The Rules of Love & Grammar
READER’S GUIDE
1. What do we learn about Grace’s character in the first few chapters of the book? Is this consistent throughout?
2. What is the significance of Renny’s bicycle for Grace? In what way or ways is it a metaphor?
3. We know that Grace has avoided spending much time at home since her sister’s death. How do you think she has been affected by her parents’ discomfort with talking about Renny?
4. What do you believe are Grace’s strongest emotions about Renny?
5. Did you notice a pattern of symbols or allusions to a well-known story? If so, what are they, and why do you think the author included them?
6. What is the role of “change” in the book? Why do you think change is a threat to Grace?
7. What are the different ways in which Grace and her parents have each dealt with Renny’s death?
8. The story relies greatly on dialog and on Grace’s inner voice. How do you think the writer creates believable dialog?
9. “I want him to kiss me here in the moonlight, and I want the rest of my life to finally begin.” This is what Grace says when she goes to meet Peter at the yacht club, and she’s standing outside where he kissed her seventeen years earlier. How did you react to this?
10. What are some of the most eye-opening moments for Grace?
11. What, in your opinion, is the strongest message of the story?
12. Were you secretly rooting for any particular one of Grace’s three suitors? Did that change as the story went on? How did you like the ending?
13. If you were going to write a screenplay for this book, what scene would you consider the most pivotal? Who would you cast to play each of the main characters?