This book honestly earns all five of its stars. The characters are likeable, the plot moves, and everyone seems so real. I was moved by Ariel's poetry and her teacher's determination to help her shine. The author's love for her characters shines through in every chapter. I loved the end, when Leah is having her baby and her mother gives her all the advice she can-it's too late to back out and it's time to keep moving. This is a really moving picture of a father-daughter relationship in which they both have trouvle communicating effectively but the love is still strong. It's a photo of a mother who has never gotten to show her children her teue face, void of makeup and with all her flaws on display. This book is a growing up novel for every character in it and each one shows realistic movement, even if it's lateral. These people are a true family.