What’s so great about ? what happened to Discussion Questions for • Describe McLean. What makes her a dynamic character? Are there elements in her life that remind you of your own What Happened to Goodbye experiences? Read them all!

PUFFIN LOGO 2004 goodbye • How does constructing the model of the town help connect PUFFIN LOGO 2004 #1 New York Times Bestseller he’s used to counting on no one and answering to nobody. • As the novel opens, and Mclean and her father visit Luna Blu ver since her parents’ divorce, Auden has been unable to sleep. But all of that changes when her mother vanishes and Ruby She’s built a routine that gets her through each night, but when is sent to live with her older sister, Cora. Now Ruby’s got her Mclean to her new friends and community? In what ways the opportunity comes for her to spend her summer at the Front / Back cover Front / Back cover own room in a fabulous new house, she’s going to private school, Ebeach with her father and his new family, she jumps at the chance to and—for the first time—feeling as if she has a future. Plus, there’s break out of her rut. the adorable and sweet boy next door, Nate.Everything should be for the first time, he tells her, “I see potential here” (page 1). But life at the beach proves more challenging than Auden expects. perfect. So why is Ruby so wary? And why is Nate keeping her at In addition to trying to figure out how she fits in to her father’s new along a distance? Ruby soon comes to realize that sometimes, in order to does this project bring out the best in each of the life, she also has to navigate the girls at work with their gossip and save yourself, you’ve got to reach out to someone else. friendship and crushes. But then there’s Eli, a fellow insomniac who becomes her nocturnal tour guide. With an endless supply of long for the What can readers infer about Gus from his reaction? In what summer nights between them, almost anything can happen… “Dessen’s best since . . . it will captivate all readers.” participants? What do the others get from the experience? Ruby canride take—VOYA care of herself. H“All the Dessen trademarks are here—the swoon-worthyon novel spineboy

Up all night. along “Dessen has built a well-deserved reputation...[her] many fans...expect on novel spine next door who is not what he appears to be; and the supporting nuanced, subtle writing, and they won’t be disappointed.” spine width 3/8" and wider spine width 3/8" and wider characters who force Ruby to rethink her cynical worldview.” —Booklist

ways does his positive attitude complicate life for himself lock —Publishers Weekly, starred review “Rounding out her latest offering with richly depicted female friendships, Dessen offers up a summertime take of self-discovery.” Sarah Dessen is the New York Times bestselling author of • Mclean reflects, “It was like when you ripped a piece of paper —The Horn Book ten novels, which have sold more than four million copies and have received rave reviews as well as numerous awards. She

and Mclean? and S lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with her husband, Jay, and their daughter, Sasha Clementine. You can visit Sarah’s Web Sarah Dessen is the New York Times best-selling f

author of eight previous books, all of which have been or the site at www.sarahdessen.com or join the online Sarah key © KPO Photo Dessen community at www.sarah-land.com. into two: no matter how you tried, the seams never fit highly acclaimed. She lives with her familyon noveland two dogsspine on novel spine in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. You canspine visit Sarah width online narrower than 1/4" spine width narrower than 1/4" at www.sarahdessen.com or visit(Sabon the online Bold Sarah 9pt) Fall in love with more from Sarah Dessen!(Sabon Bold 9pt)

Dessen community at www.sarah-land.com. ride • Examine the novel’s cover. In what ways is the image represented © J. Marks, 2006

exactly right again. It was what you couldn’t see, those tiniest • $8.99 PB: 978-0-14-241472-9 on novel title • $8.99 PB: 978-0-14-241556-6 page on novel title page Don’t miss these other great (Sabon11.5pt, track +) (Sabon11.5pt, track +) books from Sarah Dessen! HC: 978-0-670-01194-0 • $19.99 HC: 978-0-670-01194-0 HC: 978-0-670-01294-7 • $19.99 HC: 978-0-670-01294-7 symbolic of the events of the book? of pieces that were lost in the severing, and their absence kept • $18.99 HC: 978-0-670-01088-2 speak speak Triangle next to barcodespeak Triangle next to barcode speak speak Cover photo: © Susan Findlay / Masterfile U.S.A. $8.99 CAN $10.00 Cover photo © Michael Frost U.S.A. $8.99 CAN $10.50 VISIT US AT Cover design: VISIT US AT Cover design: Linda McCarthy www.penguin.com/teens www.penguin.com/teens • After she changes her name on the first day at a new school, everything from being complete” (page 165). How does her and Theresa M. Evangelista Theresa M. Evangelista Mclean offers, “It was just so easy. Just like that, in the hurried analogy capture the current state of her relationship with

