I really did not like this book. I have a difficult time seeing its purpose or value. It was to me a glorification of a bully. The main character was rude, disrespectful, and often down right mean. I understand that the character had a hard life but why do authors feel that creating heroic figures out of characters with terrible attitudes is appropriate? Gilly never faces any direct consequences for her bad behavior and there never comes a point of personal improvement or change.

Perhaps I am just a reader who needs a happy ending but I was really disappointed that Gilly did not make a significant turn around in circumstance or attitude.

This novel carries Katherine Paterson's typical edgy, almost dark style. I did not mind that so much in a story such as "...Terebithia"- at least that story had a point and characters that could be admired and even emulated. I think she went too far off on this one- it felt like she was trying too hard to appeal to social workers, inner-city do gooders, and politically correct educators. Perhaps it's good to have a story that appeals to all of them but it doesn't work for me.