I picked this book out at random in the public library since I wanted a small book. But when I got into it, and read about Princess Phones and the Presidents program for youth fitness, I started to realize that this was a period piece. That is my favorite form of writing. So, I spend my time looking for clues. The Princess Phone was introduced in 1959. But it was really only like a status symbol cool thing in the early 1960s. I have this feel for history, and I believe I narrowed down my guess to 1962. I wanted to write the author, but she gives out her home address, but no email. She even has her own website.I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in recent history as told from the point of view of a teenager. I would like to know if there are similar books about other time periods.