Rainbow Rowell grabbed at my heartstrings with the beautifully written novel. I know there is controversy over parts of the book, but I think it opens up a discussion surrounding "know better, do better" and that we shouldn't censor historical fiction.
Aside from that, the themes of love, family, and class are deep. It is set in the 1980s, and in my opinion, it paints quite a realistic picture of that era. I was born in the early 80s, and reading Eleanor + Park's story felt so familiar. I'm also a huge fan of New Wave music, and this novel explored some of my favorite bands, so I appreciated that.
The hardships the characters endure are mature, and this novel would probably resonate more with older teens. It offers some exposure to real-world problems their peers may be experiencing.
I've divided the chapters into sections and consolidated critical thinking questions for discussion after. To get your free copy, visit this link.
Here is just one sample page of questions that is included:
To see all of my available book club material, just click this link!
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