Reading BLOG by Narda Lugo: Eleanor and Park

Rowell, R. (2013). Eleanor and Park. NY: Saint Martin Press.

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Summary: Eleanor and Park, has a character named Eleanor who is a poor teenage girl with several little siblings and an abusive stepfather. She not knowing falls in love with Park who is a middle class biracial (Asian/White) boy that she meets on a school bus ride to school. At first they are too embarrassed to admit their feelings towards each other but, eventually they even go public with their feelings. Unfortunately this ends with Park violently striking Steve who is gossiping about Eleanor. Their connection grows as Eleanor tries to survive with her tragic household circumstances. Her home life becomes unbearable and with the help of Park and his father, she successfully runs away with her aunt and uncle. At the end, she finally writes a letter to Park to declare her love.

Strengths:

Eleanor and Park is a novel that has characters dealing with several developmental criteria’s, even though Eleanor is dealing with a dysfunctional home environment her also transitioning into a woman. She is going through the emotional/mental/physical developmental criteria’s that have her dealing with a lot. Park is meets the criteria of physical/emotional with not understanding why he is feeling like he is towards Eleanor in the beginning and not knowing how to help her from her home environment. This book recommended ages are from 13 and up.