What's Not to Love
on Goodreads (4,009)
What’s inside...
An academic enemies-to-lovers YA. Since high school began, Alison Sanger and Ethan Molloy have competed on almost everything. AP classes, the school paper, community service, it never ends. If Alison could avoid Ethan until graduation, she would. Except, naturally, for two over-achieving seniors with their sights on valedictorian and Harvard, they share all the same classes and extracurriculars. So when their school’s principal assigns them the task of co-planning a previous class’s ten-year reunion, with the promise of a recommendation for Harvard if they do, Ethan and Alison are willing to endure one more activity together if it means beating the other out of the lead. But with all this extra time spent in each other’s company, their rivalry begins to feel closer to friendship. And as tension between them builds, Alison fights the growing realization that the only thing she wants more than winning…is Ethan.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
13-14
Length
400 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What was your favorite part of the story and why did it stand out to you?
How did the characters in the book show kindness or understanding toward each other?
If you were in the story, how would you help the characters solve their problems?
What lessons do you think the book is trying to teach us about friendship and love?
How do you think the story would change if it happened in our town?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading each chapter, ask your child to predict what they think will happen next, fostering their imagination and anticipation.
Discuss the motivations behind the characters' actions to help your child understand different perspectives and develop empathy.
After finishing the book, encourage your child to draw a picture of their favorite scene, which can help them express how the story resonated with them visually.
Create a 'feeling chart' with your child, where you both can share feelings you felt during different parts of the story, enhancing emotional intelligence.
Connect themes from the book to real-life situations your child may encounter, making the content more relatable and impactful.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of communication
Explanation: The characters in 'What's Not to Love' navigate their differences and misunderstandings through open and honest communication, leading to stronger relationships.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to express their feelings and thoughts clearly to friends and family, helping to resolve conflicts and misunderstandings in their daily interactions.
Example Lesson: Embracing individuality
Explanation: The story celebrates the unique traits and interests of each character, reinforcing the idea that being different is not only acceptable but valuable.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages kids to appreciate their own uniqueness and respect others' differences, which is crucial in fostering inclusive and supportive peer relationships.
Example Lesson: Value of teamwork
Explanation: The characters in the book achieve their goals by working together, highlighting the effectiveness of collaboration over individual efforts.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson in group activities at school or in sports, learning that cooperation can lead to achieving common goals effectively.
Example Lesson: Dealing with failure
Explanation: Characters in the book face setbacks, but the story emphasizes growth and resilience, showing that failure is a natural part of the learning process.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand that setbacks are temporary and can be valuable learning experiences, encouraging them to keep trying and persevere.
Example Lesson: Developing empathy
Explanation: The narrative allows readers to see situations from multiple viewpoints, fostering an understanding and empathy towards others' feelings and situations.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to consider other people's perspectives in real life, which enhances their ability to interact compassionately and thoughtfully with others.