deathicey's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
1.0
I was unimpressed by "Money Hungry" by Sharon G. Flake because I was unable to empathize with any of the characters, and the overall plot fell flat, making for a rather uninteresting reading experience.
The main character's obsession with hoarding money, which lacked a compelling reason or a practical plan to better her situation, was one of the main causes of my disappointment. She simply saves the money without any specific intentions or immediate advantages, rather than using it to improve her life.
To its credit, the book does highlight how a compulsive focus on money can destroy friendships and it realistically captures the struggles of residing near poverty while perpetually fearing the possibility of being homeless.
Unfortunately, these few elements were not enough to salvage my overall impression of the book, which failed to engage me and left me wanting a more compelling narrative.
The main character's obsession with hoarding money, which lacked a compelling reason or a practical plan to better her situation, was one of the main causes of my disappointment. She simply saves the money without any specific intentions or immediate advantages, rather than using it to improve her life.
To its credit, the book does highlight how a compulsive focus on money can destroy friendships and it realistically captures the struggles of residing near poverty while perpetually fearing the possibility of being homeless.
Unfortunately, these few elements were not enough to salvage my overall impression of the book, which failed to engage me and left me wanting a more compelling narrative.
naomi41's review against another edition
4.0
The first book (prequel to Begging for Change) is Sharon G. Flake's amazing book called Money Hungry. We are able to begin the journey of Raspberry Hill, a 13 year old living in a poor neighborhood and consumed in the ideology that money is everything. Any dollar coming her way brings a glow to her face because she deeply believes that it will cure the hardships that passes by her life. Her mother and father are separated as he fell into an addiction of drugs and alcohol; lost his job, which evidently led to the period of homelessness for Raspberry and her mother. The obstacles that Raspberry has to overcome can relate to anyone at any age. I think that Sharon G. Flake does a great job of bringing reality to her audience straightforward without having to look for it. Her stories are amazing and everyone should read them!
zoes_human's review against another edition
4.5
Raspberry is a teen girl whose traumatic experience homelessness has driven her to be obsessed with making money. We follow her journey as she must confront her fears and balance them with the critical relationships in her life. An honest examination of the challenges faced by children in poverty and the struggles of families to hang on to one another in the face of crises.
unwrittensoul's review against another edition
2.0
The book lacks organization. It was just really random everyday actions that did not culminate into any real point or purpose. The ending was as random as the rest of the book. It left me with lots of questions and feelings unresolved.
amy_mancini's review against another edition
3.0
Great, authentic voice for main character/narrator. However, this storyline is just not as compelling as some of Flake's other work. I would still recommend it for my struggling middle school readers.
yabooknerd's review against another edition
4.0
Read it for a book club - lots to talk about in this one!
leomill1977's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't find any of the characters particularly likable, but it was a good book. I did understand why Raspberry behaved the way she did. Fear is a very powerful emotion.
racquels's review against another edition
3.0
Another good Teen/YA book by Sharon Flake. Her characters have real emotions and real problems with a good moral backing. I loved that Raspberry's mother fought to stand on her own instead of taking the easy way and letting Dr. Mitchell take care of her. Especially as a single mother bringing up a teenage girl, values like that, I believe, are the most memorable things a daughter remembers about her mother. I'd recommend this book to any teenage girl that needs a reminder as to the struggles other girls her own age may be living through.