You Have a Match
on Goodreads (36,434)
What’s inside...
A new love, a secret sister, and a summer she'll never forget. When Abby signs up for a DNA service, it’s mainly to give her friend and secret love interest, Leo, a nudge. After all, she knows who she is already: Avid photographer. Injury-prone tree climber. Best friend to Leo and Connie…although ever since the B.E.I. (Big Embarrassing Incident) with Leo, things have been awkward on that front. But she didn’t know she’s a younger sister. When the DNA service reveals Abby has a secret sister, shimmery-haired Instagram star Savannah Tully, it’s hard to believe they’re from the same planet, never mind the same parents—especially considering Savannah, queen of green smoothies, is only a year and a half older than Abby herself. The logical course of action? Meet up at summer camp (obviously) and figure out why Abby’s parents gave Savvy up for adoption. But there are complications: Savvy is a rigid rule-follower and total narc. Leo is the camp’s co-chef, putting Abby's growing feelings for him on blast. And her parents have a secret that threatens to unravel everything. But part of life is showing up, leaning in, and learning to fit all your awkward pieces together. Because sometimes, the hardest things can also be the best ones.
Age
12-18
Length
320 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Abby Day
Savannah Tully
Leo
Discussion points
How do you think Abby felt when she found out she had a sister? How would you feel in a similar situation?
Why do you think it's important for Abby and Savvy to learn about each other's lives?
What does this story teach us about family and friendship?
How do the characters change from the beginning to the end of the book?
What would you have done differently if you were in Abby's shoes?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the book’s events, relating them to their own experiences of friendship and family.
Discuss the importance of communication and honesty in relationships, drawing parallels from Abby and Savvy’s story.
Ask your child to imagine they have a long-lost sibling and explore their thoughts and fantasies about this scenario.
Highlight the characters’ different perspectives and challenge your child to think about how understanding different viewpoints can be beneficial.
Use the story’s setting and events as a backdrop to discuss the value of adventure and trying new things.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of honesty
Explanation: In 'You Have a Match', characters grapple with secrets and the consequences of not being honest. Through various scenarios, the significance of truth-telling is underscored.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the value of being truthful in their interactions and understand that honesty builds trust in relationships.
Example Lesson: The power of family bonds
Explanation: The story explores the relationships between siblings and the strength of family connections, even in unexpected circumstances.
Real-World Application: This lesson can encourage children to appreciate and nurture their relationships with family members, recognizing the unique support family can offer.
Example Lesson: Accepting oneself and others
Explanation: Characters in the book learn to accept their own flaws as well as those of others, promoting a message of self-love and acceptance.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of self-acceptance and the acceptance of others, fostering a healthy self-esteem and respect for diversity.
Example Lesson: The impact of resolving conflicts
Explanation: The book demonstrates how characters resolve their differences and the positive outcomes that arise from effective conflict resolution.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning conflict resolution skills that can help them navigate disagreements in a constructive manner.