How is Adeline an innocent girl who experiences difficult childhood?

Adeline's family life is anything but pleasant. Her father shuns her because her mother died while giving birth to her, her older brothers and sisters blame her for the loss of their mother. Niang, her stepmother, is cruel to all of her step-children, but Adeline draws more attention that the others because she stands up to her. Adeline's grandparents and Aunt Baba are all well loved by Adeline, and they return her love.