This is the first middle grade novel that I have ever read that illustrated the importance off catharsis from the eyes of a young adolensce. Tillie doesn't realize how dramatic real life can be until an actual crisis arrives at her locker, begging for help. I'm not going to say much else to save you from spoilers, but I think this novel does a beautiful job of showing grown up problems through the lens of minors who, above all, want to be kept in the know about what goes on in the world of grown ups.