Eleanor and Park is a novel set in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1986.  It centres on two misfits:  Eleanor, an insecure, book-loving girl with frizzy red hair, and Park, a quiet, comic-book-loving, biracial boy.   Their tentative romance develops as they share their love for books and music, but, as with all first loves, theirs is imperfect. Eleanor comes from a difficult household and has to keep their relationship secret. The novel deals with such issues  as domestic and child abuse, racism, bullying and body image.   It also explores what it’s like to know that your first love can’t last, while being brave enough to try anyway.

This novel is captivating, hopeful and funny, with wonderfully developed characters.  Almost everyone can relate to Eleanor's struggles with insecurities and bullying.  And Park, although slight in stature, is strong, supportive and can make anyone swoon.  This novel is a heart-wrenchingly accurate portrayal of first love and is sure to leave you reading (and crying) all night.  If you enjoy this book, you might also enjoy Rowell’s other book, Fangirl, or The Fault in Our Stars by John Green.