Excerpt: 'Wise Girl' by 'Sopranos' Star  As I write this book
and relive my experiences, I can see that I'm not the same
person I was three years ago. When I watch the first-season
episodes of The Sopranos, I think, "Who is that girl?" I was so
wide-eyed and naive back then. Now, I'm a stronger person, and
I'd like to think I'm smarter, too. I'm not talking 1600s-on-
the-SATs smart, I'm talking life-smart. I was thrust into an
adult world at a very young age — I've been performing since I
was eight. Maybe all I've been through has taught me to
appreciate things more — simple things, like sharing quesadillas
on the set with my "mom" Edie Falco, or hanging out on Christmas
break with my best buddies and laughing at each other's dumb
jokes. There isn't a day that goes by that I'm not grateful for
all that I have and all that I'm doing. But beyond the success,
I've also been given this great gift: As an entertainer, I get
to reach people and maybe, just maybe, make a difference in
their lives.  So why me? Well, wh