It may be that I was lucky enough to grow up in a household quite opposite that of the Walls that I am finding parts of this book hard to believe. Could it be that these parents got away with such utter neglect and, in my opinion abuse, because they moved so often? Chapter after chapter tell tales of parental cruelty. I found myself wondering if it could get much worse. I am having a hard time rating this book because while I couldn't put it down, I am left wondering if it was because I felt like I was driving by a train wreck. It was very well written and a moving story. I am left actually hoping that it was embellished.