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A B O U T T H E B O OK
Born with cerebral palsy, Amy can’t walk without a walker, talk
without a voice box, or even fully control her facial expressions.
Plagued by obsessive-compulsive disorder, Matthew is consumed
with repeated thoughts, neurotic rituals, and crippling fear. Both in
desperate need of someone to help them reach out to the world,
Amy and Matthew are more alike than either ever realized.
When Amy decides to hire student aides to help her in her senior
year at Coral Hills High School, these two teens are thrust into
each other’s lives. As they begin to spend time with each other,
what started as a blossoming friendship eventually grows into
something neither expected.
D IS C U S SI O N Q U ES TI O N S
1. Amy and Matthew communicate in a variety of ways—
through emails, letters, text messages, and in-person
conversations. Which method do you think works best for
Amy and Matthew? How do the methods of communication
we use change the way we interact with people?
2. Each of the peer helpers has different reasons for joining
the program. Do their motives for helping Amy change as
they get to know her? What do the peer helpers and Amy
learn from each other?
3. Matthew worries that Amy is comfortable with him “because
she thought of him as more disabled than she was”
(pg. 128). How do Amy and Matthew perceive each other’s
disabilities? How do these perceptions change?
4. The story alternates between Amy’s and Matthew’s point
of view. Why do you think the author chose to incorporate
both perspectives? How did this decision affect the story?
5. Amy’s mom has extremely high expectations of her daughter.
Do you think Amy’s mom expects too much from her? What
causes Amy to speak out against her mom’s plans for her?
Book
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Pick!
6. Amy says, “I have learned not to judge people by their
limitations, but by the way they push past them” (pg. 84).
How do various characters in the story push past their
limitations? What strategies do you use to overcome
limitations?
7. Why do you think Matthew reacts so dramatically after
learning about Sanjay and Amy’s prom night? Is his
reaction justified?
8. Sarah is the only person Amy tells about her “problem” and
decision to leave college. What was your initial reaction
when learning of Amy’s pregnancy? Why do you think she
kept it a secret from her family and Matthew for so long?
9. Amy and Matthew have deep feelings for each other,
which are hard to categorize. How would you describe
their relationship? Why is it difficult for them to express
their love for each other? Through what ways do they
attempt to show their true feelings?
10. Are you satisfied with the open ending? What do you
think is next for Amy and Matthew?
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