Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver 

Kingsolver takes up to Appalacia, buring the 80s. Through her talents, we experience the poverty and feelings of uselessness from the lost jobs. We experience the addiction and hopelessness brought on by painkillers. Demon is a kind bright boy who loses his beautiful young addicted mother when he's 10. He goes from bad to worse in the foster system and ends up with his own hopes dashed and his own addictions. It's a vivid view into a world ver much a part of America History.