Backlash by Sara De Lara

Lara is finally starting her freshman year at her new school, a new person. She lost weight, she got happier, and even made the cheerleading squad she thought she’d never make it on. One day she gets a message on Facebook from Christian Dewitt, and he is gorgeous. Lara cannot believe he messaged her because he's so sweet. She feels so lucky to have been messaged by him. Out of nowhere she gets awful messages from Christian telling her the world would be a better place without her in it. Lara has worked so hard to become pretty and happy and make new friends based on her experiences in middle school. Now she feels more ugly, depressed, and alone than she has ever felt before. Bree, Lara’s ex-best friend, used to be so close to Lara and was always there for her overweight, depressed friend in middle school. At one point she just couldn’t handle her anymore and left her side back in middle school. Secretly she was fond of what Christian said about Lara on her Facebook wall. Lara is not as perfect as everyone thinks. But no one expected Christian's harsh comments to push Lara where they did.
From reading this novel I have learned to never let people hurt me to the point of making me hate myself, even if they were my closest friend. I think the author's perspective on the world view is that no one person is perfect on this earth, each and every one of us have our faults and mistakes. I believe the author's purpose in writing this novel was to tell teens to always find a way to get through hards times in life, even if you feel at your weakest, always keep on going.
I found this book to be absolutely flawless. It was so heartwarming for me because it related so much to some of the hard times I have gone through in life and am going through now. I relate to the feelings Lara had about herself in the novel. This book really left an effect on me that I’ll always hold on to from now on.
If you’ve ever felt alone, depressed, or down about yourself and couldn't find a way to find relief from the pain you were experiencing, I believe this novel will encourage you to keep on going. Whether it be because you’ve been self conscious about yourself, have hurt yourself, lost a close friend for some reason you don’t even know, or any other self minimizing situations, I am certain you’ll be effected by this book in an amazingly positive way!