Bryce and Juli have been neighbors for the past six years or so. For six years, Juli has been in love with Bryce. The feeling is not mutual, but Bryce cannot bring himself to tell Juli this. Juli finds out what Bryce really thinks about her eventually though, which breaks her heart. Bryce soon comes to realize that he does love Juli, but it may be a little too late.
I would recommended this book to fifth and sixth graders. The relationship issues between Bryce and Juli are at a sweet, innocent level that a majority of middle and high schoolers would find boring, but preteens would find highly interesting. The alternating point-of-view between Bryce and Juli is perfect for this story and very powerful. Personally, I hated Juli in the first chapter because Bryce's narration of Juli painted her with such disdain. By the time I learned Juli's side of the story, I was completely understanding of her behavior. The multitude of conflicts going on within the main plot of this story definitely provide an insight into the world of its targeted readers: financial woes, school projects, varying levels of family issues, first loves, first kisses, betrayal, loss. Readers will be able to see a little bit of themselves and their own families in many characters who make an appearance in the novel. Without a doubt, by the book's end readers will have grown so close to the characters of Juli and Bryce that they will be frustrated not to find out whether they become boyfriend/girlfriend in the future. They will have learned however, to be kind for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle, which is reinforced in a few ways throughout the novel.
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