I can barely believe this book was written by an 8th grader/freshman in high school. Maya has a very clear voice for someone her age, and funny and honest and charming to boot. I wanted to be an author myself in 8th grade. I saw a lot of myself in her. I, too, was an unpopular, unfashionable bookworm of a geek. Her transformation was just as enchanting as if I were watching Cinderella in slow motion. Maya found true courage within herself, the courage to not only talk to and befriend her more "popular" peers, but to see each and every person she met as, well, a person. Someone worthy of love and respect and friendship. That's something I really strive towards, and I think others should too. The world would be a much better place. 
 I'm definitely watching out for her. This girl is going places.