moments between announcements, I wrapped up and put her parents? Why does Mclean feel so torn? PUFFINSarah LOGO 2007-PDF Dessen’s TEMPLATES stunning PUFFIN LOGO 2004 ThePUFFIN scienceLOGO 2004 of breaking up... emy always knows when to give a guy “the speech”—right after New York Times bestseller! hat’s what Macy has to look forward to while her boyfriend, Jason, Rthe initial romantic rush, but before anything gets too serious. is away at Brain Camp. Days will be spent at a boring job in the She’s had her fair share of boyfriends, and she’s learned all there is to library, evenings will be filled with vocabulary drills for the SATs, nnabel Greene is the girl who has everything. At least, that’s Front / Back cover learn from her mother, who’s currently working onFront husband / Back number cover Front / Back cover and spare time will be passed with her mother, the two of them sharing a away sixteen years of my life and was born again” (page 6). In what she portrays in her modeling shoots. But Annabel’s life five. So why is it that Remy can’t seem to dump Dexter? It can’t be Tsilent grief at the traumatic loss of Macy’s father. PUFFIN LOGO 20his0 name. It can’t be that he’s messy and disorganized. And it certainly PUFFIN LOGO 2003 is far from perfect. Her friendship with Sophieon novel ended bitterly, spine • Throughout What Happened to Goodbye, readers witness A But sometimes unexpected things can happen—things such as the ca- isn’t that he’s a musician—just like Remy’s father, a man she never and her older sister’s eating disorder is weighing down the entire family. spine width 3/8" and wider tering job at Wish, with its fun-loving, chaotic crew. Or her sister’s project knew because he left before she was born. Could it be that Remy’s Isolated and ostracized at school and at home, Annabel retreats into of renovating the neglected beach house, awakening long-buried memo- romantic rules to live by don’t apply anymore? your opinion, why does Mclean embrace the opportunity to silent acceptance. Then she meets Owen—intense, music-obsessed, ries. Things such as meeting Wes, a boy with a past, a taste for Truth- and determined to always tell the truth. And with his guidance, Annabel telling, and an amazing artistic talent, the kind of boy who could turn any the complexities of the various relationships between thelearns to to herself and gains the courage to speak honestly. girl’s world upside down. As Macy ventures out of her shell, she begins to An ALA Best Book for Young Adults • A Borders Original But will she be able to tell everyone what really happened the night she wonder, Is it really better to be safe than sorry? Voices Finalist • An LA Times Book Prize Finalist and Sophie stopped being friends? H“Will keep teens up reading.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review HC: 978-0-670-01088-2 • $18.99 HC: 978-0-670-06105-1 • $18.99

