"I hoped my father was right, that like the figures we carved from wood and soap, I was becoming who I was meant to be, the Naomi Soledad Leon Outlaw of my wildest dreams." This book is all about what it means to discover who you are as a person and to grow significantly through building relationships and going in search of the unexpected. Naomi's character reminds me of myself when I went through that phase of discovery and acceptance of who I am. As I read through the novel I had no idea what to expect, and ended up being mesmerized by the quality of the plot and character development. This is a coming of age story perfect for the intended upper elementary age group. Naomi discovers the meaning of love and acceptance, which is what every child is searching for in life. Early adolescents struggle with the concept of acceptance and often look for guidance in how to pursue their dreams. Naomi's character shows what its like to go through hardships while in search of her family unit, and she learns a great deal about herself, which she ends up coming to terms with by the end of the book. Naomi's brother also struggles with acceptance, as he is born with deformities that lose the affection of his mother. The bravery and determination of both Naomi and her brother show positive examples of how to deal with situations when you are viewed as different, by choosing your own unique path and sticking to it. Overall, I think this is one of my favorite books from this semester.