Open Road Summer
on Goodreads (16,498)
What’s inside...
After breaking up with her bad-news boyfriend, Reagan O’Neill is ready to leave her rebellious ways behind, and her best friend, country superstar Lilah Montgomery, is nursing a broken heart of her own. Fortunately, Lilah’s 24-city tour is about to kick off, offering a perfect opportunity for a girls-only summer of break-up ballads and healing hearts. But when Matt Finch joins the tour as its opening act, his boy-next-door charm proves difficult for Reagan to resist, despite her vow to live a drama-free existence. This summer, Reagan and Lilah will navigate the ups and downs of fame and friendship as they come to see that giving your heart to the right person is always a risk worth taking. A fresh new voice in contemporary romance, Emery Lord’s gorgeous writing hits all the right notes. Sarah Dessen gets a road trip twist in Emery Lord's debut novel, a summer story of love and true friendship. 'A fabulously entertaining story of friendship, healing, and love.' --Elizabeth Eulberg, author
Age
11-12
Length
352 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Reagan O'neill
Delilah Montgomery
Matt Finch
Lilah "Dee" Montgomery
Reagan O’Neill
Discussion points
How does the friendship between Reagan and Dee change throughout their summer journey?
What are some of the challenges the characters face and how do they overcome them?
How do Reagan’s views on love and trust evolve from the beginning to the end of the book?
What does the 'Open Road' symbolize in the story, and how does it relate to the characters' personal journeys?
Can you relate to any of the emotions or experiences of the characters? Why or why not?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the discussion by sharing your own thoughts about Reagan and Dee’s friendship, encouraging your child to explore and express their perceptions.
Use specific scenes from the book to guide the conversation about overcoming challenges and personal growth.
Allow your child to express their feelings about trust and relationships, relating them back to Reagan’s experiences.
Discuss the symbolism of ‘Open Road’ in the story, prompting your child to think about what their own ‘Open Road’ might look like.
Encourage empathy by asking your child to consider how they would feel in the characters’ situations, fostering deeper emotional and moral understanding.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The value of friendship
Explanation: The story demonstrates the strength of the friendship between Reagan and Dee, showing how they support each other through various challenges.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of being there for friends during tough times, and the positive impact of having supportive relationships.
Example Lesson: The importance of self-discovery
Explanation: Throughout the novel, Reagan deals with personal issues and, with the help of her surroundings, learns more about her own desires and needs.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to explore their own feelings and thoughts, helping them understand themselves better and grow as individuals.
Example Lesson: Dealing with consequences of one’s actions
Explanation: The protagonist faces the consequences of her past actions and learns to take responsibility for them, which aids her growth throughout the book.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand that their actions have effects on themselves and others, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful decision-making.
Example Lesson: Healing and forgiveness
Explanation: Characters in the book navigate through personal pains and misunderstandings, learning to forgive others and themselves.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the value of forgiveness and the steps towards healing after being hurt or hurting others.