reinvent herself with each move she and her father make? An ALA/YALSA Teen’s Top Tenon Pick novel spine on novel spine y b a l l u l s i h t on novel spine An ALA Best Book for Young Adults spine width 3/8" and wider “A winning story about coming to terms with thespine fact that width loving 3/8" and wider characters. Consider whose relationship seemed most similar spine width 5/16" and wider “Dessen gracefully balances comedy with tragedy and introduces someone requires a leap of faith, and that a soft landing is never “Dessen weaves a sometimes funny, mostly emotional, a complex heroine worth getting to know.”—Publishers Weekly guaranteed.”—SLJ How is this behavior indicative of her emotional state? and very satisfying story.”—VOYA PB: 978-0-14-241472-9 • $8.99 PB: 978-0-14-241097-4 • $8.99 Sarah Dessen is the New York Times bestselling author of Sarah Dessen is the New York Times bestselling author of Sarah Dessen is the New York Times bestselling author of ten novels, which have sold more than four million copies and ten novels, which have sold more than four million copies and to one of your own personal relationships. What about it ten novels, which have sold more than four million copies and have received rave reviews as well as numerous awards. She have received rave reviews as well as numerous awards. She have received rave reviews as well as numerous awards. She lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with her husband, Jay, and lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with her husband, Jay, and lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with her husband, Jay, and their daughter, Sasha Clementine. You can visit Sarah’s Web their daughter, Sasha Clementine. You can visit Sarah’s Web their daughter, Sasha Clementine. You can visit Sarah’s Web site at www.sarahdessen.com or join the online Sarah site at www.sarahdessen.com or join the online Sarah site at www.sarahdessen.com or join the online Sarah © KPO Photo Dessen community at www.sarah-land.comon novel. spine © KPO Photo Dessen community at www.sarah-land.comon novel. spine reminded you of your experiences? © KPO Photo Dessen community at www.sarah-land.comon novel. spine • How would you describe Mclean’s family? Do you find them to spine width narrower than 1/4" spine width narrower than 1/4" spine width narrower than 1/4" Fall in love with more from Sarah Dessen!(Sabon Bold 9pt) Fall in love with more from Sarah Dessen!(Sabon Bold 9pt) Fall in love with more from Sarah Dessen!(Sabon Bold 9pt)

When Ruby’s mother Last year, Annabel was the PB: 978-0-14-250155-9 • $8.99 PB: 978-0-14-250155-9 PB: 978-0-14-241097-4 • $8.99 PB: 978-0-14-241097-4 on novel title page on novel title page be similar to most families? If so, in what ways? Is there on novel title page (Sabon11.5pt, track +) (Sabon11.5pt, track +) (Sabon11.5pt, track +) • $8.99 PB: 978-0-14-240625-0

• In your opinion, why is Opal intimidated by council woman • $18.99 HC: 978-0-670-06105-1 HC: 978-0-670-03639-4 • $16.99 HC: 978-0-670-03639-4 anything about her experience to which you can personally • $16.99 HC: 978-0-670-03530-4 disappears, Ruby remains girl who has everything—at Triangle next to barcode Triangle next to barcode speak Triangle next to barcode speak Cover design by speak speak Lindsay Baker? Reflect on your own experiences with difficult Cover photo: Cover photo copyright Linda McCarthy Photo Alto U.S.A. $8.99 CAN $10.50 © Julie Toy/Stone Images U.S.A. $8.99 CAN $10.50 U.S.A. $8.99 CAN $10.50 Cover photo copyright VISIT US AT VISIT US AT visit us at Cover design by Cover design by © Jerome Tisne/ www.penguin.com/teens www.penguin.com/teens www.penguin.com/teens Linda McCarthy Linda McCarthy Getty Images, 2006 silent and lives alone. least that’s the part she relate? or pushy people. What have you done to be more When she’s discovered by played in the television • After seeing an online posting from a friend in a previous town assertive, and what advice would you give to Opal to help her PUFFIN LOGO 2004 Life is an ugly, awful place PUFFINthe LOGO more 2004 the landlord, Ruby knows commercial for Kopf’s not to have a best friend. things change... remarking about her speedy departure, Mclean thinks, overcome this issue? alley and Scarlett have been best friends ever since they met. Halley Hhas always been the quiet one, Scarlett braver and more outgoing. or fifteen-year-old Haven, there’s just too much going on. First, Front / Back cover Front / Back cover Halley has always turned to Scarlett when things get rough, and Scarlett there’s her father’s wedding to Lorna Queen, the local television PUFFIN LOGO 2003 has always known just what to do. It’s the perfect setup. But everything F“Weather Pet.” Then her sister Ashley’s wedding to boring Lewis PUFFIN LOGO 2003 that the game is up. Social Department Store. This changes at the beginning of their junior year. Scarlett’s boyfriend is killed in Warsher, who doesn’t seem to suit Ashley at all. And Haven can’t “But he was right. I hadn’t said goodbye. It had been easier, a motorcycle accident; then Scarlett finds out that she is carrying his baby. ignore the fact that she’s nearly six feet tall and still growing. Haven • After hearing her argument for the merits of moving often For the first time ever, Scarlett really needs Halley. Now Halley has to learn can barely figure out who she is anymore or where she fits in. Then how to be strong for Scarlett. It won’t be easy, but Halley knows that she Ashley’s old boyfriend, Sumner Lee, shows up and sparks Haven’s can’t let Scarlett down. Because a true friend is a promise you keep forever. memories of the summer when her parents were happy, her sister services place her in the year, she’s the girl who like always, to just disappear, sparing myself the messy was plucky and carefree, and everything was perfect . . . or so it seemed. An ALA Best Book for Young Adults

