Torn between two cultures

I could hardly put down The Queen of Water by Laura Resau and Maria Virginia Farinango, a novel based on the true story of the latter.  Virginia was born into the poor indigenas class of Ecuador.  When she is seven years old, she's sent to be the maid for a couple from the mestizos, or ruling class.  Even though she's promised pay, visits home, and an education, she receives none of this.  Fortunately, she's vivisima - very clever - and teaches herself to read and take advantage of the couple's prosperity.  But through the years, even though the wife beats her and the husband starts to behave inappropriately towards her, she's enjoying relative luxury.  What will she do when presented an opportunity to go home?  The ever-changing conflicts Virginia feels, trying to figure out who she is and where she fits in, are achingly described.  Older middle school students, especially those who might be parts of more than one culture, will easily be drawn into this incredible story.