The People We Keep

April often uses similes to describe her feelings. Choose three similes from the novel and discuss how they develop April as a character and the ways in which they evoke her feelings for readers.

April has multiple failed romantic relationships in the novel. Choose two of her exes (Matty, Adam, Justin, or Robert) and compare and contrast the characteristics that drew April to them and ultimately led her to leave them.

Margo is April’s primary maternal figure, although April doesn’t recognize this until the end of the novel. Use textual evidence to discuss the ways in which Margo acts as a maternal figure and in what ways this influences April’s actions.

Music is the most important part of April’s life and she often uses it to explore her emotions and thoughts. Analyze two excerpts of her lyrics. Contextualizing them within the plot, explain how they characterize April in ways that her narration doesn’t.

April goes through a major transformation over the three years that this book takes place. Compare and contrast the first and last chapter of the novel and explain how they illustrate April’s development.

Allison Larkin references many songs and artists throughout the novel. Listen to three of the songs April covers and discuss why she might connect to them.

Throughout the novel, April compares small-town life to life in a city. Discuss how important this theme of small town versus city experience is to April’s development from adolescent to adult.

April carries the trauma of her parents’ neglect, and it often influences her actions and decisions. Use textual evidence to discuss how April overcomes and heals this trauma.