Reading Bowl: What Happened To Lani Garver

1) What are the themes of the book? What ideas and/or opinions is the book exploring or discussing?

One of the main themes in "What Happened To Lani Garver" is acceptance. The fact that you shouldn't change yourself for others or let people put you in "boxes": a true companion is someone who doesn't have to categorize or change you, but is able to appreciate and admire you for who you truly are. Carol Plum-Ucci encourages readers to stray from the pack, as Claire did, and trust themselves and the ones who fully accept them. The story proves that when you leave behind the version of youself that everyone wants you to be and follow your true self, you might just discover someone or something really special, the way Claire discovered Lani.

2) Consider the main character of the book: what does he/she learn over the course of the narrative? How does he/she change? What is the final plot event that causes the character to change?

Throughout the book, Claire totally transforms. When she meets Lani she discovers things about the world and herself that she never imagined. Lani opens her eyes to philosophy and imagination, risk and angels. Claire goes from being a fly caught in the web of popularity, where she follows Macie and sticks to the status quo, to an individual: someone whose independant, yet relies on others. Someone who is unafraid to show the world who she truly is. At the end of the book, when Lani is drowned by Tony, Claire learns a valuable lesson: life is short and you have to live it to the fullest. Lani was such a remarkable person whose life ended so suddenly. I think Claire realizes she has to live and be remarkable in the time she gets, and to be remarkable is to be completely and truly yourself.

3) What are three sections/events/elements of the book that you find the most memorable or interesting?

I thought the sections about Claire's leather attraction were really interesting and unique. Almost as though the way she loved leather was what made her different from her family, classmates, and friends. At the beginning of the book, Claire hides her "secret" about the leather, but by the end she was wearing her leather jacket around Hackett. I think it's a symbol of her growing acceptance of herself.

I also really liked the parts about her razor blade music, though they were kind of creepy. It created the impression that everyone has a dark side or a scary secret that we keep hidden away. It was really interesting to witness and hear about Claire's first hand, and read her reactions about it.

But my favorite scene would have to be the one with Lani in the angel costume. Not because it seemed especially symbolic or important, but because I loved hearing Claire describe his ravishing beauty and sheer powerful. It was really welll written and it felt as though I could see Lani standing there in front of me.

4) How does the book's subject and themes connect to the rest of your junior high curriculum (what you've studied or been exposed to over the past year and a half)?

This book has a strong correlation with what we've been learning in RCG this year. In the Gender circut, we've talked about not letting media or stereotypes change your identity as a man or a women. Many characters in the book feel as though, being a male or female, they have to act or dress a certain way. When Lani comes in, he shows the residents of Hacket that thats not the only way. He steps out of the "male" stereotype and into his own, individual category.

5) Did you enjoy the book? Why? Would you recommend it for next year's Reading Bowl?

I loved this book and would definately recommend it for reading bowl next year! It's not a short read, but it's extremely engaging and really makes you think. Claire, the main character, has a really unusual and distinct voice that gives the story a whole new dimmension. The characters are all really well developed and the whole story is gripping: you never know whats going to happen next.