This book is intended for the middle-grade (pre-teen) reader. Cynthia Kadohata, with that in mind, uses short, easy sentences and language that is almost lyrical in its simplicity. It is clear that the writer has a firm understanding not only of her audience, but of the maturity of her point of view character. Most of the chapters are short and to the point, the novel long enough to tell the story but short enough to keep the interest of even the most undisciplined pre-teen.