Cursed is an angry, honest story about living with chronic pain as a teenager with imperfect parents, friendships, and teachers. I put off reading this book even after I checked it out from the library because it reminded me of a very painful time in my life I try not to remember. Thankfully Silverstein offers Ricky her first supportive figures early on in the story, so that her suffering and loneliness aren't dragged out long after they're made apparent to the reader. Ricky remained endearing even with all her resentment and the major mistakes she made to avoid hurt and humiliation. Today's teenager with arthritis and other chronic pain disorders are lucky to have Ricky and her author to understand their pain, because they've been there too.