Your life can fall apart in the sound of one gun shot.

Fifteen year old Davey is first confronted with this realization when her father is shot point blank one night at his convenience store. Forced to try and put together the pieces from her crumbling life, her mother decides that it would be best for them to take a long visit out to Alamos, New Mexico, where Davey will ultimately decide if it is time for her to move on.

As always, Judy Blumes writes a hauntingly beautiful and relatable tale of adolescent struggle. Davey as a character is extremely honest, passionate and unstable. She will fly off the handle at a moment’s notice, yet always be there for her crumbling mother and alcoholic best friend. Not only does Blume speak honestly about dealing with grief, she also brings up other major issues of adolescence; alcoholism, sexism, racism and self-esteem are just as prominent throughout this book. Blume tells of these issues with no false pretenses or guard up; in other words, she speaks from the heart .

When I read this book, I cried along with Davey. I cared for these characters as deeply as I would my own family and friends, and felt all of their struggles on a deeper level than I could have ever imagined. While I was reading this book, it almost felt as if someone were giving me a warm hug. Judy really found someplace in my heart and spoke to me with a level of understanding I didn’t think adults were even capable of.

Davey’s story is your very own, because her feelings and experiences are universal. Read this book—-I can almost guarantee that you will come out with a different point of view.

I know I certainly did.