Rosie & Skate by Beth Ann Bauman

   Another interesting book is Rosie & Skate.  It is set in New Jersey's beach and boardwalk area.  Rosie and her older sister Skate (she always skateboards everywhere) have an alcoholic father who is in jail.  Their mother died when they were very little and an aunt has come to care for them.  Needless to say, they have difficult lives and share with us their feelings, since they don't really have anyone else to share with.
   For anyone who has ever had to grow up all by themselves, especially with only one parent who is absent for any number of reasons, this book will really hit home.  The lessons they have to learn on their own about life and how to deal with a parent with substance abuse problems is very enlightening.