Eleanor and Park

Eleanor and Park, by Rainbow Rowell is a love story, but definitely not along traditional lines. Eleanor is a slightly overweight, red-haired teenager. Getting teased at school is almost as bad as her home life with four younger siblings, an abusive step-dad and a mother who doesn't stand up for herself or for Eleanor. Eleanor is smart and witty, but not what most people would consider typical. She has outbursts and wears only brightly colored hand-made or hand-me-down clothes. Anyone who is willing to get to know her would see that she is a great person. That's the problem though, no one does. Park is a shy boy, he is half Asian, kind, lonely, loves music, and is always reading comic books. He always has his headphones on, maybe to block out the sound of his dad trying to force him to be someone he isn't. When Eleanor and Park meet and slowly start to get to know each other they realize they are more alike than they ever thought, and even with their differences become close and help each other move past all boundaries.

Other important characters

• Ben, Maisie, Mouse, and Richard Jr. - Eleanor's younger siblings
• Richie - Eleanor's alcoholic, abusive step-father
• Josh - Park's popular younger brother who is already taller than him
• Sabrina - Eleanor's mother
• Jamie - A war veteran who wants his sons to be exactly like him

I think this book is good for ages 11+. Some topics readers should know about include: domestic abuse and romance. I would give this book 5 chickens. 

If you liked this book you should read: Attachments by Rainbow Rowell, All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven, Drowning is Inevitable by Shalanda Stanley or Fans of the Impossible Life by Kate Scelsa. 

If you liked Truest by Jackie Lea Sommers, Infinite In between by Carolyn Mackler, or A Step Toward Falling by Cammie McGovern you should enjoy this book.