Here's why:
* Contemporary: The story is set in a modern time, dealing with issues relevant to today's teenagers.
* Realistic: While the story explores difficult topics like friendship, bullying, and family problems, it does so in a way that feels grounded in reality.
* Fiction: It is an invented story, but with themes and characters that resonate with real-life experiences.
* Young Adult: The characters are teenagers, and the story deals with issues and experiences typical of that age group.
While some readers might consider aspects of the book to be "coming-of-age" or even "social realism," the core genre remains contemporary realistic fiction for young adults.