Finalist for 2008 National Book Award in Young People's Literature

Story of a Girl by by Sara Zarr. Yikes! Being caught in the act by your father .... at age.. 13! Well, this is the story of Deanna who was in fact caught by her dad with her brother's friend, Tommy. This is the incident that haunts her for the rest of her school days, until the end of her sophomore year where she decides to take charge of her life. One lesson learned is that one incident in your life can either make you or break you. In this case, it practically broke Deanna since she was labeled as the school's slut. Living a life always thinking about what other people are thinking of you is no life to live. Deanna starts taking control of herself and during that summer she gets a job where incidently, she is met up with Tommy after 3 years since that day. After learning to accept and forgive herself and others, is then that she moves on. This is a book I would recommend for middle and high school students who might be already exploring sex and maybe learn a lesson or two about the consequences their actions might have.