Ellen Foster

Features the suicide of the protagonist's mother and the eventual death of her father and grandmother.

Injuries are described in the context of abuse, though not gratuitous.

Occasional harsh language reflects the harsh realities of the characters' lives.

Church attendance and religious settings appear as a backdrop to community life.

Minor references to childhood crushes; not a central focus.

A child faces repeated domestic violence, abuse, abandonment, unsafe placements, custody upheaval, a parent's suicide, and other serious threats to her safety.

The novel includes sexual abuse of Ellen by her father and a cruel false accusation involving sex. These are serious, distressing references, not erotic content.

Alcoholism is a central theme and the primary cause of the father's destructive behavior.

Frequent domestic violence; the protagonist is physically abused and neglected by her alcoholic father.