Jim Maciel

This is a great book chronicling the remarkable life of Debra from childhood through her teen years. Being shy and living through constant moving as her mom married five times and put each new husband's needs ahead of her own children, Debra's life was far from ideal. Many times she was treated as on outcast and bullied without support from her mother and even her brother called her "a complete waste of space". By the time she was fortunate enough to make a new friend in school, she was uprooted and the whole process of being the new girl in school started over. One of the most poignant moments in her life was when she stood up to the high school bully and was roundly praised by other girls that had suffered for years from this guy. Through the few ups and many downs in her life, Debra not only is a survivor of constantly being demeaned, shamed, tortured and raped, she is a victor. After the story of her young life, the last few pages of the book are devoted to several of Debra's poems reflecting on her life. A definite must read.