I picked this book at my local library because I recognized it from the publisher's catalogue. I was a really nice surprise!
I'm always a bit reluctant to read novels from Talents Hauts, because they're supposed to be about Novels About Important Issues and sometimes feel too didactic, the message too obvious (I'm thinking of D'un trait de fusain, about AIDS and
Act Up Paris), like novels that only librarians will read.
But this one is nice, for once we have a girl who is unashamed about her going through puberty (the chapter titles follow the development of her breasts!) and her sexual awakening.
The tone is candid, but in a good way. The love between her and her mom is sweet and feels real. Even though I'm not sure that all younger middle school students will relate, the message was really refreshing.
The issue of abuse from her step-father is dealt with quite intelligently, even though some passages are tough to read.