Sorry, no offense to the author, but I'm a 9th grader and we just had to read this book and...well....no one liked it. It's annoying because at the beginning this guy is completely overly dramatic and sensitive. Everyone knows high school isn't going to be perfect, especially for new kids. But because a girl embarrassed him he decides to kill himself? Sorry but that's beyond stupid.Then some wooden toys are supposed to influence people and their life choices? Really? If I saw a toy in the park, I'd think, "cool," and then forget about it forever. The book doesn't have much going for it anyway. You can tell that the author is probably good because of his writing style, but the book is awful! If I hadn't been forced to read it I would have returned it before the 2nd day, if I checked it out in the 1st place. Do yourself a favor, and don't read it unless you have to. If you are in high school, middle school, etc, then u have enough drama in your life and shouldn't have to put yourself through a story of a random guy's self-destructive course and his guilt from murder and etc.