The book is told through young Cassie’s journal entries. The reader experiences Cassie’s daily harassment and bullying as she relates the events to "Di." Though she tells the reader that she has not had a good school year since fifth grade, eighth grade threatens to be the nadir of all school experiences. After choosing not to sing "I am Proud to be an American" as part of the advanced choir’s program, on the grounds that the song is more propaganda than patriotic, she is singled out for abuse by both teachers and students.

Chants of "Osama O’Sullivan" and "American Taliban slut" follow her through the halls and rain down on her in the form of notes that pile up in her locker day after day. The only solace Cassie finds is in her brother, who is away at college, and his new girlfriend who turns out to be another free spirit and becomes as close as any sister.

Cassie’s mother and father have raised her to be an intelligent and independent young lady, but she can’t bring herself to share her school humiliations in full, even with them. It is only when her family retreats for weekends and holidays to their mountain cabin and her tipi that Cassie can escape her school life.

When things seem to be darkest, and Cassie is suspected of contemplating suicide, she finally finds the friends she needs, a place to fit in, and possibly a first love - too bad his mommy is a Bible-thumping conservative.

I read this book cover-to-cover in one sitting and then recommended it to all my middle and high school teacher friends and their students. Brian Mandabach has truly found the voice and the soul of the outsider eighth-grade girl. I can’t wait to read his next book.