Emergency Contact
on Goodreads (45,265)
What’s inside...
From debut author Mary H.K. Choi comes a compulsively readable novel about young love and all its awkward glory. The story follows Penny Lee as she heads to college in Austin, Texas, leaving behind her uneventful high school years and a distant boyfriend. Meanwhile, Sam is stuck in a rut, both financially and emotionally, working and living in a café's storage room as he dreams of becoming a famous movie director. When Penny and Sam's paths cross, they form a deep connection through digital communication, sharing their anxieties and dreams without the awkwardness of physical interaction.
Age
13-14
Length
416 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Penny Lee
Samuel "Sam" Becker
Celeste
Jude
Celeste Yoon
Mallory Sloane
Jude Lange
Lorraine Masterson
Penelope "Penny" Lee
Discussion points
What did you think about the way Penny and Sam communicate through text? How do you think it affects their relationship?
How do the characters in 'Emergency Contact' deal with their personal challenges? Can you relate to any of their experiences?
Why do you think the author chose to write the characters with particular insecurities? How does this make them more relatable?
What role do you think support plays in the characters' development throughout the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by sharing your own perspective on digital communication and its impact on relationships to encourage your child to open up about their views.
Connect discussions to your child’s life by asking if they have faced similar challenges as the characters, facilitating a deeper personal connection to the story.
Highlight the growth of characters in the book to discuss the importance of overcoming insecurities and the value of personal development.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of communication
Explanation: In 'Emergency Contact', characters learn to open up and share their feelings through text, highlighting how communication is pivotal in relationships.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to express their feelings and communicate openly with friends and family, fostering stronger relationships.
Example Lesson: Managing personal challenges
Explanation: The characters face personal struggles and learn to cope with them, teaching resilience and personal growth.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to confront and manage their own challenges, promoting resilience in the face of adversity.
Example Lesson: The value of empathy
Explanation: As characters understand each other's backgrounds and challenges, they develop empathy and support each other.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to empathize with peers, understanding that everyone has their unique struggles, fostering compassion and supportiveness.
Example Lesson: Navigating young adulthood
Explanation: The book addresses the transition to college and adulthood, with characters learning to navigate these changes independently.
Real-World Application: Prepares older children and teenagers for their own transitions into higher education and adulthood, highlighting the importance of independence and self-reliance.
Example Lesson: The significance of supportive relationships
Explanation: Through the bond between the characters, the story underlines the importance of having supportive contacts during tough times.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the importance of building and maintaining supportive relationships that they can rely on during challenging periods.