America was a much more complete book, but to judge this book on its own merits… It was well-written and creates a tense atmosphere around Alex’s interactions with peers and adults. You feel how trapped she is.

I have to say that I was worried about the way the teacher, Simon, reacts to Alex’s appropriately guarded actions. His childishness, the actual real IMpropriety of his actions and his blaming, seems to go unchecked. Makes me wonder what Frank was trying to achieve.