Breaking Night by Liz Murray

This is an inspiring book by a former Homeless teen who lives in New York City.  Liz's parents were both drug addicts and alcoholics who never encouraged their two daughters.  Lisa, Liz's sister, at least went to school, graduated and got a job.  Liz was never encouraged to go to school.  Her parents hardly had clothes or food for her and she often went to school without bathing or combing her hair, only to be made fun of by her classmates.  She pretty much left school for good in her teens, left home and lived with friends and boyfriends for several years.  After her mother's death from AIDS, her dad's AIDS dignosis and a cruel encounter with a boyfriend, Liz decided to go back to school. 

She found an alternative high school, finished 4 years of work in 2 years, applied for and won a New York Times Scholarship, applied to Harvard and was accepted.  She graduated in 2007 and founded Manifest Living, an advocate organization that fights homelessness and the problems associated with being homeless. 

I admire her very much for what she has accomplished.