Where It All Lands: A Novel
illustrations by
on Goodreads (1,127)
What’s inside...
Stevie Rosenstein has never made a true friend. Never fallen in love. Moved from city to city by her father's unrelenting job, it's too hard to care for someone. Trust in anything. The pain of leaving always hurts too much. But she'll soon learn to trust, to love. Twice. Drew and Shane have been best friends through everything. The painful death of Shane's dad. The bitter separation of Drew's parents. Through sleepaway camps and family heartache, basketball games and profound loss, they've always been there for each other. When Stevie meets Drew and Shane, life should go on as normal. But a simple coin toss alters the course of their year in ways they could never expect.
Age
12-18
Length
352 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Stevie Rosenstein
Shane Logan
Drew Mason
Discussion points
How do you think Stevie's passion for music influences her decisions throughout the story?
What does Drew’s struggle with choosing between love and friendship teach us about priorities and values?
How would you handle the challenges that Shane faces in his relationships?
In what ways do the characters change from the beginning to the end of the book?
What lessons can we learn about fate and free will from the different timelines presented in the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before starting the discussion, encourage your child to think about the main themes of the book such as fate, friendship, and the choices we make.
Ask your child to explain how the characters' decisions align or conflict with their personal values and how it might apply to their own life situations.
Invite them to consider alternative endings based on different choices the characters might have made to deepen their understanding of cause and effect.
Discuss the importance of empathy by asking how they feel about each character’s dilemmas and how they would support a friend in similar situations.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The impact of choices
Explanation: The narrative showcases two alternate timelines based on a single decision, demonstrating how choices can vastly change outcomes.
Real-World Application: Children learn the significance of making decisions and considering their potential impacts before acting.
Example Lesson: The value of friendship
Explanation: Throughout the book, the importance of deep, supportive friendships is emphasized in both timelines, showing how friends can shape one's life.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to appreciate and cultivate meaningful friendships in their own lives.
Example Lesson: Overcoming adversity
Explanation: Characters in the book face various challenges but learn to navigate them, showcasing resilience.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to develop resilience and understand that they can overcome obstacles and grow from their experiences.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: The book portrays characters with differing perspectives and backgrounds, highlighting the importance of empathy.
Real-World Application: It teaches children to be empathetic and considerate towards others' feelings and viewpoints in their daily interactions.