Raspberry Hill loves money because of the security it brings her. Through this book Raspberry realizes that money can't bring her happiness, even though it bring her security.

Raspberry lives with her mom who has been beaten up by Shiketa, a teen-age girl in their neighborhood. while her mom is in the hospital, Raspberrys father visits which is an weird experience for her because he will steal and lie to anyone to get money for drugs. Raspberry is anxious to leave the hospital with Zora, her friend, and Zora’s dad, Dr. Mitchell, who her mom dates. while eating dinner that evening, Zora and Dr. Mitchell both leave the table. Raspberry feels like she has to look into Zora’s purse and quickly take the cash from her wallet. Raspberry doesn’t know why she took Zora’s money, but doesn’t know how to give it back.When her mom returns home from the hospital, there is tension between Shiketa’s friends and Raspberry and her mother. Raspberry spends the summer days working and hanging out with other teens in the neighborhood. Zora becomes stand offish but does not confront Raspberry about the stolen money and doesn’t tell her dad. As each day passes, Raspberry feels tension about her theft, but when the opportunity arises to steal from a neighbor lady, she takes more money. When Raspberry’s father comes to her apartment and steals her own money, Raspberry knows how Zora must feel towards her. When Zora insists that Raspberry tell Dr. Mitchell about stealing the money, Raspberry makes up a lie to tell the doctor and her mom. Raspberry begins to wonder if she is like her dad a thief and a liar.The summer passes with Zora and Raspberry not speaking, her friend, Mai, having bi-racial issues, a romance developing with Sato, another theft by her father, and a move to a nicer part of town. Raspberry has a good support system from her mom, Dr. Mitchell, and her friends but she has a love for money. It is only after she sees her dad, finally drug free, that she can admit her guilt. ( )

Good job of presenting realism in an age-appropriate way, and show the human side.

Interesting in having the mother still be around (as opposed to the total orphan).

If you like, try: Virginia Enwer Wolf - Make Lemonade, True Believer
Jacqueline Woodson - Miracle Boys, Locomotion
Joan Bauer - On the Road

Too depressing for me though. ( )

Begging For Change is the sequel to Money Hungry. Begging For Chang is about a teenager named Raspberry Hill. Raspberry is grieving the attack of her mother, by a neighborhood girl. Out of nowhere, her homeless, drug addict father shows up while she is at the hospital with her mom. Raspberry fears that without her mom she will become homeless again and be like her father. So Raspberry begins stealing money again, from those who are helping her the most, like her friend Zora. Raspberry feels that money will protect her from being homeless and will make all her problems go away. It seems the more she tries not to be like her father her stealing makes her seem more ad more like him. Raspberry’s stealing affects her relationship with her mom, dad, friends, and boyfriend. Just before Raspberry may loose what’s most important to her she realizes money doesn’t solve problems, if anything it creates problems. Raspberry decides to change her ways and be appreciate the more important things in her life.
I recommend this book to everyone, mainly teenagers. Raspberry Hill is a teenager just like me, whose is trying to figuring out what she is supposed to do with her life and overcoming obstacles. This book is very inspiring to those who are going through hard times, especially during the recession when we feel that we will do whatever to get money.
Begging For Change was written by Sharon G. Flake, and is 235 pages. ( )

this book was really good. it talks bout when you are poor to not steal from your best friend. ( )