Thunderwith - "Discuss the ways in which the novel shows us how being part of a family can bring both pain and joy."

Lara experienced pain with the loss of her mother that's she loved very much. She faced a lot of challenges when she had to move into a family that she didn't know. She felt a sense of rejection when both Pearl (one of the daughters) and Gladwyn (the mother) let her know that they didn't want her living with their family. As soon as she arrived at the house, Pearl and Garnet accepted her, and …

…you Lara," Pg. 210. Once again Lara feels loved and accepted by her family, and there is no other greater joy than this. Although Lara is still young she has already had to face a huge emotional hurdle in her life, one that bought her both joy and pain. Although she will always feel pain because of the death of her mother, she can always be re-assured with a family that now loves and accepts her.