Rachel Robinson is a strainght A student and from a family of high acheivers, except for her brother Charles who wreeks havoc on the family when he is kicked out of boarding school. In addition, she must deal with friends, crushes and the perils of middle school.

I really connected to Rachel's character because I was also a dutiful daughter and dedicated student and I tended to be somewhat made fun of because of it. I also really like how Blume is able to capture the adolescent female experience time and time again.