I chose a picture which shows a man determined to complete his run up a flight of stairs. His determination is reflected in how Jeannette acts throughout the book. On example of determination is on page 221, when Jeannette states "Like Lori, I was going to get out of Welch. The sooner, the better. Before I finished high school, if I could." Moving cities with your own money as a highschooler is very difficult, but she got a job and persevered until she was finally able to go to New York, showing how determined she was.

The Walls children faced many struggles growing up, which although meant a bad childhood, also made them stronger people. One example of tough times making them stronger was on page 172: "Brian and I became expert foragers. We picked crab apples and wild blackberries and pawpaws during the summer and fall, and we swiped ears of corn from Old Man Wilson's farm." Due to them not having enough food at home, the children became skilled in foraging for and rationing food. The picture I chose represents this as it shows plants growing through cement: although it is much harder to grow through cement than in soil, it makes them stronger than those grown in soil.