The book resonated so deeply with readers when it was first released back in 2005, that it was recently adapted for the screen, starring Brie Larson, Naomi Watts, and Woody Harrelson, and opening nationwide August 11.

Walls was born in Tucson, Arizona, though her nomadic and often chaotic childhood brought her to live in temporary homes across the U.S., as the family bounced from San Francisco to Nevada to West Virginia, with brief stints of homelessness scattered in between.

And yet, as painful as Walls’ childhood was, she never forgets to mention the joy she felt growing up, and the important life lessons her creative, free-spirited parents imparted onto her.

Brie Larson plays Walls as she comes of age and finally breaks free from her past, starting a new life for herself in New York as a writer.

Witnessing the many ways in which Walls managed to find beauty in life, despite its moments of darkness — and come out the other side an actual heroine — is totally badass and absolutely inspiring.