This made me laugh and cry. Amber is a natural leader, a cheerful person who knows how to lift people up. At night she cries for herself and for her mom, who seems lost. Her mom's way of coping with their situation is by taking up with men and drinking.

I loved Amber's spunky optimism. Most of the girls in my lit class did too. To the few who didn't like Amber's voice, I would remind that Amber is from a low-income, rough class of people. The point is her strong spirit. I think her character is believable. There are extraordinary people like this.

When tragedy struck, I cried, and I cried at the ending. This was a great book. I think boys and girls would like it.