 She later moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, but decided to plot the book in New York in response to people who would express their sympathy about her growing up in Manhattan and "to write about the reality of growing up in a place of physical freedom, thrilling unpredictability, and a enormous, nourishing energy".The book is based on Charnas' experience of being bullied as a child.The original hardcover edition was published by Harcourt Brace Jovanovich and illustrated by artist Michael Hussar.