At the age of fourteen, most girls spend their time worrying about clothes, friendships, and boys. But for Joyebell, homeless and living on the streets of South Dallas, everyday concerns are much more serious. This is the real-life story of a teenage runaway, driven onto the streets by a home filled with physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. But even when life seems hopeless, Joyebell stays strong by having faith that there is something better, no matter what things look like or how they feel, surviving every drama that comes her way with a spirit that emerges even more beautiful after the storm of her early life has passed. Combining the dark realities of a troubled childhood with plenty of humor and heart, Hopefully Beautiful gives readers a firsthand look at the trials of living with a parent who has an untreated mental illness, as well as the difficulties of surviving and thriving after years of abuse, molestation, and rape. Above all, this deeply personal memoir serves as a testament to the endurance of the human spirit and the ability to overcome obstacles and emerge triumphant despite seemingly impossible odds.
