The narrator, Ellie, shares her story of growing up in a difficult home with her mom and younger sister, Rose. After her mom's repeated mistakes and a stint in foster care, Ellie and Rose are taken in by Kate and Adam, a loving couple who eventually adopt them. Ellie struggles to adjust to her new life, feeling like a third wheel and dealing with her own emotions. However, she eventually comes to appreciate her new family and the love they offer. After Kate and Adam officially adopt Ellie and Rose, Ellie decides to take up an offer to attend a prestigious school, with the support of her new family.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The narrator's name is Elizabeth, but she prefers to be called Ellie.
2. Ellie has more than 10 siblings.
3. Ellie's mom and her little sister Rose were her world.
4. Ellie and Rose had a five-year age gap.
5. Ellie's mom was always busy with work or new business ideas.
6. Ellie's mom wasted a lot of money on failed business ideas.
7. Ellie's mom stole money from her workplace and was fired.
8. Ellie and Rose were put in a foster home because of their mom's actions.
9. Ellie was 14 years old when she and Rose were put in a foster home.
10. Rose was 9 years old when they were put in a foster home.
11. Ellie and Rose were shuffled to a couple of foster homes.
12. Ellie started some side hustles to make money to support herself and Rose.
13. Ellie and Rose were sent to a new foster home when Ellie was 15 years old.
14. The new foster family consisted of Kate and Adam and their daughter Juliana.
15. Kate was an old friend of Ellie's mom and was an interior designer.
16. Adam was a pediatrician.
17. Juliana was a couple of years younger than Ellie but older than Rose.
18. Ellie and Rose had to move in with Kate and Adam's family.
19. Ellie was extremely smart, both academically and street-smart.
20. Ellie learned things quickly.
21. Ellie's mom was taken away by security guards.
22. Ellie's mom was going to be away for some time but would do community service afterwards.
23. Ellie was angry with her mom but had to focus on taking care of Rose.
24. Ellie and Rose were sent to a new foster home when Ellie was 15 years old.
25. Kate and Adam's family were very welcoming to Ellie and Rose.
26. Ellie started working at a coffee shop to earn money.
27. Ellie's mom came to work at the coffee shop with her but stole money and was fired.
28. Ellie was also fired from the coffee shop for bringing her mom in to work.
29. Ellie was worried about her little sister Rose and felt like she was drifting away from her.
30. Ellie was offered a chance to attend a prestigious school but turned it down because she didn't want to leave Rose.
31. Ellie asked Kate and Adam to adopt Rose but not her.
32. Kate and Adam decided to adopt both Ellie and Rose.
33. Ellie was surprised and happy when Kate and Adam told her they wanted to adopt her too.
34. Ellie had a birthday party thrown by her new family.
35. Ellie was officially adopted by Kate and Adam's family after the paperwork was settled.
36. Ellie took up the offer to attend the prestigious school after her new family encouraged her to do so.