Night Road

Kristin Hannan does an amazing job with relationships and feelings in this book. Her descriptions are vivid - creating intimacy and attachment. It is a book to be equally enjoyed by young adults as well as their parents because the issues are presented from both perspectives. The main characters are 3 teens and Jude, their adept but hovering mother. Mothers will surely relate to her parenting skills and worrying. Young adults and teens will relate to the push and pull of finding independence from one's parents and the necessity of being accepted by peers. It is layered with issues on family dynamics, teenage angst and romance, first loves, sibling rivalry, friendship, forgiveness, grief and motherhood, making it an excellent book club choice for clubs that enjoy easy to read engaging stories dealing with tough topics emotionally. The story flows from start to finish and the writing style is easy to read.

For eighteen years, Jude Farraday has put her children's needs above her own, and it shows - her twins, Mia and Zach, are bright and happy teenagers. When Lexi Baill moves into their small, close knit community, no one is more welcoming than Jude. Lexi, a former foster child with a dark past, quickly becomes Mia's best friend. Then Zach falls in love with Lexi and the three become inseparable.

Jude does everything to keep her kids on track for college and out of harm's way. It has always been easy - until senior year of high school. Suddenly she is at a loss. Nothing feels safe anymore; every time her kids leave the house, she worries about them.

On a hot summer's night her worst fears come true. One decision will change the course of their lives. In the blink of an eye, the Farraday family will be torn apart and Lexi will lose everything. In the years that follow, each must face the consequences of that single night and find a way to forget . . . or the courage to forgive.

Vivid, universal, and emotionally complex, Night Road raises profound questions about motherhood, identity, love, and forgiveness. It is a luminous, heartbreaking novel that captures both the exquisite pain of loss and the stunning power of hope - a story about the longing for family, the resilience of the human heart, and the courage it takes to forgive the people we love.

1. Jude Farraday is obviously a tenacious and committed mother. She tries to do anything and everything to keep her children safe. Does this effort make her a "good" mother, or is she over-invested? Does micro-managing keep kids safe, or stop them from trusting their own judgment?

2. One theme is the delicate balance a mother must find between holding on and letting go. How does Jude succeed, and how does she fail?

3. At one point or another, every character feels extreme growing pains. How does each character "grow up" throughout the story?

4. On page 71, Jude thinks her husband is a satellite, far up in the sky, while she is a helicopter parent. How does this illustrate her view of motherhood? Is she right? Is Miles unaware? How does Jude render Miles ineffective and at what price?

5. Jude seems to make all the rules. Why does she ignore Miles' suggestions? Why does he let her?

6. Jude promised her children they could "tell her anything" and she would pick them up with no questions asked, yet she disciplines them for drinking. Can you understand her response? What would you have done?

7. Jude knows her kids attend parties where alcohol is present. How should she have handled this? Should she and Miles have forbidden parties? Why didn't they?

8. In knowing about the drinking, were Jude and Miles tacitly allowing it? Is it enough to warn teens about dangers and then trust them?

9. Some parents host "take the keys" parties to create a safer environment. What do you think of this? Would you do it?

10. Jude seems to find solace in grief, as if numbness is preferable to pain. Is this believable? Understandable?

11. How did Jude's handling of grief add to her family's heartache? How do her perceptions of fault fuel her coldness?

12. Jude's relationship with her own mother is strained. How does this broken relationship contribute to the story?

13. Lexi's background is very different from the Farradays'. How does her past contribute to events, including her decision to drive that night?

14. When Jude discovers Zach and Lexi's romance, she immediately worries for Mia. Why? Were her fears justified?

15. Lexi pays a very high price for that night. Did she do the right thing by admitting guilt? How does her past influence her choices about Grace?

16. What is the novel saying about the judicial system and the role of power and money? Did Lexi pay more because she was powerless?

17. Jude says she is seeking "justice." Is she? Did she find it?

18. Assign blame for the tragic night. How much lies with Lexi, Zach, Jude, and Mia?

19. What do you make of Grace's "invisible" friend? Who is she, and how does she help Grace manage emotions?

20. In the end, Jude learns there are moments of grace that let you remember what is left rather than all that is lost. What does she mean? How will this change their lives? Can people truly overcome a tragedy of this magnitude? If so, how?

An excellent book club choice but probably better suited for parents of teens and young adults, as much of the story revolves around three high school kids and the family dynamics of parenting teens. It deals with tough emotional issues and the inner turmoil of grief from both adult and young adult perspectives, and it examines living with the consequences of irresponsibility. It is emotionally gripping and well done.