I was totally drawn into Lilys world feeling her optimistic and seemingly carefree approach to life despite her tragic circumstances. I'm now encouraging my daughter of 13 to read this story as I feel the lessons in the book are invaluable to all of us, namely that in the midst of destructive behaviour and sadistic culture we can still find those that show genuine love and human compassion! it really doesn't have to be people from our own family or even our own culture but when we find it we should stay close to them and learn to flourish along side them.