I think that teens would be interested in the book because many of them feel the same way that Sarah and Eric do--like they don't really fit in anywhere. The story is gripping and students would want to know what happened to Sarah in her past. I think it would best appeal to older readers who can handle the truth of Sarah's past and the profane language.
The work addresses a number of developmental markers: independence, sexual growth, and friendships and loyalty. Friendships and loyalty become a major issue in the novel as Eric has to decide how to handle his changing friendship with Sarah, should he just let her go, or is their relationship worth fighting for?
I thought that the characters were believable. It was very easy to have sympathy for Sarah's situation and feel moved by the story and plot line. Eric seems to be a regular senior guy. He thinks like a guy would and I thought that his voice was very authentic. Chris Crutcher does a nice job of vacillating between emotional turmoil and a typical guy attitude.
I would most likely promote this book as part of a collection about abuse or appreciating others' differences. I recently saw a teacher who created a book list for her students on these topics. I think it brought together a really riveting collection of novels that students would be interested in reading. I would say that this novel would definitely fit within that category.
5Q, 4P, S
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