

The Glass Castle is a page-turner, with the reader wondering how things will turn out for Jeannette and all her siblings after perpetual family dysfunction. The tone throughout the book clearly shows how much Jeannette loves her family, but that love is not enough to save everyone close to her. Despite the frequent downward spiral of Jeannette's parents, this memoir is ultimately uplifting, showing how resourcefulness, a determined attitude, and hard work can result in positive changes in one's own life.

Now a major motion picture. Check out the movie version from the library later this year.