What’s Happening at Cheshire Library in December

November 29, 2022November 18, 2022 / cheshirelib / Leave a comment

It’s cold outside, but we’ve got some hot programming to warm you up this month. Here’s some of what’s in store for December.

December Art Show–Assemblages by Sarah Schneiderman

All month

This month’s exhibition by Sarah Schneiderman, MFA tells the stories of some barrier breakers from marginalized groups and celebrates their wins.

TAB: Teen Advisory Board (Grades 6-12)

Thursday, December 1, 2022, 3:45 – 4:45pm
Thursday, December 15, 2022, 3:45 – 4:45pm Holiday Party!

The Teen Advisory Board is a group of teens in grades 6-12 who want to take an active part in helping the library and the community. Giveaways and snacks will be provided. Register on our volunteer Signup page and you will receive community service credit. You will earn 1 hour of community service credit for attending this event and 1 hour for every additional hour spent working on projects outside of the event.

Baby & Toddler Playgroup (Ages 0-36 months)

Wednesday, December 7, 2022, 10:00 – 10:30am
Tuesday, December 13, 2022, 10:00 – 10:30am

A playgroup for babies, toddlers, and their caregivers to socialize and connect. Children will enjoy unstructured play with their peers and age appropriate toys provided by the library. Registration is required. Best for ages 0-36 months and their caregivers.

Open Art Studio

Fridays from 1-3pm

Bring your works in progress and supplies to this weekly drop-in art program. This is an opportunity to create in a collaborative environment with other artists. No formal instruction will be provided, but informal critiquing for those who want it is encouraged. Table covers will be provided. There is a sink in the room for basic cleanup (please do not bring turpentine).

The Hot Flashes Holiday Concert

Saturday, December 3, 2022 2:00 – 3:00pm

The Hot Flashes will be returning to Cheshire to perform their popular holiday concert, blending upbeat, fun and familiar songs with more contemplative quiet music coupled with the Flashes’ captivating on-stage camaraderie.

Movie Matinees

Tuesday December 6: Somewhere in Time
Tuesday December 20: The Man Who Invented Christmas

Join us in the Library Loft for a movie on the big screen! No registration is required and movies begin at 1pm. Both movies this month are rated PG.

Cheshire Art League–Mike Berlinski Painting Demonstration

Wednesday, December 7, 2022, 6:30 – 8:00pm

The Cheshire Art League is hosting a presentation by guest artist, Mike Berlinski. Much of Mike’s work is created outdoors in the “plein-air” tradition. For this demonstration, he will set up his French easel and paint a small painting from a photo, describing the process and talking about some of the basics of the painting process along the way. Registration is not required.

Cat Tales Writers Group

Thursday, December 8 2022, 6:30 – 8:00pm

Join us for a monthly open writing group that can help answer your questions on writing, editing, grammar, and publishing. Read a selection of your work to the group for general constructive feedback, or discuss a book you’ve read that might help someone else. Registration is required.

John Singer Sargent: Master with a Brush

Thursday, December 8, 2022, 7:00 – 8:15pm

John Singer Sargent, a masterful nineteenth-century artist, is celebrated for his Grand Manner portraiture of the European and American elite. This online program will explore his most beloved as well as rarely seen images, including portraits, forays into Impressionism and stunning watercolors. Registration required. A Zoom link will be sent to your email one hour before the start of the program.

R & R Book Group (Grades 3-5)

Friday, December 9, 2022, 4:00 – 4:45pm

R & R (Reading & Relaxation) Book Group is an interactive book discussion group, that meets once a month. Refreshments will be served! December’s title: The Potato Chip Puzzles by Eric Berlin. Registration is required.

Caregiver Support Group

Wednesday, December 14, 2022, 12:00 – 1:00pm

A support group for caregivers to share tips, strategies, challenges, and successes. Caregivers of all types are welcome, including spouses and adult children caring for relatives, caregivers to children, and professional caregivers. Registration is required.

