I was hooked from the beginning - this would be such a fun book to booktalk - and loved it. It was a great combination of introspection and action. I don't remember another book that so clearly described the mental states a person might have in a moment or day that are so challenging to understand or explain. But there's also a great plot and story to keep things moving. I imagine some kids and adults might be unhappy with so many unanswered questions at the end, but I didn't mind. There was a typo on page 223 of my library copy - does the Newbery committee care about these things? I hope not. 
 (About five years ago, Laurel Snyder skyped with our library's book club when we discussed "Bigger than a Bread Box" and she couldn't have been nicer.)