I read this book because a principal who was involved in banning it from schools was convicted of having child pornography a few weeks ago.

It's incredibly ironic because the central theme of the book is how hiding child sexual abuse destroys lives. Of course sexual predators wouldn't want girls to read this book.

Other people have said this is 16 , but the publisher's guidelines say 13 , and I've recommended it for younger. Yes, it contains dark themes. But sunlight is the best disinfectant. Child sexual abuse thrives because of secrecy, a central theme of this book.

Children who haven't been sexually abused aren't going to be traumatised from reading a book about it, and children who recognise themselves in the book - and there will be some who sadly will - could be empowered to protect themselves, or at least feel less alone. By "protecting" children from learning sexual abuse exists by preventing them from reading this book, we leave children who are actually being sexually abused in the darkness. ( )

About two-thirds into this book, I became tired by the build up and the threats of the big reveal. I skipped about 50 pages and read the last two chapters, where every thing is revealed plainly and clearly. Instead of a big gasp, I gave a defeated sigh. Once the abuser of the "dead girl" is subtly revealed earlier, the book doesn't do a good job of holding onto the reader. However, teens will love this book. It touches on an interesting concept of the naive sexually awakening of the abused feeling as though she liked the abuse and is actually a lesbian instead of a sexually/mentally manipulated girl. ( )

This was a great book. I could not put it down. I read it in one day. How to deal with a "friend" who is abusing you is the topic of this book. What does it mean to be a friend? Ms. Knowles handles this with grace. ( )

Wow, what a book, started it at 10:00 and finished it a 3:00. Of course I had to make lunch in between.
Really though every time I had to stop to let dogs pee, make coffee or find food I quickly went back to it and picked it up immediately. As you can tell this book hooked me, made me mad and talk to it alot.
A great story of growing up with a friend who's not your friend but a user for their own means, whether they themselves have been used it is still not acceptable....you know you've know them. They have a way of making you feel insecure and doubtful. If you ever feel that way run the other way... that's what most of my talking to the book was about..." take off you don't need to put up with that" but honestly if the book had paid any attention to me it would have been a dud so it's a good thing it couldn't hear me out. And hey don't judge me for talking to my book I know you talk to the TV sometimes.
( )

Very uncomfortable to read. Still not sure if I liked it or not. ( )