Adult Loft Knitters

Wednesday, December 14, 2022, 6:30 – 8:00pm

Come socialize, learn, and share your techniques with other knitters. Experience the relaxing and calming effect of knitting. All levels of adult knitters are welcome. Please bring your own yarn and knitting needles (crocheters are also welcome!). This group meets monthly, please register in advance.

Preschool Playgroup

Thursday, December 15, 2022, 10:00 – 10:30am

A playgroup for preschoolers and their caregivers to socialize and connect. Preschoolers can enjoy unstructured play with their peers and age appropriate toys provided by the library. Best for ages 3-5 months and their caregivers. Registration is required.

Library After Hours: Bingo Night

Friday, December 16, 2022, 5:00 – 7:30pm

Bring your good luck charms to an evening of action-packed Bingo excitement! Snacks and drinks will be available, but feel free to bring your own. We will also have an ugly sweater competition! Wear your ugliest sweater and the winner will take home a special prize! Players of all ages are welcome. Registration is required for each person and will be checked at the door. Bingo as well as other interactive games will be played from 5:30-7:00pm in the Mary Baldwin Room. The Children’s room, lobby, and lower level will be closed during this event.

Family Storytime

Saturday, December 17, 2022, 11:00 – 11:30am

Family Storytime is a drop-in, interactive storytime for children and family members! Learn through talking, singing, reading, writing, and playing! This storytime is for children of all ages. No registration is required.

Winter Ball (Ages 0-5)

Wednesday, December 21, 2022, 10:30 – 11:30am

You are cordially invited to the Winter Ball! Please join us on the twenty first of December at ten thirty in the morning at the Cheshire Public Library. There will be music, dancing, playing, and crafts. We request formal attire. Best for ages 0-5. Please register each child. Costumes or formal attire is strongly encouraged.

Cocoa & Cookies Storytime

Thursday, December 22, 2022, 6:30 – 7:00pm

Cocoa & Cookies Storytime is a drop-in, interactive storytime for children of all ages! Enjoy cocoa & cookies and learn through talking, singing, reading, writing, and playing! This storytime is for children of all ages. No registration is required.

Jigsaw Puzzle Competition

Tuesday, December 27, 2022, 2:00 – 4:30pm

Looking to get out of the house in the middle of all the winter holidays? Grab your best puzzling buddies and see who’s the fastest puzzler of them all! Winner gets a puzzle prize and bragging rights! This is a great opportunity to do something fun with visiting friends and family. Sign up as a team of 3-5 people, or sign up as a single or pair and we’ll place you on a larger team. You’ll have two hours to complete a 500-piece jigsaw puzzle, provided by the library. Please leave personal puzzling equipment at home. We will provide puzzle trays and snacks. Registration required. To accommodate as many participants as possible, registrations will go on the wait list for staff to review, and you will be notified when your registration is approved. Priority will be given to Cheshire residents.

Crazy Librarian’s Office: Teen Escape Room (Grades 6-12)

Tuesday, December 27, 2022, 3:00pm – 4:00pm

A teen escape room set in a “Crazy Librarian’s Office”, work as a team to solve the puzzles and get the final prize! For teens in grades 6-12. Registration required.

Teen Book Reviews: All the Bright Places and Thoughts & Prayers

November 22, 2022November 9, 2022 / cheshirelib / Leave a comment

Teens: did you know that you can earn community service credit for writing a book review and submitting it to us? Today, we’ll hear from two teens who did just that. Find out more about how to earn community service hours from home at cheshirelibrary.org/teens/.

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven. Reviewed by Anja J.

This book had me in tears. If you ever have one of those feelings where you just want to read a book and cry, this is the book to pick off the shelf. I was able to finish this book within a week. The story starts off with Violet Markey standing on the ledge of the bell tower of her high school. It wasn’t until a boy, who goes by Finch showed up, did she stop thinking about what it would be like if she jumped. After this encounter, Finch takes an interest in why he found Violet on that ledge that day, and Violet wonders how it ended up being the school outcast and “freak” that basically saved her life. The two are then assigned together on a project that gives them a chance to answer their questions about one another and learn even more.

