This is an awesome book. I remember the first time I read it I hated it. DH & I read it & discussed it & at the time neither one of us liked it. My special-needs son had to read it for his 9th grade English class. I read the first 3 chapters out loud to him & couldn't put it down. Talk about a different frame of mind from the first time. I've come to terms w/the fact that it's ok to be different. We don't all have to be the same. In fact, if being the same will cause us to lose color, emotions, etc., who wants to be the same?