"I loved this book — it was a quick, fulfilling read that grabbed me from the beginning... Started and finished within 24 hours — I could not put this book down." — Miss Remmers
From Amazon.com...
"Get this, I'm supposed to be starting a journal about "my journey." Please. I can see it now: Dear Diary, As I'm set adrift on this crazy sea called "life"... I don't think so.
It's been seventy-five days. Amy's sick of her parents suddenly taking an interest in her. And she's really sick of people asking her about Julia. Julia's gone now, and she doesn't want to talk about it. They wouldn't get it, anyway. They wouldn't understand what it feels like to have your best friend ripped away from you. They wouldn't understand what it feels like to know it's your fault. Amy's shrink thinks it would help to start a diary. Instead, Amy starts writing letters to Julia. But as she writes letter after letter, she begins to realize that the past wasn't as perfect as she thought it was—and the present deserves a chance too."
I loved this book — it was a quick, fulfilling read that grabbed me from the beginning. I didn't know what was going on and I had to find out. I finally started piecing together the story around page 44, but I still couldn't slow down. Started and finished within 24 hours — I could not put this book down. Even after the book closed, I found myself thinking of Amy.
Besides the riveting plot, the characters were wonderfully written. Amy's anger, guilt, and sorrow was so real — I knew her. Readers' hearts break for Amy when the realization of what happened hits. No, Amy's not innocent — but that's what makes this story real and powerful. Amy is flawed, as well as Julia, Caro, and the rest of the characters. Even the secondary characters, Caro, Patrick, and Mel, were realistic and individual. No two characters were similar. Beth, who had probably four lines of actual dialogue, was phenomenally written. It's this unperfect cast of characters that creates a great character and plot driven book.
If I had to say one thing that bothered me it would be the cover (and I never comment on covers). The cover didn't match the book and just didn't fit, in my opinion.
I will definitely be adding this book to my classroom next fall, it's completely appropriate and is one of the most real books I've ever read.