This story, however sad it may be, was beautifully written and explores the experiences of teenagers and mental health. The quick paced story had me smiling at many parts and borderline sobbing at others. As I teenager myself, reading this book significantly impacted me. It showcased the struggles of teenagers that know one really knows and how it can impact daily life. There are not many books written this spectacularly that focus on sensitive issues like these. Jennifer Niven worked wonders when she wrote this book as she intimately described these two characters and how they fit each other perfectly.

Reading this book gives an insight into how people can fall victim to their own minds. The feeling of being lonely in a crowded room or out of touch and control is perfectly demonstrated. The intrusive thoughts of death play a big role in this novel, and it is seen how Violet and Finch are each others tethers that keep each other going every day. Despite tragedy in the book, the writing is magnificent and the feelings that ignite in you while reading it will have you full of joy or borderline sobbing.

4 stars.

Thoughts and Prayers by Bryan Bliss. Reviewed by Ima T.

Thoughts and Prayers by Bryan Bliss, is an impactful novel of today’s world. It follows the perspectives of three teenagers — Claire, Eleanor and Brezzen, completely different people who seem to have nothing in common. Eleanor is a popular basketball player, Brezzen is a gamer, and Claire only has a few close friends. The one thing that unites them is that they all hid under the same set of stairs during a school shooting.

Every character deals with this issue in different ways, and this is what Bliss explores in the novel. Claire becomes a shell of her old self. While she was introverted before the incident, she turned into herself even more. Eleanor did her best to move on after the shooting, but she’s angry that none of the adults are doing anything to stop the jokes about the shootings. She experiences a lot of prejudice as well, since she is a feminist that none of the conservatives in town can relate to. Brezzen chooses to stay home, getting home schooled. He has to fight the battle of going back to school and feeling safe. The entire situation is very relevant nowadays, because of the constant barrage of news about school shootings.

I would highly recommend this book to kids in high school. It’s very impactful to read about kids who are the age of high schoolers, but struggling to understand the impact of the negative events that can destroy people’s lives. Claire, Eleanor, and Brezzen each provide different lessons that any reader can relate to, even if they are not a star athlete or avid gamer. This story gets even more relatable still because of the first hand perspective of each person. It’s interesting to see how differently they all view each other and the scenario since they all experienced the same thing at the same time. I would highly recommend Thoughts and Prayers to whichever reader wants to truly understand not only the horrors of school shootings, but the hope and resilience that can follow.

5 stars

Teen Book Reviews: the “Raven Cycle” series

November 1, 2022October 13, 2022 / cheshirelib / Leave a comment

Teens: did you know that you can earn community service credit for writing a book review and submitting it to us? Today, we’ll hear from someone who did just that. Find out more about how to earn community service hours from home at cheshirelibrary.org/teens/.

The Raven Cycle consists of four books, all reviewed below. WARNING: Possible spoilers exist.

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater. Reviewed by Mia V.

The Raven Boys is the first book in the Raven Cycle, and is the story of four prep school boys, Adam, Ronan, Gansey and Noah, who embark on a journey to find the deceased Welsh king, Glendower. Adam is a poor farm boy with an abusive father, while Ronan is a somewhat scary and viciously protective friend, and Gansey is an extremely passionate and extremely wealthy boy who simply wants to find Glendower. And Noah… well we don’t know a lot about Noah other than that he is friends with the other Raven Boys.

Blue, the daughter of a psychic, also finds herself swept up in the quest to find Glendower, while she tries to make sense of the prophecy her mother has given her; that she will cause her true love to die. Despite coming from a family of clairvoyants, Blue does not possess the ability to see into the future. Although she initially dislikes the snobby, prep-school boys, she later becomes close friends with all of them.

