The Definition of Family

Over recent decades, the definition of family has changed with social attitudes and expectations. Delsie McHill is surprised to discover that the label “orphan” has the power to hurt, and she spends the following weeks struggling with the definition of her own family, finally coming to realize that the people who love and protect her are family, regardless of whether they are related by blood.

Delsie is at home when one of her best friends, Aimee Polloch, arrives with the news she has gotten the lead in the play Annie. Aimee asks Delsie to help her understand what it is really like to be an orphan, and Delsie falters with a reply. Delsie has no memories of her mother and she is being raised by her grandmother, Bridget. While she has always known these facts about her life, Aimee's question prompts Delsie to...