This movie is one of those cases where the book did it better. Im pretty torn because I thought it was sorta interesting but it also stay nowhere close to the book. it had a sub-plot that is nowhere to be found in the original book. It took the serious, realistic aspect of the book and totally rejected to make it a LIGHT AND BUBBLY kids movie. Did I love this movie? no not really. Did I enjoy some of the comedy? Yes I did. Do I agree with the one star reviews? Yes but also no, its obviously that most of them didn't read the book.
PS: The ending is nothing like the book either, Rafe is supposed to get into a physical and bloody with Miller, get sent to the principal's office and then ends up getting expelled (but then ends up going to an) art school.