Young Adult Book

                                      Skyla Lowe 808

  It is unusual for kids to care a lot about a parent who left them at a young age. Raspberry is a young girl who lives with her mother. Raspberry's father left when she was a child and is now homeless. The book Begging for Change by Sharon G. Flake , shows the relationship between a young girl and both her parents , mainly her father.

   In the book the dad finally finds his daughter after years of searching. When the dad finds Raspberry he is very excited to see his daughter but Momma doesn't want her father to come in. " Daddy's run-over boot keeps the door from slamming shut." No matter how many times Raspberry tells him that he isn't allowed in he refuses. The dad says he only wants "...visiting rights..." Which still is wanting to enter her house and see her. The dad is so courageous that he decides to ask Raspberry "Your Momma in there?" As he peeks over Raspberry's should in suspicioun, debating if he wants to barge into her house.

   Economically the dad is having a way more difficult time then the mom to fund and support Raspberry. This inference can be said because the dad says that him and his best bud are both broke " Ain't got a penny between the two of us." This can show that the dad is trying to pursue Raspberry to give up a lil money to help him and his friend, being thats she already let her dad into the apartment disobeying her Momma's policy. Because Raspberry was so insecure about letting her father in she tries to frighten her dad by telling him "She's coming in a minute...".

  Disrespect. The dad has gotten really insecure now. He has a plan to go into Momma's room in search of a few dollars or even more. Raspberry's first idea as she began to feel hurt was to call Momma meanwhile her dad is telling her " Your Momma just gonna get mad," he said pressing the reciever down. Dad knows that Momma wi call the cops so he takes his hand and covers Raspberry's mouth. Raspberry is scared and skeptical wondering will he leave her alone if she says she does have a few bucks "... And go get him a little cash, he will leave — maybe. But if I say no, he will stay way too long, begging me for money, maybe even hurting me." Raspberry knows she did wrong by allowing him into her Momma's house with no approval.

  " 'Cause nothing good comes of bad money." This story does achieve a goal in showing how a young girl lives with her mother while her father tries to enter her life with nothing good to offer. Sharon G. Flake really gave me a good understanding by showing me both parents points of view and Raspberry's, including a couple of bystanders who were there throughout the story as the climax increased. Many teen's today sometimes go through insecturity not only with parents but also friends.