The four boys spend practically all of their time together, at their school Aglionby Academy, and at their own place, Monmouth Manufacturing. Gansey leads Adam, Ronan, Noah and Blue, on the quest to find Glendower which proves to be both frustrating and dangerous. Gansey and his friends find themselves competing with Mr. Whelk, their high school Latin teacher. Mr. Whelk has his own reasons for finding Glendower, which are revealed later as the race to Glendower commences. Blue and the Raven Boys uncover shocking secrets and supernatural powers as they try to find Gansey’s king.

The Raven Boys is a beautifully adventurous novel with many supernatural elements and crazy occurrences. I also enjoyed the witty humor of many of the characters as well as their unique personalities and hobbies (and their secrets). Overall I would definitely recommend this book. But get ready to read the next three Raven Cycle books (which are just as good or maybe even better than the first,) because this book ends on a cliffhanger.

4 stars.

The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater. Reviewed by Mia V.

The second book in the Raven Cycle focuses more on Ronan rather than Gansey. The Dream Thieves focuses on Ronan’s ability to bring items from his dreams to the real world and his struggle with controlling this power. Ronan tells his friends Gansey, Blue, Adam and Noah, about this skill early in the novel. Ronan and his friends had already been on a supernatural quest to find “Gansey’s king”, Glendower, who is a deceased Welsh king. At Aglionby Academy, the private school that Ronan, Adam and Gansey attend, Ronan’s brother, Declan is badly beaten by a sinister man who calls himself the Gray Man. The Gray Man was hired by a powerful man who wants to find the Greywaren, an object that can bring items back from dreams. Even though Declan knows his brother is the Greywaren and that it is not a physical object, he keeps his mouth shut to keep his brother safe.

Meanwhile, in the hunt for Glendower, Ronan finds himself accidentally bringing horrifying and powerful creatures back from his dreams. Ronan and his friends have to battle Ronan’s uncontrollable dream-nightmare creatures while continuing the quest to find Glendower. Simultaneously, Ronan is being hunted down by the Gray Man, who is out to kill Ronan because of his ability to bring things back from his dreams. This book is fantastic, and possibly my favorite out of all four of the Raven Cycle books.

The stakes have definitely been raised since the last book, with all of the characters experiencing more risks in the quest to find Glendower. Meanwhile, Ronan battles some deep internal issues which manifest in the things he brings back from his dreams, which can sometimes be dangerous. This book is great and I highly recommend it!

5 stars.

Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater. Reviewed by Mia V.

Blue Lily, Lily Blue is the third book in the Raven Cycle, which continues the tale of Gansey, Ronan, Adam, Noah and Blue, and their quest to find Glendower, a dead Welsh king, whom Gansey feels a strange connection with. This connection has led him to embark on a quest to find Glendower, a quest that he drags his friends on as well.

After the friends discover Ronan’s ability to bring items and creatures back from his dreams in the previous novel, it is discovered that Adam also has a unique power. Henrietta, Virginia, the town where the book takes place, has a large ley line running directly through the town. Blue’s family of psychics are very familiar with ley lines, which emit energies that psychics are able to harness to help see the future. These energies are also responsible for the various supernatural occurrences in Henrietta. Adam discovers that he can harness the power of the ley lines with the help of Peresphone.

Meanwhile, the Raven Boys and Blue discover a new threat in an artifact collector, Colin Greenmantle who targets Blue’s mom, Maura. As the group continues their search for Glendower they discover many strange and supernatural occurrences. The Raven Boys and Blue navigate new territories, and encounter unexpected surprises in their quest to find Glendower. Blue and her family unveil new prophecies that tell terrible fates for some of the characters, and reveal hidden secrets. I really enjoyed this book.

