Does anyone know of any books about a child put in an adult situation and having to fend for themselves?

Question

The book needs to be for adults, not children and needs to be fairly mature. The adult situation could be basically anything really; from living in an abusive household to other things.

Would really appreciate any ideas and thanks heaps in advance :D

Answer 1

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

The classic novel of a group of boys who are marooned on an island. They create a struggle for power amongst themselves resulting in frightening, not to mention tragic, results.

Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison

While it is not the story of a child, it mirrors the helplessness and innocence that would be associated with one. The main character, who remains nameless, is forced to struggle on his own after being kicked out of college.

Answer 2

Lord of the Flies by William Golding.............

Answer 3

The only one i can think of is A Child Called It

hope that helps some...

Answer 4

White Oleander by Janet Fitch. Basically mother kills boyfriend and her child is put into numerous foster homes and the mother taunts her daughter from prison. Girl grows up in the fostercare system. Really good read.  

Answer 5

Escape by carolyn jessop. its one of the most fascinating true stories i have ever read about being a child bride and  being forced to live in a plural wife house hold. Even if it's not what you are looking for for this question you should definitely read it. Its so good.

Answer 6

i kind of read one like it its a love story but before that starts she is living with her mother who's a drunk and the she abandons her (the kid's name is ruby and shes 17) but then she goes and lives with her sister but it still goes back to her past there's alchol and drugs in it to o and s*x so... its called Lock And Key by Sarah Dessen

And another one of hers if called Dreamland its about this girl that's in an abusive situation with her boyfriend and that has drugs in it to

i like them both

there's also the series The Child Called It which i read to i cried the whole time and its really about his like growing up in an abusive household

hope that helps

Answer 7

isn't the Bridge to Taribithia one? kid lives in an abusive household so he escapes to Taribithia, makes friends with a girl who dies right in front of him.  

Answer 8

Lord of the Flies by William Golding is definitely the classic for this.

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card was written for adults, and even though Ender is in a school, in some ways he's very much fending for himself.

Ragged d**k and many of Horatio Alger's other books are about poor boys who have to make their own way in the world and get rich.

Answer 9

   I definitely second the other poster who recommended White Oleander.  It's definitely for adults, even though it follows the main character through her teenage years.

   Definitely try this book!