A year in the life of 6 high school kids and one adult who have trouble “fitting in.” Robbins assigns various categories along the lines of school stereotypes (e.g., “new girl,” “gamer,” “band geek”) and devotes the first half of the book to interviews and recaps of their isolation from their peers. This part was often really sad to read, particularly those cases with unsupportive parents. After about six months she assigns each a challenge, and then follows the process and outcome. It was easy to follow the seven main “characters,” but there were dozens of ancillary acquaintances and family members connected with each and it was very hard to remember all of them from chapter to chapter.

Robbins discusses “quirk theory” which is basically that idiosyncratic people are unappreciated in adolescent- (and sometimes even cliquey adult-) dominated situations, and once individuals can move beyond it they tend to thrive. This is kind of a no brainer, but the research and stories were interesting. I liked the emphasis at the end on what schools can do to mitigate this type of ostracism.