Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Most kids dread riding the school bus. There’s no room to sit, there are annoying kids, and it is just an awkward situation. This is exactly how Eleanor felt, especially because she was new to the school and did not know anyone. Soon enough, however; the school bus becomes the only place Eleanor feels comfortable – because of Park. Park’s home life is pretty good – his parents love him and each other – but he’s one of the only Asian kids at school and he listens to bands no one has heard of.  He feels like a misfit, even inside his own house. Eleanor is a chubby redhead, and gets made fun of everyday because of it. Her stepdad, Richie, is abusive and makes her home life miserable.

Who knew these two high school students with nothing in common would fall in love? It turns out they actually have a lot in common. Their relationship starts off slow, with Park letting Eleanor borrow his comic books, and him giving her a CD of all his favorite songs. After a little while, their love for each other takes off intensely and unexpectedly. This book is set over the course of one school year, and is the story of two sixteen-year-olds who know that first love almost never lasts, but they still are willing to do anything to make it work.

Narrated by Eleanor and Park in alternating sections, this book is a perfect example of how first love really is. Although I have seen some reviewers of this book criticize that there is too much profanity, I do not believe it is too much for a high school student to handle and in fact I recommend that all teenagers read this book at some point!