Money Hungry

Thirteen-year-old Raspberry Hill lives with her mother in a low-income housing project and obsesses over making and saving money. After experiencing homelessness in her past, she now runs small business ventures at school and hoards every dollar she can get. Raspberry's intense focus on money creates tension with her friends and her mother, who worry about her behavior. She navigates complex relationships at school while trying to balance her entrepreneurial schemes with maintaining friendships and staying out of trouble. Her efforts to escape poverty drive her actions throughout the story, as she dreams of moving to a better neighborhood. While dealing with daily challenges in her urban environment, she learns lessons about what truly matters in life. This middle-grade novel explores themes of economic hardship, family bonds, and the true meaning of security. Through Raspberry's story, the book examines how poverty impacts young people's choices and perspectives.

Readers appreciate the authentic voice of 13-year-old Raspberry and her determination to escape poverty. Many found the portrayal of inner-city life and mother-daughter relationships resonated with their own experiences or helped them understand others' perspectives. Readers liked: - Strong character development - Realistic dialogue - Meaningful messages about money and relationships - Accessibility for middle-grade readers Common criticisms: - Some found the plot predictable - A few readers wanted more resolution at the ending - Several mentioned the pacing was slow in parts Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (3,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (180+ ratings) "The main character's voice feels genuine and her struggles are relatable," wrote one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads reviewer noted: "Perfect for teaching empathy and financial literacy to middle schoolers." Some teachers report success using it in 6th-8th grade classrooms, particularly for engaging reluctant readers.

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📚 Sharon G. Flake wrote Money Hungry based on her observations of families struggling with eviction while she worked at the University of Pittsburgh's public relations department. 🏆 The book received the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for New Talent in 2002, marking Flake's breakthrough in children's literature. 💰 The main character Raspberry's obsession with money stems from a real phenomenon called "money anxiety disorder," which often affects children who have experienced poverty or housing insecurity. 🏘️ The novel's setting in a housing project was inspired by Pittsburgh's Hill District, a historically significant African American neighborhood that has faced economic challenges since the 1950s. 📖 Money Hungry is frequently paired with its companion novel Begging for Change in school curricula to teach financial literacy and social awareness to middle-grade students.