I read this for the first time in Italian when i was 12 and my parents bought it for me without knowing what was inside (DO NOT buy it for your kids), and it is honestly the book that i best remember from my past.
The protagonist, Cordelia, is pregnant and wants to give her daughter a book that she wrote, following her life from when she was sixteen to the present. So we follow along the life of this teenager who wants to grow up, maybe quicker than necessary, having her first boyfriend and losing her virginity. Then a few major plot twist will happen but obviously no spoilers! So yeah, it is a very graphic book considering the amount of sex talk, but it's not crude or gross, it actually feels pretty natural.
Hands down, the best thing about it is the characterization of Cordelia, written by a man but so realistic that it kinda scares me at times. (Oh btw it's 850 pages, soooo...) I mean I just have very fond memories about this book, and I really really recommend it. It's full of wisdom and it makes you feel more in contact with reality (makes sense?) ( )

I bought this book because it was the thickest one I could find (more for your money!) but it ended up being really interesting! Weird, not exactly what I'd think of as a realistic teenage girl, but it was really engrossing anyway and I read it multiple times.

BUT SHEESH THE ENDING IS SUCH A COP OUT. GOD.

A wonderful book! Surprisingly adult, incredibly thoughtful...this is my favorite. ( )

This book is so complete. I read it, and I questioned how this Aidan Chambers knew so much about me. I love this book beyond belief. It is so important to me. ( )

I read this while still in high school and it had a profound effect to make me realize that anyone at any age can suddenly drop dead. This really helped me to realize that I need to treasure my time on earth ,as well as that of those I love. ( )