It's true crime (obviously). I have mixed feelings about this book. The crime and the questions it raises are fascinating. It's about a teenager who sets another teenager on fire in the back of a bus. The teen who got burned is genderqueer, so of course the media reported the crime as "man in a skirt gets set on fire." The teen who set the fire told the cops he did it because he's homophobic, but he also seemed confused about what "homophobic" means. It raises questions about what society should do with children who commit crimes. Should they be locked up forever, or should we give them leniency because they're kids whose brains aren't fully developed? Can teens be rehabilitated?

My mixed feelings come from the pacing. I don't think the author had enough material to fill an entire book. It's a short book, but it still feels really drawn out. I appreciate learning about the teens involved in the crime, but do we really need to hear from all their friends and family members? It gets repetitive. The book also left me with questions. The teen who set the fire had two friends with him when it happened. We don't learn much about them. Maybe the author couldn't get interviews with them? I don't know, but their perspectives seem important. They were direct witnesses to the crime. I also wanted to know about the skirt that became a fireball. I thought it was illegal to sell clothes that burn quickly? (Or is it only illegal to sell baby clothes that burn quickly? I feel like all of my baby's clothes have tags on them that brag about their ability to NOT become fireballs?)

Despite my unanswered questions, I liked the book. It's great for teens or adults who are interested in true crime but don't want to read anything gory or disrespectful to the victims. The victim doesn't die in this one. I especially recommend the book to anyone who is interested in the criminal justice system in the US.