Betsey Brown is a good book to read and a easy read too. I found myself not wanting to put it down. It was amazing to me how much Betsey grew through out this book. It seemed like the women she met throughout her life taught her a lot more than what her mom did. I think that is a good and a bad aspect. I know her mother is a very busy woman but she should be able to teach her children about life. They really just lived every day the same. They all loved each other but it always got hectic in the house so there didn't seem much time to do other activities when the day's chores came to an end. When Regina came into the Brown's home she influenced the children but not as much as Carrie did. Regina taught the children about life whether it was appropriate or not i am not going to talk about. I think what really taught Betsey was her trip to the city when she saw Regina, it probably changed her whole persona and I am glad it did. Carrie was like the mother that those children needed. She was stern but sweet, fun but to the point. She gave the children meaning in the home and responsibilities that they were okay with doing. She also talked to each child on their own level. I was not happy with the ending and it left me wondering about Carrie and her past life. I never would have thought she would end up in prison. It seemed that you had to be ruff around the edges to survive in that era though. I think adolescents should read this book, it opens the doors to things that can be oblivious to the young.