I am a middle school librarian, so I read a lot, and mostly read YA books. I read this book last fall and really loved it. The main reason was that Ben (the protagonist) was a fully realized individual, with his own interests, quirks and thoughts, not just "some poor kid with cerebral palsy." I once had a friend who had muscular dystrophy and through our friendship got to understand a little bit about what she thought about living with a disability, especially the way others reacted to her. I found it very refreshing to encounter a charecter with a disability in a young adult novel that was so multi-dimensional. His releationship with Colleen is so engaging because she sees him as an individual first, without focusing on the cerebral palsy. Yes, Colleen is a drug addict, but Ben continually tries to encourage her to quit. Yes, there is some swearing and sex. Frankly, I hear much worse coming out of the mouths of my middle schoolers when they tell me about the R rated movies they watch and Grand Theft Auto Video Games they play. I'd much rather a student read a book where they might think a little and be introduced to new ideas about people diferent than themselves than keep it away from them because it doesn't pound away at an anti-drug message. The kids I sugested this book to loved it because it was so honest and realistic.

I absolutely loved this book. One of my favorites for sure. It is amazing for someone my age(16). It reminded me of my school. I think everyone can releate to either Ben or Colleen.

I loved this book. I myself have gone through rehab six times and fallen back into old habits. But thanks to friends, much like Colleen's in the book, I have been pretty straight for six months now. This is an awe-inspiring book and I recommend it to anyone.

The book has a pretty good build up and then it's as if the author tried to finish the novel within four pages. It skims through the parts that in my opinion are key moments or the best parts of the novel. This is just a way kids can access the world of sex, drugs, and rocknroll without a parent's restriction. Then again parents don't care as long as its a book and not a graphic movie!

This book was awesome! We read it in class for an assignment and I really enjoyed reading it!

i got this book from the lib i love it and so do my friends

OMG i love this book so much i borrowed it from the library and read the whole thing in one day i couldnt put it down the characters seemed so interesting and the focus of the story kept me reading i felt bad for Ben cuze of his condition but he could over come it and that made me think of all the other people with the same thing and this book was very insiteful and it tought me alot about how other people think and ...it was just an awesome book!!!!

This was a really interesting book, however the ending left too much unsaid.

I loved this book, and I think those of us who have to deal with addicts understand it much more than other people. I love how it ended because it was not just a happy ending, It was a truthfull ending. A horrible truth that occurs consistently with addicts