Bibliography

Primary Sources:

Cowan, Lesley Anne. As She Grows. Toronto: Puffin Canada, 2009. Print.

Secondary Sources:

Brooks, Dominique W. “Statistics on Teen Pregnancy.” Love to Know, 2017. Web. http://pregnancy.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Pregnancy_Statistics_Teens

Toronto Central Health. “Crisis Pregnancy and Maternity Homes - Toronto Central.” The Health Line, 2017. Web. http://www.torontocentralhealthline.ca/listServices.aspx?id=10268

Radwan, Farouk M. “How Can Friends Affect Your Life.” Alexandria-Egypt, 2006-2017. Web. https://www.2knowmyself.com/how_can_friends_affect_your_life.

Conclusion

Through all of Snow’s challenges, situations such as choosing to live in a maternity home, learning lessons, and developing a positive mindset despite being surrounded by negativity made Snow the strong and independent individual that blossoms into at the end of the novel. Everyone can learn a thing or two from Snow’s character and the approach she took to grow as a young woman who faced many obstacles. As She Grows displays how being able to maintain a positive attitude and rise above judgements is a special trait.

Source: http://www.marymound.com/main/services/living-arrangements/group-homes/

This is a visual of the group home setting that Snow met her best friend, Jasmyn. 

Don't accept your friends' view of the world, their beliefs or their opinions without proper realistic filtration. That would be enough to protect you.

Radwan 1

This quote accurately describes exactly what Snow chose to do when she was faced with Jasmyn’s negative opinions. Snow took the high road and instead of letting the cruel judgements go to her heart, she went and got help for herself and her baby.

Sources: http://thehopefulhello.tumblr.com http://just-a-girl-in-this-world.tumblr.com

Other people’s opinions should not influence your own life choices.

Please play this song as you read through the third point.

I chose this song because it relates to Snow developing her positive mindset in spite of her best friend’s doubts about keeping the baby. Jasmyn’s words and expressions towards hearing about Snow being pregnant could have affected Snow very negatively. Snow was able to “rise up” through the judgment she faced, and instead chose to get help for herself.

“And I'll rise up High like the waves I'll rise up In spite of the ache I'll rise up And I'll do it a thousands times again” - Andra Day

Third Point

Snow overcame the doubt from her best friend Jasmyn regarding her pregnancy, by building a positive mindset for herself.

Source: http://www.sliptalk.com/abandoned-house-with-money/

This is a visual of the apartment that both Snow and her birth mother grew up in. 

Your mother was a screwed-up pregnant fifteen-year-old girl. Sound familiar?

Cowan 151

After learning about Snow’s pregnancy, Snow’s Grandmother, Elsie, began to view Snow as a carbon copy of Snow’s birth mother. Although it is common for children to follow in their parent’s footsteps, in this case, Snow beat the odds. 

Source: http://scarps-of-me.tumblr.com

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

Please play this song as you read through the second point.

I chose this song because it talks about change, which is the main theme of this  point. Snow shares the news of her pregnancy with her Grandmother, who believes that Snow is turning out more and more to be like her mother. Snow believed that although the news was a “bitter pill” to swallow, she knew that she could change for the better regardless of her mother’s past.

“I'm sorry that I'm here so late And please don't turn my heart away For your love, I can change” - Gavin James

Second Point

Snow was able to overcome the doubt from her grandmother, Elsie, that she would follow in her mother’s footsteps; she instead learned a lesson from her mother’s mistakes.

Source: http://www.plinc.org/home.html

This is a visual of the maternity home that Snow describes in the novel.

Maternity homes provide shelter as well as care and support services and instruction in child care, for women who are unable to remain in their own homes

Toronto Central Health 1

Snow was a perfect candidate to be in a maternity home because she was living in a group home before she became pregnant, and she did not have a loving home to go back to.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/05/teen-pregnancy-rate_n_5269203.html

Please play this song as you read through the first point.

This song accurately depicts the emotions present between Snow and her boyfriend, Mark, after he finds out about her pregnancy and decides to leave her to fend for herself. Despite being left alone, Snow rises up and gains strength and independence, although it was “not easy”.

“We were two dumb kids Full of grand ideas We knew this would end from the start From the fire we burned You and I we learned It's not easy”  - Alex Da Kid, X Ambassadors, Elle King, Wiz Khalifa

First Point

Snow was able to overcome the doubt from her boyfriend, Mark, of her ability to be a nurturing mother, by moving into a maternity home and seeking help for herself.