This book has been on my radar for years. My older sister had to read it in school. So, in my mind, I've always associated it to school and "book analysis". I'm guessing this probably had an impact on my overall impression of the book. 
 It is definitely a book for young teenagers, if not tweens. I could also really pick up certain parts of the book that teachers would choose to get their students to "discuss" or "analyse" or "argue". 
 Overall not a bad book... for a young teenager. Wouldn't recommend it to an adult reader.