and not getting too attached, Dave tells Mclean, “But if you S An SLJ Best Book of the Yearon novel spine An ALA Best Book for Young Adultson novel spine “Dessen has a perfect ear for the immediate dailyspine details width of 3/8" and wider spine width 3/8" and wider H“This first novel is written with such easy grace that you want

omeone care of Cora, the sister has nothing: no best a middle-class teenager’s home, school, job, party scene— details of another farewell” (page 29). Do you agree with her to quote sentence after sentence.”—Booklist, starred review never really make friends, you probably don’t have anyone the elemental push and pull of family and friends.”—Booklist

Sarah Dessen is the New York Times bestselling author of summer Sarah Dessen is the New York Times bestselling author of ten novels, which have sold more than four million copies and ten novels, which have sold more than four million copies and have received rave reviews as well as numerous awards. She have received rave reviews as well as numerous awards. She she hasn’t seen in ten friend because mean-but- lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with her husband, Jay, and

assessment about goodbyes? Is it, in fact, easy to avoid lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with her husband, Jay, and Like You Like their daughter, Sasha Clementine. You can visit Sarah’s Web their daughter, Sasha Clementine. You can visit Sarah’s Web to be your two a.m. . . . you know. The person you can call at site at www.sarahdessen.com or join the online Sarah site at www.sarahdessen.com or join the online Sarah © KPO Photo Dessen community at www.sarah-land.com. © KPO Photo Dessen community at www.sarah-land.comon .novel spine on novel spine them? What are possible ramifications of this approach? spine width narrower than 1/4" spine width narrower than 1/4" years, and Cora’s husband exciting Sophie dropped two a.m. and, no matter what, you can count on them” (page Fall in love with more from Sarah Dessen!(Sabon Bold 9pt) Fall in love with more from Sarah Dessen!(Sabon Bold 9pt)

PB: 978-0-14-240177-4 • $8.99 PB: 978-0-14-240177-4 on novel title page S on novel title • $8.99 PB: 978-0-14-240172-9 page (Sabon11.5pt, track +) (Sabon11.5pt, track +) Jamie, whose down-to- her, no peace at home HC: 978-0-670-87778-2 • $17.99 HC: 978-0-670-87778-2 • What Happened to Goodbye is told in first person; how would 215). Do you agree with Dave’s assessment that it’s important omeoneLike You • $16.99 HC: 978-0-670-06110-5 Triangle next to barcode Triangle next to barcode earth demeanor makes it since her older sister Cover photo: Cover photo: to have such a person in your life? Why or why not? Getty Images U.S.A. $8.99 CAN. $10.50 U.S.A. $8.99 CAN. $10.50 Getty Images the story be different if someone besides Mclean were telling VISIT US AT VISIT US AT Cover design by Cover design by www.penguin.com/teens www.penguin.com/teens it? Do you thinkingThe changing Truth the point About of view would make the Linda McCarthy Linda McCarthy hard for Ruby to believe became anorexic, and no HC: 978-0-670-01294-7 • $19.99 • After Mclean runs away from her mother’s beach house, she story better or worse? Why? he founded the most one to sit with at lunch. PUFFIN LOGO 2004 PUFFIN LOGO 2004 finds herself at the Poseidon; why is this motel so important Just one of the girls Q&A ifteen-year-old Colie has never fit in. First, it was because she was fat. popular networking Web Until she meets Owen Sarah Dessen Then, after she lost the weight, it was because of a reputation that she F to her? How does it serve as a symbol of the past and what ver since she started going out with RogersonFront / Biscoe,Back cover didn’t deserve. So when she’s sent to stay with her eccentricFront / aunt Back Mira cover for • What role does basketball play in Mclean’s life? In what ways Caitlin seems to have fallen into a semiconscious dream- PUFFIN LOGO 2003the summer, Colie doesn’t expect too much. After all, why would anyone PUFFIN LOGO 2003 ince her parents’ bitter divorce, Mclean and land where nothing is quite real. Rogerson is different from in Colby, North Carolina, want to bother with her when no one back home Eanyone Caitlin has ever known. He’s magnetic. He’s compelling. does? site around. A luxurious Armstrong. Tall, dark, and He’s dangerous. Being with him makes Caitlin forget about every- But Colby turns out to be a nice surprise for Colie. Almost without trying, is her rejection of the sport symbolic of the larger issues in she has lost? thing else—her missing sister, her withdrawn mother, her lacklus- she lands herself a job at the Last Chance Bar and Grill. There she meets ter life. But what happens when being with Rogerson becomes a fellow waitresses Morgan and Isabel—two best friends who teach her what her dad, a restaurant consultant, have been on larger problem than being without him? friendship is all about and help her learn to appreciate who she really is. house, a fancy private music obsessed, Owen is An ALA Best Book for Young Adults An SLJ Best Book of the Year • An ALA Best Book for on novel spine K her life? on novel spine K Young Adults • An IRA Young Adult Choice H spine width 3/8" and wider

