Perfectly captures the misery and drama of high school. ( )

Very interesting and well told story of a girl who is ostracized by her peers and how she copes. I would have given it a 4th star, but somehow the way in which the situation finally turns for the character didn't have quite enough believability for my taste. But there is a lot to like about the writing style and the insight the author has into what it is like to be a teenager and lonely.
( )

CW: Rape ( )

Oh my I loved this book! The power of what goes on in the mind never ceases to amaze me. Laurie Halse Anderson gave words to the unspoken.

As a survivor of child abuse, I related to Melinda. What happens inside of our minds is often more painful than the originating event. Thinking no one will believe you or care if you tell them is a torture that Laurie Halse Anderson examines in depth.

Given an art project at the beginning of the year, I got to watch Melinda work through her pain and anguish piece by piece. She received help at times and knocked back at other times. In the end she found her voice and was able to begin the healing process.

This book could save the life of a victim of rape or abuse. That is powerful. ( )

This was a tough read and I never would have heard of it had it not been an assignment for my kid. There's nothing particularly graphic in the book but being a witness to Mel's feelings of despair and solitude were painful. ( )