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Jeannette Walls
Jeannette Walls is a writer and journalist. Born in Phoenix, Arizona, she graduated with honors from Barnard College, the women's college affiliated with Columbia University.
The Glass Castle
Synopsis
Jeannette Walls recounts her unconventional childhood in this memoir. Raised by nomadic, artistic parents who moved the family constantly and often left them without food, heat, or a fixed home, Walls and her siblings learned early to fend for themselves. The book follows her from a mining-town Southwest childhood to a chaotic settling-in in Welch, West Virginia, and eventually to New York City, where she builds an adult life apart from her parents even as they remain a persistent, complicated presence. It is a clear-eyed account of poverty, resilience, and the pull between loyalty to family and the need to leave.
Genres
ALA Alex Award (2006)Lincoln Award (2008)
Frequently asked questions
Is The Glass Castle a true story?
The Glass Castle is a memoir, recounting Jeannette Walls's own experiences growing up with unconventional and impoverished parents. It details her real-life childhood and journey to independence.
Is there a movie adaptation of The Glass Castle?
A film adaptation of The Glass Castle was released in 2017, starring Brie Larson as Jeannette Walls. It closely follows the events and characters depicted in the book.
What awards did The Glass Castle win?
The Glass Castle was a New York Times bestseller and won the Christopher Award, which recognizes works that affirm the highest values of the human spirit.