“ is the secret story of many contemporary eeping spine width 3/8" and widereeping the move—four towns in two years. Estranged • In what ways does finding evidence of Mclean’s reinventions teen relationships. Compelling reading.” “Dessen is an absolutely wonderful writer— Keeping —SLJ, starred review K S stylish, smart, and funny.”—Booklist school, a new wardrobe, a reformed bad boy with Sarah Dessen is the New York Times bestselling author of Sarah Dessen is the New York Times bestselling author of

ten novels, which have sold more than four million copies and ten novels, which have sold more than four million copies and the t h t h of herself finally propel her parents into understanding the have received rave reviews as well as numerous awards. She from her mother and her mother’s new family, Mclean • How would you characterize the relationship between Mclean have received rave reviews as well as numerous awards. She lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with her husband, Jay, and e lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with her husband, Jay, and e

their daughter, Sasha Clementine. You can visit Sarah’s Web their daughter, Sasha Clementine. You can visit Sarah’s Web M M the promise of college and a commitment to truth- site at www.sarahdessen.com or join the online Sarah site at www.sarahdessen.com or join the online Sarah

© KPO Photo oon oon M oon © KPO Photo M Dessen community at www.sarah-land.comon novel. spine Dessen community at www.sarah-land.comon novel. spine and her mother? Do you believe Mclean has a right to be toll their separation and divorce has had on her? Do you think spine width narrower than 1/4" spine width narrower than 1/4" (Sabon Bold 9pt) has followed her dad in leaving the unhappy past Fall in love with more from Sarah Dessen! Fall in love with more from Sarah Dessen!(Sabon Bold 9pt) a future— it’s a dream come telling. With Owen’s help,

