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| Image from RRHS Catalog |
Eleanor is a bit of a misfit. An overweight teen with wild red hair and a unique sense of style, she just doesn't fit in. New in town, Eleanor is immediately rejected by everyone on the bus except Park. Park casually lets Eleanor sit by him, but they ignore each other. Gradually with time, she starts reading his comics over his shoulder, and as he notices this, he begins lending them to her overnight. They eventually develop a great friendship. Eleanor lives at home with her mom, many younger siblings, and an abhorrent step-father. She isn't welcome there by him and had previously been kicked out of his house. At school, the local (mean) girls (and guys) are ruthless. Park tries to stand up for her but Eleanor doesn't want the pity-support. Because Eleanor is insecure with herself, issues arise too with meeting Park's family. However, Park stands by her through and through.
I love this book and have read/listened to it many times. The characters are personable, and you feel that Eleanor and Park are genuinely your friends. This is a classic YA coming-of-age fiction: boy meets girl, boy and girl sort out family and identity issues, boy and girl seek refuge in their relationship. If you love the typical John Green novel, I believe you will fall in love with this book as well.
- Dawn Dickerson, RRHS Faculty