Every Summer After

Percy and Sam maintain a strong foundation of friendship even as they fall in love with each other. How does their friendship impact the way that their relationship unfolds when they are young and their ability to rebuild it as adults? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

Compare and contrast the two Florek brothers. What are their similarities and differences? Do their feelings for Percy differ? If so, why?

Comment on how the lake is used as a setting in the book. Why is the lake significant? Do you think that if Sam and Percy had met somewhere else, their relationship would be different?

Miscommunication lies at the heart of the conflict between Percy and Sam and leads to their relationship falling apart when they are young. Examine the different instances of miscommunication across Sam and Percy’s relationship and explain how this impacts them. Do other relationships suffer from miscommunication in the novel? If so, how?

Horror movies and fiction are a recurring motif throughout the novel. What themes does this motif interact with? How does it mark different milestones in Sam and Percy’s relationship? Explain your answer using textual evidence.

Comment on Percy’s behavior across the different timelines. When and how does Percy begin to change? Does the adult Percy at the end of the novel retain any traits from the teenage Percy at the start of the novel? Develop your response with textual evidence.

Percy’s story arc is as much about self-love as it is about reuniting with a romantic love interest. Do you agree with this statement? Justify your response with evidence from the text.

Trace how the friendship bracelet transitions from a symbol of friendship and acceptance to one of love and commitment.