on novel title page on novel title • $8.99 PB: 978-0-14-240176-7 page

their comprise will ultimately be a good one for Mclean? Why • $8.99 PB: 978-0-14-240175-0 angry with her? Why or why not? How does their relationship (Sabon11.5pt, track +) (Sabon11.5pt, track +) behind. And each new place gives her a chance to try • $16.99 HC: 978-0-670-89122-1 HC: 978-0-670-88549-7 • $17.99 HC: 978-0-670-88549-7 true. So why is Ruby such a maybe Annabel can face evolve over the course of the novel? or why not? Triangle next to barcode Triangle next to barcode speak speak speak speak out a new persona: from cheerleader to drama diva. Cover photo: Cover photo: U.S.A. $8.99 CAN $10.50 Getty Images U.S.A. $8.99 CAN. $10.50 Creatas Images VISIT US AT VISIT US AT Cover design by Cover design by reluctant Cinderella, wary what happened the night www.penguin.com/teens www.penguin.com/teens Linda McCarthy Linda McCarthy But now, for the first time, Mclean discovers a desire • Consider Opal’s reaction to the innovations proposed by • Explain the significance of the title, What Happened to Goodbye. and defensive? And why is she and Sophie stopped to stay in one place and just be herself—whoever that Mclean’s father, Gus, in regard to the operations at Luna Blu; In what ways does it accurately describe the events and Nate, the genial boy next being friends. relationships portrayed in the novel? Visit the world of Sarah Dessen at Sarah-land.com is. Perhaps her neighbor Dave, an academic superstar why does she take his changes to the restaurant so personally? door with some secrets of PUFFIN LOGO 2003 trying to be just a regular guy, can help her find out. In what ways is her reaction telling about her life? Viking • Speak PUFFIN LOGO 2003 • Using the phrase, “This is a story about . . .” supply five words Divisions of Penguin Young Readers Group www.penguin.com/teachersandlibrarians his own, unable to accept Combining Sarah Dessen’s trademark graceful writing, • In what ways is Mclean’s life similar to Dave’s? How are they to describe What Happened to Goodbye. Explain your choices. the help that Ruby is just This discussion guide has been provided by Penguin Young Readers Group for classroom, library, and great characters, and compelling storytelling, What different? What are some of the unique challenges faced by book club use. It may be reproduced in its entirety or excerpted for these purposes. learning to give? Happened to Goodbye is irresistible reading. each of them? Do you think one has a significantly easier life? 9783001182425 Explain your answer. Viking • Speak Viking • Speak Divisions of Penguin Young Readers Group Divisions of Penguin Young Readers Group PUFFIN LOGO 2004

ver since her parents’ divorce, Auden has been unable to sleep. #1 N e w Y o r k T i m e s Discussion Discussion She’s built a routine that gets her through each night, but when B e s t s e l l e r the opportunity comes for her to spend her summer at the beachE with her father and his new family, she jumps at the chance to break out of her rut. Front / Back cover But life at the beach proves more challenging than Auden expects. In addition to trying to figure out how she fits in to her father’s new life, she also has to navigate the girls at work with their gossip and ABOUT THE AUTHOR Questions for Questions for Discussion Questions for Along for thefriendship and crushes.Ride But then there’s becomes her nocturnal tour guide. With an en Eli, a fellow insomniac who along summer nights between them, almos dless supply of long t anything can happen… “Dessen has built a well-deservedUp all reput night. for the ation...[her] many fans...expect Just Listen Lock and Key nuanced, subtle writing, and they won’t be disappointeon novel spine spine widthd.” 3/8" and wideralong ride —Booklist “Rounding out her latest offering wit friendships, Dessen offers up a summert h richly depicted female ime take of self-discovery.” —The Horn Book

Sarah Dessen is the New York Times • Do you believe that • When Ruby is discovered author of eight previous books, all of which have been best-selling

highly acclaimed. She lives with her family and two dogs f or the or in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. You can visiton Sarah novel online spine at www.sarahdessen.com spine width narrower t

© J. Marks, 2006 or visit the online Sarah Dessen community at www.sarah-land.com(Sabon Bold 9pt) han 1/4"

people who seem to living alone, why is she so . ride

• Why is it so difficult for Auden to feel like a “normal” teenager? • How does Auden’s relationshipDon’t miss these with other great her books from Sarah Dessen! on novel title page have everything are afraid of being taken from (Sabon11.5pt, track +) stepmother, Heidi, change? What does Triangle next to barcode truly happy? Why or the yellow house? Why speak speak U.S.A. $8.99 CAN $10.00