Although I feel like the other Raven Cycle books are better, I still really enjoyed this book, and I know that the Raven Cycle would not be complete without Blue Lily, Lily Blue. This book sets the reader up perfectly for the last book in the series, The Raven King.

4 stars.

The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater. Reviewed by Mia V.

The Raven King is the final book in the Raven Cycle series, which completes the story of the Raven Boys and Blue, as well as their search for Glendower. Noah, the friendly ghost-friend, Ronan, with his powers in pulling objects from his dreams, Adam with his power to harness the energy of the ley lines, Blue the psychic’s daughter and Gansey, their fearless leader, face many challenges in finding Glendower.

Their quest has stretched out for a very lengthy period of time, and has taken a toll on many of the characters. However this quest for Glendower seems it may finally come to a close, though not without many obstacles and near-death experiences. One of which occurs when Gansey and his friends make a major blunder by awakening a demon which is set upon “unmaking” the world. Meanwhile, Cabeswater is in danger of dying due to a strange sickness. As black ooze drips out of the beloved trees of Cabeswater, Gansey and his friends become increasingly more concerned about the health of Cabeswater. Perhaps more terrifying, Adam, with his deep connection to Cabeswater, finds himself falling apart along with Cabeswater.

The quest to find Glendower becomes increasingly complex as new threats rear their ugly heads and time begins to run out. The final book closes the series with a dramatic flare as prophecies are tragically fulfilled and demons are fought. Additionally, during The Raven King, romantic relationships that were hinted at during the previous books are finally made official.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys adventurous books that involve the supernatural. The Raven King closes off the Raven Cycle with a fantastic ending that helps finish the Raven Boys’ story, while leaving an opening to other related books in the future (like Call Down the Hawk). All in all, highly recommended.

5 stars.

What’s Happening at Cheshire Library in November

October 25, 2022October 19, 2022 / cheshirelib / Leave a comment

It’s Book Sale month! A lot of other great programs are coming your way in November, as well, here’s a sampling:

November Art Show: Gary Lohr photography

Gary Lohr is a local self-taught photographer with fifty years of experience.
The majority of his work falls into the category of personally inspired photography. Come see selections of his work on display in the Mary Baldwin room in November.

Write a Letter to a Veteran

Tuesday, November 1 – Saturday, November 5

Stop by the Children’s Room anytime Tuesday, Nov. 1st to Saturday, Nov. 5th to write a letter to or draw a picture for a veteran. We will provide the paper and drawing or writing materials; you provide the creativity! If you would like to write a letter at home, please drop it off at the library by 4:00PM on Saturday so it can be mailed in time for Veterans Day. Letters should not be sealed and should be signed with first names only (no last names, please).

Cheshire Art League: Frank Bruckmann Painting Demo

Wednesday, November 2, 2022, 6:30 – 8:00pm

The Cheshire Art League is hosting guest artist Frank Bruckmann for an oil painting demonstration. Frank will use sketches from a recent European trip as the basis for his demonstration. No registration required.

TAB: Teen Advisory Board (Grades 6-12)

Thursday, November 3, 2022, 3:45 – 4:45pm
Thursday, November 17, 2022, 3:45 – 4:45pm

Tanzania Safari Talk

Thursday, November 3, 2022, 6:30 – 8:00pm

A Tanzanian Safari tour talk with many photographs to 4 National parks highlighting the Great Migration in the Serengeti. This will include all the big 5 animals (lions, leopards, cape buffalo, elephants and rhinoceros). Also, photographs of some of the most beautiful birds in the world along with many other species common to Africa. Ron Kochman will narrate, explain, and answer any questions after completion of the show. Registration is required.

FALL BOOK SALE

Preview night for Friends of the Library members: Wednesday November 9, 5:00-8:00pm

Book Sale hours:

Thursday November 10, 9:00am – 8:00pm
Friday November 11, 9:00am – 4:30pm
Saturday November 12, 9:00am – 4:30pm
Sunday November 13, 11:00am – 3:00pm

Friends of the Library Fall Book Sale! We have Fiction, Non-fiction, YA, Children’s books, Movies, CDs, and MORE! On Sunday, fill a bag with books for one special price: $10 for the first bag, $5 for each additional bag. The Friends will provide the bags. Credit cards accepted.

