I have read all of Mr. Lamb’s books, but this is my favorite. I read this book several years ago and chose to re-read it again, only this time the book seemed so different to me. This is a coming of age story. This is one of my best friend’s favorite books, and although I grew up with this person, and have known her for most of my life, I don’t think I ever really saw her. I had a picture of her in my head and it wasn’t till more recently I found out that she struggled just as I had with many life experiences: shyness, insecurity, fear of rejection, and rejection itself. This journey is extreme but I think one, many can relate to, not just because it’s about a fat girl who struggles with the male figures in her life, but because it’s a story of fear. The ones who put up the walls and avoid being part of the group will inevitably be left out. It is easy to believe that everyone looks at you a certain way after one bad experience, which can cause your insecurities and resulting bad habits to snowball. I don’t necessary think of the main character, Dolores as a heroine, but as simply human. She struggled, found help, succumbed to her addictions and destructive behavior again, and reached out. She let down her walls, let her friends help her and in return helped them. She finally let people love her, and believed that someone could see the beauty within her.