I enjoyed this variation on a first person narrative which offers the perspective of the protagonist's drawings as well as writings. I also enjoyed the gradual build-up of the novel which allowed me to walk around and explore her world, filled with quirky, visual language and a strong sense of home. In fact, the build-up was so gradual at first that it took me quite some time to realise that, at a personal level, I recognised this scenario.

Well, okay, the scenario I remember is very different and did not involve violence turned outwards. But so much of it rings true for me, right down to the green eyes. Disappointingly, the threads of the novel do rather predictably come together with the inevitable moral conclusion, but this was still an interesting and absorbing read. ( )

Max used to be friends with Roddy Nash before something terrible happened to him in middle school and Roddy disappeared. Now they're in high school and Roddy is back, taller and calling himself Rick. Can Max pick up where she left off with him?

Max is a cartoonist and an artist and some of Max's cartoons are included in the book, which was a nice way to break up the text a little bit. Max is dealing with a LOT here... her cousin is gay and having issues with his closeted star football player boyfriend. Her best friend would rather get high than hang out with her (so she thinks). And now Roddy's back in the picture and Max has to figure things out with him. There's a lot going on in this novel. Max was a likeable character and she grew and changed by the end of the book. ( )