Bernardo does a good job of painting her characters' situation and feelings in sharp, descriptive passages.

For example, a well-observed analogy conveys the depth of Tere's feelings: Tere's attention wandered. She stared out the window where loud blue jays chased a sparrow off the tree. The little bird flew away and found safety in a tiny hole under the eaves of a school building. Tere understood the sparrow's problem, but she envied him. At least he had a place to hide.

This passage is an effective visualization of Tere's inner life, making it concrete and understandable. Bernardo's descriptions also create memorable pictures that help put readers into the action of the moment: Tere wished Mrs. Martin would stop looking for answers from the quiet students. She pulled her shiny, brown hair forward like a dark curtain, hiding her face.

Any teacher is likely to recognize this...