Although this novel is comical at times when I look below the surface of this novel and look a little dipper I believe that the author is bringing to light a problem that we have in our foster care system, children are being passed along from one family to another never having a sense of security, comfort or happiness, left to their own devices as they attempt to survive in a world that do not love or care for them.
The setting for this novel seems to represent how Gilly feel’s about life. After being moved from foster home to foster home not having a permanent family she starts to feel dark and messy as if no one care’s about her at all, small like her room indicating how insignificant her life is, a small spec hardly noticeable.
The author used a little bit of a shock factor by giving Gilly a somewhat filthy mouth. I do not think that this kind of language is appropriate for the intended audience or any audience at that. Although Gilly changes her language I still think that by using profanity it teaches children that it is fine to curse or swear when they get upset. Even if it only affects one child in that manner I think that one is too much. I would not allow my child to read this book nor would I recommend it to anyone.