Chances are, you already know what this book is really about. The role of Melinda in the film version of the story is considered Kristen Stewart's break-out performance by a lot of critics, proof that she can really act. And if you've seen the film, the book is much, much, better. The personalities of secondary characters are more developed and the story feels more cohesive. It can be difficult to have a book that relies mainly on observations, on being inside the head of a single character, on limited use of dialogue. But Laurie Halse Anderson is so adept at telling a story in an honest, straightforward way, fulling immersing herself in the voice of her character, that the novel never feels like it's lacking dialogue. The story moves along surprisingly smoothly without lengthy conversations.

Now, if you don't know what the book is really about, what really happened at the party that ruined Melinda's social life, before you start reading, I'll have to warn you that the story features mature subject matter. I wouldn't recommend it for younger readers. The story is dark, and if you're under the age of fourteen, you might want to hold off on reading it for a while.