Abby's hasty enrollment in a private Catholic school comes shortly after she's expelled from her public school for assault. While the story's plot slowly teases out the details of that expulsion, readers follow Abby through her 6th grade year as she discovers Catholicism, acting, and her own true voice. ( )

This is a powerful story of faith and neglect. It's a good reminder that not all children who suffer from neglect are poor. Many are quite wealthy and seem, on the surface at least, to have perfect lives. Sadly, that is often far from the truth. ( )

Gr 6-8-Only days into sixth grade, quiet, studious Abby is expelled from school for pulling a pocketknife on a classmate who has been sexually harassing her for a year. Her friends, teachers, and parents will not believe that popular Brett McAvery would do such a thing, and the fact that his father is the principal does not help Abby's case. Her parents, workaholics who cannot fathom the idea of homeschooling Abby, enroll her in a private Catholic school, although they are devout nonbelievers. Abby is filled with anger at their lack of involvement and support and resolves to convert to Catholicism in an effort to irritate them. While her initial decision is impulsive and provocative, she finds that she is drawn to Christianity's comfort almost in spite of herself, and she ends up taking her studies much more seriously than she had anticipated. As she delves into the traditions and beliefs of the Church, Abby finds that forgiveness of the people who have wronged her is the most difficult barrier to overcome. Bradley does not pull back from the questions and confusion that adolescents face when it comes to religion, and packs a lot of power into this slim novel. There are no pat answers, and the tension between Abby's doubts and her desire to believe in a higher power will resonate with many readers.-Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.
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I enjoyed this read as it deals head on with issues of faith and belief in a direct manner rarely seen in literature for young adults and its treatment treats its intended audience with the healthy maturity and respect it deserves. ( )