I started reading this in the seventh grade, but only got to chapter eight because it I just couldn't take it. I love sad/dramatic/angsty books but Hoessini wrote with such honesty that I decided to drop it and pick it up later. I'm thinking that I should start reading it again before the movie comes out.  No release date yet due to some controversy surrounding certain scenes, but I heard it'll most likely come out in December '07 (Oscar movie month). I'll post when I find out a release date. I f you haven't read the book, I encourage you to do so (even though I haven't gotten through it).