According to Literature for Children a Short Introduction by David Russell this novel is a new realism book. This novel evokes real emotions in Gilly, the main character. In new realism it is “sought to bring more honest emotions, franker language and bolder ideas to the literature for children” (Russell 2001, p.213). The language is evident in Gilly’s use of cussing throughout the novel. It is also evident in the thoughts in between the dialogue between characters. This novel also works through racial prejudices as Gilly encounters a few African American people and befriends them. New realism novels also “address the problems of the individual rather than the society” (Russell, 2001, p. 214). Gilly’s journey takes the reader through friendships, family dynamics as well as the struggles of moving from place to place and the frustrations Gilly experiences with new people.