I found Minerva's Stepchild quite by accident while on a recent vacation. It was from a "take one-leave one" lending library. The title intrigued me and the author, Helen Forrester, was new to me.

Initially, I had trouble getting into the book and understanding the juxtaposition of past/present. At first, I thought the purpose of the book -for me- was to not finishing reading it. However, I stuck at it. In its pages I learned about Liverpool, England's response to the depression, about social orders, about the true meaning of friendship, about adult struggles as seen through chilren's eyes, and the mature understanding that comes from Helen as she matures and finds her own purpose in the world - in her world.

I'm glad I stuck with it - a very uplifting book. ( )

Sequel to 'Twopence to Cross the Mersey'. Continued autobiographical account of a family in extreme poverty in the 1930s in Liverpool. Helen is now in her mid-teens, starts work and attends evening classes. Very well-written and interesting. ( )

i wished more self respect for helen but oldest children want to be loved so badly by their parents. i actually felt sorry for her mom too. to fall is very hard. ( )

Everyone should read this moving account of poverty.

Back Cover Blurb:
The continuing story of Helen Forrester's poverty stricken childhood in Liverpool during the Depression. The Forrester family are slowly winning their fight for survival. But fourteen year old Helen's personal battle is to persuade her parents to allow her to earn her own living, to lead her own life after the years of neglect and inadequate schooling after she cared for her six younger siblings. Her untiring struggles against illness caused by severe malnutrition and dirt ( she had her first bath in four years) and, above all, the selfish demands of her parents, make this a story of amazing courage and perseverance. ( )