Turtle back book rebound by Covercraft [Scholastic] for the classroom trade: they by text blocks from the mass market paperback publisher and case them in hardcovers with the same covers, and sell to school systems for use in reading classrooms. First printing (thus) with complete number line. Tight, flat, square, sharp book. Pages toned. Head dent. A bit of surface soiling to the boards which can be addressed with an alcohol wipe without damaging the covers.

Nominee: VT Golden Dome Book Award Nominee 1994

I'm going to be blunt. This book broke my heart every time I read it. Why? Because it sucks to have a secret and not feel like you have anyone to trust. It's a young adult book, simply put, but it's real, even in some of it's oddness. The characters emotions and fears are real. At least to every child that has ever been abused or raped. What I loved most about the book is that it only covers a short amount of the time Clare spent in the abusive atmosphere, instead of sticking around in the misery, the character delves into a separate world and proves that she can survive on her own, with a little help from people who actually care. It's inspiring. It makes anyone who has ever experienced that kind of trauma feel as if they stand a chance, especially a young person who has been through it. It gives off the sense of "Yes this happened, but I'm not letting it get me down" and that is what a good book is about, it's what life should be about.