Ashes by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Ashes by Susan Beth Pfeffer

    Ashes by Susan Beth Pfeffer is about a girl who has many problems with her family. From her parents getting divorced to Ashes' lack of trust towards her father. Not only that but her family has many issues starting with her father, he wants money to probably do bad things. Ashes has to deal with all the issues her parents face as they are divorced, the constant arguing is getting to her head. In addition to this her father can't keep promises which is making Ashes even more indecisive. Ashes by Susan Beth Pfeffer shows how many children's parents divorce causes teens to pick sides between parents.

    During the story Ashes is getting manipulated by her father getting told to take money from her mom and give it to him. Imagine getting told to steal something from your own family, this is why Ashes begins to doubt her fathers reasoning. While Ashes' is in the restaurant with her father he says, "She's a wonderful woman," he said. "But he she gets on idea and she never wants to change it." "What do you want me to do, Dad?" I asked. "Come into the apartment with me an take the money?" When she hears this question Ashes' begins to question what her dad is beginning to do from when her parents got divorced. Ashes' dad tries to sweet talk her into doing it by telling her shes "one in a million," and by taking her out to dinner. Ashes mother doesn't trust her father as she tells him he is not reliable. Ashes' father begins to manipulate her trying to get her to take the money. This is when Ashes' is forced to begin to pick sides between parents causing bad things to happen afterwards.

     In addition, her father can't keep promises. I know this because he wants the "best" for his daughter saying he will do his best yet he is trying to get Ashes' to do bad in front of her father showing how he isn't trust worthy or reliable towards his own family. Her mom begins to want Ashes' not to trust her father showing the bad example he is setting. Not only that but her father is lying to her saying that once he pays off two hundred dollars in a day or two he will have his finances straightened out. In the story it says, "No, I just thought you could borrow the money," he said. "Just for a day or two, until I straighten out all my finances." On the other hand her mother is trying to help her daughter Ashes by protecting her.

    Its not unusual to grow up without parents. Ashes has to decide whether to be loyal to her father or mother. This shows how relationships can be complicated even in families. I believe Ashes will choose her mother over her father as she is more caring and protective over her which could be a better thing than being mistreated by someone. I think this story has a big significance showing how difficult things may get in families but how they have to pull through. Susan Beth Pfeffer gets her point across clearly giving details on how and what issues the main character was facing at all times since the beginning of the story to the end. Even though Ashes was being manipulated she began to realize something was wrong at the end.