I read this book maaany years ago... I mean, this is a 1977 book that has always been a children's favorite, and it blew my mind when I read it when I was about 13 or 14. I had a friend with whom I had a very similar relationship as Jess had with Leslie, and the book really hit home. However, this was many years ago and I hadn't read as much as I have now. I would recommend this book to any young adult or adult as light reading, but always remembering it's a children's book.