Wierd, but great. I listened to most of this, but finished the last couple of chapters in the book. The main character has such a fresh voice. She does seem older than her years, especially at the end. **Spoiler** I loved the ending with Ellen reflecting on how life might be in the future. One thing I didn't understand was why Ellen dated and eventually had sex with James if she wasn't sure of her sexuality. I think this would be a great discussion book. **Quotes** p151 [After their first time having sex...] "My heart gets a vivid and unwelcome preview of what will happen when he leaves for school James and I, after learning how to navigate our boundaries to become one, will be very seperate. We will fade from each others bodies as we seek new and different company." **Discussion Questions**1. What are your beliefs about sex? How did you form these beliefs? 2. Why do you think Ellen was attracted to James? Explain.

I enjoyed this novel, but the details about the saint I thought was a little distracting. Damian seemed a little odd with his obsession of the saints. This book might appeal to some students. I think they would imagine how they would spend the money they found. I think it would be an easy book to book talk because of the money element and all the questions you have from just reading the description.I did find it troubling that the father didn't feel it necessary to turn the money in but rather thought they should keep it and spend it.

This book was a struggle to get through. I can't believe I kept reading it. I really enjoyed the main character's voice. I just wanted the best for her. Sometimes I rooted for her and her mother and other times I wanted her to runaway and start fresh without her!Quotes and Questionsp. 2-- "The cat was supposed to be a present to butter us up about moving--that was one of those things I figured out later, likea missing puzzle piece you find in a dusty corner behind the door a long time after you've given up without finishing and put the puzzle away."--How often does this happen to you (realizing the true motive behind an action/gift)?p. 98--"...I had this feeling: I didn't want to leave anything, not a box or a book or a sock or even a hair clip, along the way on this trip. It's not that I cared so much about that stuff. But there were just certain times it seemed important to keep everything together, your life all gathered up around you like a blanket, and not start losing little pieces of yourself along the road."--I thought this was an interesting thought coming from a twelve-year-old. What experiences does a young girl have to have to think this way? Would any 6th grader think this way? Explain.p. 107--"In California, there had been Grandma, and I knew how to get me and Rona to her house on the bus. There was Empey's market, and I could walk there, and usually I could find thirty-three cents somewhere in the house for a box of macaroni and cheese. In Utah, there had been Aunt Bridge and Mark, so it hadn't felt like if things went really wrong, we might just disappear completely and never be heard from again. But if something bad happened to us in Iowa, I didn't know if I'd be able to figure out what to do."--Why should a twelve-year-old have to be worrying about these things?--Marie, Colleen's friend does not like Rona very much. Why does Colleen deny this when Justine approaches her, but acts as if she realizes something is not right (as she does on p. 119, Collen purchases a pack of cigarettes to deal with the stress, even though she hasn't smoked in quite awhile).--Why is Marie so cruel to Justine and Rona? Why does Colleen deny it or not see it?--What is wrong with Colleen? Are we as the reader ever going to get clued in to what is wrong with her? I think that is one of the most frustrating thing and the reason I keep reading to find out what is wrong with her.--How does the story of Zebulina parallel the story of Justine?

I actually listened to the audio version. I thought the narrator was ok, he actually is an actor on the television show Alias. I thought this was very well written. I enjoyed the perspective of a young innocent boy. SpoilerI liked that Spinelli followed through with the whole story, ending with Misha's later life after migrating to the U.S.

I enjoyed listening to this novel. I am happy I read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe first. Currently, the recommended order of reading The Chronicles of Narnia is to start with the Magicians Nephew, however, I started with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe because that was what was published first.