The book clearly illustrates, through the accounts of children, how they perceive themselves, their families, and their surroundings under conditions of poverty. It offers a unique analysis of the devastating, multifaceted effects of poverty on children. The book presents the findings of a qualitative study that examines the living conditions of elementary school-aged children from the children's perspective. It is one of the first studies based on the children's own statements. Overall, it becomes evident that the processes of increasing disadvantage and multidimensional exclusion of children pose a theoretical, empirical, and conceptual challenge for social work. The currently inadequate tools of child and youth welfare are particularly highlighted. As a result, the book discusses proposals for a conceptual reorientation of youth welfare.