1) Because it is beautiful, both the story and the language.
2) Because it is so funny.
3) Because it is tragic yet uplifting. Only tragic is no good, if you ask me.
4) Because Chris Cleave can really get inside your head, whether you’re a teenaged black girl or a 30-something white girl.
5) Because you can’t put it down or help but be moved by it, like, say, The Kite Runner, but neither do you have to be embarrassed because it is anything but soppy, naive or badly-written. It is, in fact, the opposite.
6) Because if you don’t like this, you need to have your head examined.

Update: Hmm…on second thoughts…