The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

This is the story of Susie Salmon. When the story opens she is already in "heaven" telling the reader her story.

Susie was viciously raped and murdered by her neighbor Mr. Harvey. The details of that crime are in the first few pages of this novel. The rest of the story is Susie's account of how her family and friends cope with her death. Also about how she herself copes with her death. Susie is in what she calls "my heaven".

It was a struggle for me to get through this book. Since the movie came out a lot of the students at work are asking for this book. I do not think it is appropriate for the middle school age student. The rape and murder scene is pretty graphic. There are other references to sex throughout the story. Not a story for me, but others may find it to their liking.