The Room Upstairs

The Room Upstairs is a 1987 Hallmark Hall of Fame TV movie based on the novel The Room Upstairs by Norma Levinson, starring Stockard Channing, Sam Waterston, Joan Allen and Linda Hunt. The young Jerry OConnell, Devoreaux White and Sarah Jessica Parker all have small supporting roles. The film aired on CBS on January 31, 1987 and was later distributed on DVD.

Leahs head teacher Linda Hunt assigns her to look after an unruly illiterate teenage girl named Susan Rene Estevez, who refuses to attend school. Susan lives with her boyfriend. Leah visits her regularly and tries to teach her to read by using fashion magazines. She even includes Susans boyfriend, but when she thinks Susan opens up to her, the girl plays a cruel trick on Leah, causing Leah to lose her patience and start a physical fight with Susan in public. As the police arrive, Susan falsely accuses her of having assaulted her with a broken bottle and Leah leaves.Returning home Leah sees Travis repairing the sink and tells him off. Travis answers back by explaining to her she mustnt believe she was the only person who is hurt and she should be more interested in Ellies problems. Leah then talks to Ellie and they become friends. ........

Source: Wikipedia