Disturbing book about a girl growing up in a very abusive household.

I want to dislike this book. Like, really, really dislike it, but the end completely transforms the whole story. Obviously, I don't like the abusive step-father. What really irks me is Libby, the mother. She turns a blind eye to the abuse, and is quite abusive herself. Maybe from her lack of education, or being tired with her circumstances, maybe because she's just a horrible person. Who knows? I'm actually looking forward to reading the sequel "What Happened to my Sister" now that I've finished "Me & Emma". If you had asked me that mid way through the book, I'd have said no way, but now I'm pretty intrigued.

This was ok but I felt it could have been better if it wasn't so rushed at the end. It seemed as though so much emphasis was put on the big twist that as we got closer to it the story suffered.

Unfortunately the twist was pretty easy to spot almost from the start so that was too bad as it should have set this book apart from others it has been compared to (The Book of Ruth and Bastard Out of Carolina).

Absolutely heart-wrenching.

8 yr old. Flashbacks and "now". Father deceased. Mother with depression. Step father abusive. 6 yr old sister.

I really didn't care for this book, primarily because of the subject matter. The book is written from the perspective of an eight year old girl who is abused by her step-father, Richard. Richard also beats his wife, Carrie's emotionally absent mother. Carrie's father was killed by an intruder. Though I had some trouble discerning what was really true and what Carrie imagined, Carrie's maternal grandmother and aunt seemed to somewhat condone the abuse of their daughter/sister, as did some of the town's folk who knew what was going on. Carrie is a deeply troubled girl and that was very hard to read.

I was somewhat surprised by the ending, which I figured out only shortly before it was revealed by the author.

this book will leave you reeling. read it, share it with your friends, and discuss.

Wow! I just finished this. Book and all I can think is 'wow' ( for several reasons). This story was heartbreaking to me. But as I read I just had to know how in the world this book was going to end.
As I for closer and closer to finishing it still didn't seem like the story was ready to end. And then 'BAM' an unexpected twist that left me with my mouth wide open and myself saying WoW.
I really enjoyed this book even with the hard topic it had as a main focus in the book. I found myself so sad for these poor little girls, but loved their story, their love for one another, and their 'always there for each other'.
Overall, great book with an incredible twist!