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Mar 13, 2019
This book was really sweet, but it didn’t quite live up to the hype, in my opinion. When I read a book like Eleanor and Park – where you have to have heard of it, and it’s a modern classic – I’m often reminded that it’s still just a book like any other; there are still faults and moments where you think you probably could have thought of something better. Like any other book, the plot moves too quickly in some spots. That being said, the good outweighs the bad. This is one of the first books I actually got lost in (I usually have a hard time focusing when I’m reading) and forgot to put down. I really, really appreciate that Eleanor and Park are described like kids in high school, and they’re still going through high school phases, and neither of them are perfect. I adore the fact that they were realistic, truly relatable characters, and we could see their faults and insecurities, and their actual teenage personalities. I love that they weren’t totally mature, or adult-like, the way a lot of fictional teens are. The ending of the book crushed my heart, and I think a different one would have been better. I think that as a whole it was incredibly sweet, though. 4/5 stars @aCardboardBox of the Hamilton Public Library's Teen Review Board What a fantastic book this was! I was so amazed by it that when I finally finished (mind you, I finished it in about 3 days. That’s how good it is!) I practically forced all my friends to give it a go. It was such a touching book. The two main characters Eleanor, a red headed confused teenager from an abusive home, and Park, a half Asian geek, slowly but surely fall in love while spending time with each other. Each chapter of the story was intricately written and beautiful behold. I really commend Ms Rowell for capturing the struggles faced during teenage hood realistically. How the story ended broke my heart completely and I’m honestly still not over it but oh well. Give this book a go, you won’t regret it! 4/5 Stars. @Bloop of the Hamilton Public Library Teen Review Board