The Glass Castle

        I am currently absorbed in The Glass Castle. I think it is a truly inspiring memoir. Although the family leads a harsh, difficult life living on close to nothing, they always find creative ways to get by. We can see the contrast between the Walls family and others living in poverty because they see things differently and are rather well educated. When the family lived in Battle Mountain Jeanette meet Billy Deel. At one point Billy told Jeanette not to pretend she's better than him and that her dad is nothing but a drunk like his. Jeanette thought of all the things that makes her father different like how he understands binary numbers, has a plan to secure funding to build a project he calls the Glass Castle, and gave her Venus for Christmas when they couldn't afford gifts. But she knew he couldn't understand how her family was different from his even though they lived in the same conditions.
        Although the parents are neglecting their children by not always being able to provide completely for them with full nourishment or safe shelter, it can be clearly seen that the parents do truly love their kids and want the best for them. The father educates his children in mathematics and science while the mother teaches them English and reading and a slew of other life skills. By the time Jeannette (the author and narrator) was in second grade, she knew how to use the binary numbering system. Even though it's not the traditional way of learning, or an ideal way of living, it seemed to work for the Walls family.