Begging for Change

Begging for Change follows Raspberry Hill, a young girl determined to escape the poverty and homelessness of her past. When a violent incident affects her mother, Raspberry's desperation leads her to steal from her best friend, triggering a profound internal conflict. The story delves into her complex relationships, particularly with her drug-addicted father and a blossoming romance, as she grapples with her identity and the consequences of her actions. This chapter book explores themes of financial hardship, family dynamics, honesty, and self-worth, offering a gritty yet hopeful look at a young person's journey to define herself amidst challenging circumstances.

Raspberry Hill, who once was homeless, vowed never to end up on the streets again. To her, money equals security. But when a troubled neighborhood teenager attacks her mother, Raspberry is desperate for things in her life to change and ends up stealing from her best friend. But nothing good comes from bad money. And as her thoughts alternate between the two men in her life-as her relationship with Sato blossoms and her relationship with her drug-addicted father erodes-Raspberry must finally confront the biggest of all her fears: is she really much different from her thieving father after all? How will her friends react when they find out what she's done? Raspberry is certain. . .something's got to change.