“This book is not well written,but that's not my primary complaint about it. The author comes across as overly privleged ,spoiled,immature,self serving, and selfish,and she proudly admits that she ia an active addict,even as she sets out to be a role model for troubled,homeless teenagers. She was warned(actually prohibited) early on to avoid becoming overly involved in any of the girls lives or choosing favorites when she became a volunteer at a homeless shelter where she once spent 2 months (big deal) as a resident. She ignores this advice and becomes deeply involved in Sam's life. The author sees herself as some kind of savior,and becomes incensed when she realizes the young woman she has set out to save has been lying about some aspects of her past, at which point the author confronts the young woman, and sets out to find the truth about her past,effectively ailienating Sam. Of course our beloved author feels perfectly justified in her feelings of anger and betrayal,and proceeds to write a book to purge the awful experience of being such an incredibly selfless and giving person,and then getting burned. What did she expect? What is the point of this book? What is the message ? From the beginning, the author's obsession with this troubled young girl is unhealthy and suspect,and the author probably did the young girl more harm than good through befriending her, if only because she was such a mess herself,and clearly needed to be in therapy instead of haplessly trying to be an inspiration and role model for those as leastas troubled as herself. Rarely has a book infuriated me as much as this one,if only because I don't believe anyone deserves to profit from someone else's troubles. And surely Erlbaum will profit from this lurid account of another person's private pain,wherein she has cast herself as the long suffering betrayed savior, and hero.UGH! Don't waste yor time.”
Lisa S wrote this review Monday, March 10 2008.
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