I thought this book was great! Ignore the nay Sayers & check it out for yourself ! Though some of the subject matter is sensitive ... All the more reason for people to read what they deny they hate. This is a great book on so many levels. I haven't read any of the "Wicked" books & had no idea what this book was about. I'm glad. I wouldn't have read it if I had read the synopsis , religion & aids aren't usually entertaining to me. This was. I'm also a person who spent some of my school years in Syracuse Ny. There were so many landmarks & expressions I forgot people used. It was heart warming. For all my friends, in and out of their fabulous closets, this book made me miss some of you terribly but be able to smile at the thought of you. This book is defiantly not for everyone . It's sad that that is still a fact. Regardless it was great for me. I related to a number of characters and am going to buy copies of this book for Christmas for friends I know will love it! By Mousehead & Tales standards this book earns $4, $, $, $,$! An enthusiastic $4.00 at that! -Clare Dooley / Mousehead & tales