I've been really guilty lately of giving 4 star reviews. Three stars just seems so meh - average to me. Apparently, if you hover over the stars, you can see what they each mean... (duh). So this book will be three stars for me because by definition, I liked it. But I didn't really like it. 
 I had really high hopes for this one because everyone who is anyone seems to have loved it. I think, perhaps, it's because I'm not really into coming-of-age stories. Nevertheless, for me, the most redeeming parts of this book (aside from the love of literature by the main characters!), are the parts where the characters bring in aspects and ideas from one of their classes and discuss (internally or not) how it pertains to their life outside of school. I like the way the reader can see the development of thought and of mindsets and values and ideas based off the questions posed by his teacher. And I think that these parts are the most redeeming, and rewarding for teen readers (as its intended). 
 So while I read through the book not fully intrigued, the ending, in which the protag "reads" from his final paper wraps up my favorite parts of the book and in essence, wrapped the book up in a [more favorable] bow for me. :)