I read this book as part of my attempt to look at what books schools recommend and require. It was good. It was better than the other one I read. It was sad at times but pretty powerful. It is somewhat odd reading it as an adult and as a parent because I got angry with the parents at times - they were not doing their job well and their poor daughter had to do it for them. I think kids could probably relate to her but not the situation. I still do not know that I will require my kids to read anything. As long as they are reading and reading a selection of different things I think I will let them decide. At least in the elementary years.