Baby Playgroup (Ages 0-12 months)

Tuesday, November 15, 2022, 10:00 – 10:30am

A playgroup for babies and their caregivers to socialize and connect. Babies can enjoy unstructured play with their peers and age appropriate toys provided by the library. In order to maintain a safe environment, we request no older siblings, please.

Cheshire Residents: Cheshire residents may register beginning on November 1st.
Non-Residents: Non-residents may register starting on November 8th.

Ready to Read Book Club (Grades K-2)

Tuesday, November 15, 2022, 4:00 – 4:45pm

Get your children engaged in reading by participating in our newest book club! Designed to foster a love of reading, learning and connecting with others. We’ll discuss our book of the month (in November, it’s Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora), play some games and participate in some hands on crafts and/or activities to keep learning fun! Registration is required.

Good, Cheap, and Healthy Cooking Demo

Tuesday, November 15, 2022, 6:30 – 8:00pm

Chef Nadine Nelson will show us how to eat well on $4 a day in this interactive cooking demo, based on recipes from the cookbook Good and Cheap by Leanne Brown. Registration is required.

Caregiver Support Group

Wednesday, November 16, 2022, 12:00 – 1:00pm

Adult Loft Knitters

Wednesday, November 16, 2022, 6:30 – 8:00pm

Toddler Playgroup (Ages 12-36 months)

Thursday, November 17, 2022, 10:00 – 10:30am

A playgroup for toddlers and their caregivers to socialize and connect. Toddlers can enjoy unstructured play with their peers and age appropriate toys provided by the library. Best for ages 12-36 months and their caregivers.

Cheshire Residents: Cheshire residents may register beginning on November 3rd.
Non-Residents: Non-residents may register starting on November 10th.

Cat Tales Writers Group

Thursday, November 17 2022, 6:30 – 8:00pm

Sensory Storytime (Ages 2-5)

Sensory storytime is designed to engage children through movement, music, stories and sensory activity play. This program is designed for children with special needs, including sensory challenges, social integration, and developmental delays. Best for children ages 2-5.

Cheshire Residents: Cheshire residents may register beginning on November 4.
Non-Residents: Non-residents may register starting on November 11.

Coding Club: ProjectCSGIRLS (Grades 6-8)

Saturday, November 19, 2022, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Saturday, December 3, 2022, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Saturday, December 10, 2022, 10:00am – 12:00pm

ProjectCSGIRLS is a 501(c)(3) international nonprofit organization dedicated to closing the gender gap in computing and technology. The program will focus on the basics of python and AI and will culminate in a “Choose-your-own-adventure” storybook for kids. All are welcome. Please register once to attend all three classes.

Concert for Violin and Piano: Emil Altschuler and Mana Tokuno

Saturday, November 19, 2022, 2:00 – 3:15pm

Acclaimed violinist Emil Altschuler and pianist Mana Tokuno are presenting a virtuoso violin recital program. The program will feature works by Vivaldi, Paganini, Franck and more, including Gershwin’s An American In Paris. Please join us for this very special concert hall-worthy experience. No registration is required.

Pajama Storytime (Ages 2+)

Tuesday, November 22, 2022, 7:00 – 7:30pm

Put on your pajamas and fuzzy slippers and stop by for a fun-filled evening of stories, songs, and adventures! Best for ages 2 and up. Registration is not required.

Preschool Playgroup (Ages 3-5)

Tuesday, November 29, 2022, 10:00 – 10:30am

Cheshire Residents: Cheshire residents may register beginning on November 15th.
Non-Residents: Non-residents may register starting on November 22nd.