VISIT US A Cover photo © Michael Frost www.penguin.comT /teens Cover design: Linda McCarthy why not? does she want to prove • In what ways are Hollis’s and Auden’s childhoods different? Auden discover about Heidi throughoutand Theresa M. Evangelista that she can make it on How has this affected them as they have matured and made the course of the story? • Annabel is unable to important decisions about their lives? talk about what has her own? Why does her mother abandon her? • Auden’s first encounter with Eli comes when she is taking her PUFFIN LOGO 20 happened to her; why • Auden and her new sister, Thisbe, are named after literary 0 do you think she chooses • The new life Cora offers baby sister for a stroll in hopes of settling her down. When to remain silent? Ruby is ideal in many influences in her father’s life. Why are names so important to Eli observes the crying baby, Auden tells him, “It’s been a long Auden’s dad, Robert? What does he believe the right name night.” Eli comments, “Aren’t they all.” What can you infer from • Why does Annabel find ways: they live in a beautiful home, Ruby will do for his children? How does the baby’s name cause a his statement? it so difficult to be conflict between Auden’s dad and Heidi? What does the honest about her feel gets to attend a private ings in general? How school, and she has a result of their disagreement indicate about their relationship? • Describe Auden. Is she the type of person you would want to have her own actions family on whom she can befriend? Why or why not? caused her to be in count. Why do you think • Auden’s mom tells her, “People don’t change. If anything you the miserable situation Ruby wants to reject this get more set in your ways as you get older, not less” (page 13). • Auden thinks, “Stuff that would be weird in the bright light of in which she finds new life? Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not? Are there day just wasn’t so much once you passed a certain hour. It was herself? • What is the significance any characters in the novel who show considerable change like the dark just evened it all out, somehow.” In what ways do • Due to the death of of Ruby attempting to run throughout the course of the story? the night time events liberate her? her own mother, away from her sister’s home? Why do you think Annabel’s mother • Explain the significance of the picture frame Hollis sends • Since much of the action of the story takes place at night, do © KPO Photo seems unaware of the she ultimately decides to home to Auden; why does the inscription, “The Best of Times” you think the relationship between Auden and Eli would have emotional turmoil faced remain? bother her so much? How does this gift serve as a catalyst for been the same if their time together had been during the day? by her daughters. How • In what ways is Nate change in Auden’s plans? does her emotional in denial about his • In what ways are Auden and Eli similar? How are they different? absence contribute relationship with his • Why does Auden feel she needs to stay with her dad and to her daughters’ father? Do you think Heidi after their baby is born? What does she hope to gain • Eli tells Auden, “It’s never too late to have a happy childhood” problems? he is right to excuse from her visit? (page 15). What does Eli do to help Auden change and grow • In what ways have his behavior? as a person? arah Dessen grew up in Chapel Hill, Owen’s issues with • Discuss the significance • In what ways is Robert contributing to Heidi’s sense of help- anger management of the necklace trend lessness and depression? How would you describe his character? • Adam tells Auden, “It all counts. The bottom line is, what defines North Carolina, and attended UNC- shaped who he is that Ruby unintentionally you isn’t how many times you crash, but the number of times Chapel Hill, graduating with highest today? Do you think starts. Why is the charm • On her first night in Colby, Auden has a personal encounter with you get back on the bike. As long as it’s one more, you’re all he is a better friend to so important? What honors in Creative Writing. She is the Jake. Why does she regret her actions? How do the other good.” Do you agree? Why or why not? S Annabel because of it? do you think the key Why or why not? symbolizes? characters regard her because of this experience? author of ten novels, including Someone Like • In what way does Auden finally learn to go “along for the ride”? You and Just Listen. A motion picture based Reading Group Guide • Owen tells Annabel. • What does Ruby learn • Auden’s mother calls her daughter regularly in order to recieve “Don’t think or judge. from her relationship reports about how things are going at Auden’s father’s. Why on her first two books, entitled How to Deal Just listen.” (page 183) with Nate? How are their does her mother show so such interest in Robert’s life? Explain what you relationships with their was released in 2003. Sarah lives in Chapel believe he means by individual families similar? Read her once and this statement. Do you In what ways are they • From Auden’s perspective, the girls she works with at Clemen- Hill with her husband, daughter, and two very agree with him? different? tine’s (Maggie, Leah, and Esther) are frivolous teenage girls. spoiled dogs, where she spends her time In what ways is her vision reshaped as she gets to know them • In what ways could • From your experience, do more intimately? gardening, watching bad TV shows, and trying Annabel’s family have you think it’s difficult for dealt differently with most people to reach out tobreak her addiction to the clearance rack Whitney’s eating for help? To whom do you • Do you think Auden’s mother is threatened by her daughter’s in at Gap. Visit the world of Sarah Dessen at fall love disorder? turn when you are in need? choice to spend the summer with her father and his new family? What does her mother fear will happen? www.sarah-land.com.