Stephanie is admirable. I commend her for taking on the difficult role of single motherhood and for taking herself out of the unhealthy and abusive relationship that she had with Mia’s father. Neither of these choices could have been easy but she knew what she needed to do for her daughter. Stephanie lacked familial support, and that added extra stress as she truly had no one who she could lean on or ask for help. Stephanie’s story is just one story of Americans who struggle to get ahead. I live in Canada and our government supports are different from the United States. But whether they are more or less, better or worse, I can’t be certain. This is because it is not something I have ever had to inquire about or rely on, luckily. However, I do think that there should be more help and handouts available. Whether it is in the form of assistance in paying for childcare, loans or grants for education and job improvement, or subsidized living arrangements, it doesn’t matter. Although all would be preferred.

Stephanie’s story opens your eyes to the “servant” industry. I think that cleaners and janitors are so often looked down upon in society. They are perceived as being uneducated and less than. I think that Stephanie’s story can help to change that perception. Stephanie is smart, hardworking, and self-less. She is doing the work that she can to support herself and her daughter, while also taking college courses. Cleaning other people’s homes is a means to an end. It is a job. She does not let it define who she is. That makes me proud.

Stephanie’s accomplished degree in Creative Writing & English is evident in her writing. It is an engaging story of a personal journey. I read this book as an audiobook and found that there was a wonderful flow and rhythm to the words. As I listened, I found that parts of her story were terrifying and hard to experience, even second hand. I want to thank Stephanie for sharing her story with the world. It has certainly opened my eyes and erased some pre-conceived (and incorrect) notions about those who live and struggle below the poverty line.