White Oleander

A cult classic. 

White Oleander is a 1999 novel by American author Janet Fitch. It is a coming-of-age story about a child who is separated from her mother and placed in a series of foster homes. It deals with themes of motherhood. The book was selected for Oprah's Book Club in May 1999, after which it became a national bestseller

Turned into an iconic movie in 2002 starring Michelle Pfeiffer, Rene Zelweger and Alison Lohman.

This is what you are after when you're browsing the shelves for something good to read.