Ellen Foster by Kaye Gibbons

By the age of 11, Ellen has overcome more challenges than most of us would see in a life time.  Her mother chose suicide over life with her abusive husband.  Frequently abandoned by her father, hungry, invisible at school, rejected by other family members - Ellen chooses to take control of her life.  Ignoring the racial lines drawn by her small town, she welcomes the kindness of the black family down the road.  Needing a home of her own, she packs all she owns in a box and finds a way to survive.  I'm not sure if the intended audience was young adults or not but it would definitely be an encouraging tale for any young person struggling with a hard life.