Register for a Book Club:

Mystery Book Club – Nov 17, 1:00pm (online)

Books Over Cocoa – Nov. 17, 7:00pm

Books Over Coffee – Nov. 30, 12:00pm

Teen Book Reviews: The Unhoneymooners and Eleanor & Park

October 4, 2022September 28, 2022 / cheshirelib / Leave a comment

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren. Reviewed by Caroline O.

Meet Olive, a nerdy science loving girl who is shy and awkward. Olive has a twin, Ami, and even though they are total opposites, they still have an unbreakable bond. That is, until it is broken. Olive has the worst luck and everything that can go wrong, goes wrong. On the other hand, Ami gets everything to somehow go her way and she may be the luckiest person on Earth. Any contest that Ami has ever entered in, she has won, so it is no surprise when Ami wins a free, non-refundable honeymoon trip to Hawaii. This luck seems to last up until her wedding day when everyone that ate out of the free, buffet style meal that she won, gets food poisoning. Everyone, that is, except for Olive, who has food allergies, and Ethan, who is a germophobe and refuses to eat out of buffets.

Ami and her husband suggest that Olive and Ethan go on the trip together, since it is non-refundable and the newlyweds are too sick to go. This sounds like a great plan, besides the fact that Ethan and Olive hate each other! Not to mention that these two would have to act as if they had just gotten married. Ethan is the groom’s brother, who can come off as being cocky and arrogant. This was exactly Olive’s first impression of him when they met at a family event awhile back. With Ami being the pushy older twin that she is, Olive and Ethan reluctantly board the plane. Bickering of course. The trip is going somewhat smoothly until Ethan realizes he may not hate Olive as much as he thought.

This book is an amazing read, especially during the summertime. The author does an exceptional job at using imagery and emotional appeal to drag the reader further and further into the book. Not to mention that the book never gets old, and is never boring. The book starts and ends with pure chaos, which is unlike a lot of books that I have ever read. I personally like how the Christina Lauren duo writes their books. In their pieces, they tend to write at least an excerpt from every single character in the book, whether it is a small character or a main character.

5 stars.

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell. Reviewed by Caroline O.

Eleanor & Park is a phenomenal book that captures the life of two characters, Eleanor and Park. Eleanor is someone who is not as comfortable in her body as most of her sixteen year old peers at school. Eleanor also has an unstable home life with an abusive step-father and a mother that has no control. Eleanor’s family is quite large, including her four little siblings, three of which are biological siblings and one step-brother. This does not seem to be an issue except for the fact that they live in a 2 bedroom apartment, meaning that all of the kids have to share a bedroom with one bath. On the nights that Richie, the step-dad, gets extra abusive and wakes up the kids, with the excessive crashing of objects getting thrown outside their bedroom, Eleanor has to sit there and comfort every one of them. To escape her reality, Eleanor loves to read, but this only makes her an outcast at school. Will she ever find somewhere safe where she can be herself?

Park lives down the street from Eleanor which means that they are on the same bus, where he notices and later meets Eleanor. Park finds that he is actually quite similar to Eleanor. Despite the differences in home life, they are both misfits in their school and begin to bond over that. Park begins to look forward to talking with Eleanor on the bus until there is a period of time when Eleanor does not come to school. This raises Park’s curiosity and he asks his parents if they have ever heard of her family since they had to have lived near each other. Both his parents look at each other and tell him how her house is not necessarily the safest place. Park immediately puts the pieces together and is determined to find her. Through this journey he learns that he may like her more than just in a friend way.

I enjoyed this book a lot because of how quickly the audience can feel as if they are there and in the same room as the characters. The book also is not a hard read, I have found that certain books can be hard to get into for the first few chapters, but this book is different. I was able to enjoy the story very early on in the book and it was upsetting to learn that there was not a sequel to go along with it. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a romance novel that will take you through all of the emotions including guilt, happiness, sadness, and curiosity.

4 stars.