Noelle's life is a mess. She is bullied at school; her single mother neglects and verbally abuses her. The only bright spot is her best friend Sherae and her art. Oh, and Julian Porter...the boy of her dreams.
But Noelle has kept the extent of her miserable home life and the bullying a secret for so long from everyone, including Sherae, that when she starts to make other friends in Simon (the co-editor of the literary magazine) and Julian starts to pay attention to her, it completely freaks her out.
When Ali, a fellow classmate and bullying victim, commits suicide, Noelle decides to be done--done with putting up with everyone's insults and bullying, done with being made to feel less and done being afraid.
Overall, I thought this was a good book, with a great message. However, at the end it felt too preachy and heavy-handed to me. I think my students who liked Jay Asher's Thirteen Reasons Why or Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak would like this book. I may have to add it to my wish list for next year.
Disclaimer: I was provided with a free galley copy of this book by the publisher. It will be available for purchase on May 31, 2012.
Happy Reading!!
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