I think one thing Vicki managed to do was help us to relate with these inner thoughts that Dotsie pointed out...don't you think? I mean I can remember having similar thoughts as these teens. Maybe our teen years weren't as open or forward (i.e., drinking/drugs) but the insecurities these children displayed are universal and cross generations. In a nutshell...the story was believable...

The peer pressure to conform, or to be #1, or to be cool, accepted, etc...all of these things were present in my generation as well as today's.

One of the most disturbing things about the story was the lack of communication between the teenagers and their parents. I may be way off, but I felt that was one of the most important messages handed to parents thru out the reading. I think Vicki was shouting, "Hindsight isn't good enough people! Listen up! Take heed!" yes? no?