Plot Points
What traumatic event changes Eden’s life at the start of the novel?
Eden is SA by her brother’s best friend, Kevin, while she's asleep in her room.
Who is Eden’s older brother, whose friend assaults her?
Kevin
What is the central theme of the book?
How a girl deals with the pain and changes after being sexually assaulted, and her journey to heal and find herself again.
What object does Eden break that symbolizes her emotional turmoil?
Eden breaks a mirror.
“It’s not supposed to be this way. I wasn’t supposed to be this girl.” — What does this quote reveal about Eden’s state of mind?
This quote reveals that Eden feels lost and overwhelmed by how her life has changed after the trauma.
How does Eden’s relationship with her family change throughout the book?
Eden becomes distant, angry, and withdrawn from her family; she stops trusting them and begins acting out.
What is the name of the boy Eden dates but struggles to connect with emotionally?
Josh Miller
How does the book portray the effects of trauma over time?
She becomes quieter, distant, and struggles with trust and feeling safe.
How does Eden’s hair function as a symbol in the story?
When she cuts or changes it, it shows how she’s trying to cope with her pain and take back control over her body and identity.
Identify who says: “You can’t just pretend it didn’t happen.”
Josh
In what grade is Eden when the assault occurs?
Eden is in 9th grade (a freshman in high school) when the assault occurs.
Who is Mara and what role does she play in Eden’s life?
Mara is Eden's closest friend.
What role does silence play in Eden’s journey?
Silence represents her pain and fear.
What do Eden’s changing clothes and appearance represent?
How she is struggling inside.
What does Eden mean when she says, “I didn’t know who I was anymore”?
She means that after the trauma, she feels confused and lost about her identity. The experience changes how she sees herself, and she struggles to understand who she really is.
What major decision does Eden make about her friendship with Mara?
She ends her friendship with Mara after a series of misunderstandings and betrayals, feeling she can no longer be honest or safe with her.
What character encourages Eden to speak out, even indirectly?
Caelin McCrorey, Eden's older brother.
How is identity explored in the context of Eden’s experiences?
She struggles to understand who she is after the trauma, feeling confused and lost.
What does the recurring use of music signify for Eden?
Music in the book represents comfort and escape for Eden.
Analyze this quote: “Sometimes I think if I don’t say the words out loud, they’ll disappear.”
She hopes that by not saying the truth out loud, the pain or reality of what happened might go away.
What is the final act Eden takes toward healing at the end of the novel? MY FAVORITE PART
Eden finally finds courage to tell someone about her own experiences.
How does Eden’s attacker manipulate those around him to avoid suspicion?
He uses charm, social status, and the perception of being trustworthy to manipulate others, while isolating Eden and making her feel as though no one would believe her.
How does the novel address victim-blaming?
Hurts Eden by making her feel guilty and ashamed for something that wasn’t her fault.
How does Eden’s diary or writing reflect her internal struggle?
Writing helps her understand her pain and confusion, and it’s a private way for her to express what she’s going through.
Find a quote that shows Eden beginning to take her power back. What does it signify?
“I’m not going to let what happened define me anymore.”
This signifies that Eden is starting to stand up for herself, refusing to let her trauma control her life. It marks a turning point where she begins to heal and reclaim her identity.