Someone else had luch so here goes - it was YA book and probably written before (maybe well before) 1990. I don't think it was part of a series. The protagonist was a young girl living with her alcoholic, abuse mother - I remember she had to pretty much take of the mom but that she would occasionally have "good times" The had apple trees cause the girl was always picking apples. She was an artist and would paint out by a river, and someone who came to come and worry about her (her boyfriend or a teacher maybe) gave her this nice set on paints and paper. When her mother found it she thought the girl had been spending her money on it and beat her unconscious and tore up all the paper so that it fell around her like snow. I think the boyfriend then found her and called his mom.

Anybody know this book? I've been looking forever. It one of those that touched me way back when and I haven't forgotten.

Thanks,    Christine

 That one doesn't sound familar to me.  You can check out www.abebooks.com  they have a section titled Booksleuth, and they have helped me find many books I read as a kid, with much less info than you have.   Give them a try, I'm sure they'll know it!