It's been a good 5 years since I've read this book, but I can remember how fond I was of it... It was one of the first books that made my cry and I loved the friendship and loyalty between all the characters. I don't want to write too much on it in fear that I'll get a point of the book wrong. Suffice it to say that I think people of all ages, especially those in junior high, should read (and hopefully love) this amazing book. :)