Milkweed

Over the course of the novel, the protagonist transforms from a boy without friends or identity into the boy called Misha. From the start, we see that Misha is alone.... he is also self-sufficient. Stealing food would never be advised, but the only way Misha can feed himself is to take what he needs. Over the course of the novel, however, Misha makes friends, and in the process attains the family he never had.