I didn't like this book when I read it in middle school. I decided to give it another try, and this time I found things I enjoyed about it, but it still fell a little short for me. I think my biggest issue is how short it is it, I think it really suffers by not spending enough time with the characters. The audiobook I listened to had an interview with the author and her son. I had no idea this story was so personal to her and her family! It was a wonderful bonus at the end of this book!