The Michigan Stories for Newcomers are original fiction for adults who need to develop their reading skills. These high-interest stories reflect real-life experiences of new speakers of English as they learn about life in the United States. The stories are written at close to a 4th grade reading level and include illustrations. A lower-level modified version of each story is available on our website. ""Flor's Journey to Independence"" begins as Flor and her four-year-old daughter are unexpectedly abandoned by Flor's husband. Flor is suddenly faced with paying the bills and caring for Betina on her own, as she also struggles to get by without speaking much English. Still, once she enrolls in an English class for adults and begins working, she finds that her new life brings her new friends, new opportunities, and new challenges.