A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks

Sparks, Nicholas. A Walk to Remember.

Warner; 1999,

ISBN: 0446608955.

  

Reader’s Annotation

Landon asks Jamie to the Homecoming dance as a last resort, little realizing that she would change his life forever.

 

Plot Summary

In 1958, Landon Carter is at the top of his game.  He’s class president and highly popular.  Jamie Sullivan pretty much represents Landon opposite in every way—she’s the mousy, good-girl daughter of a local minister, and the target of a lot of high school scorn.  When Landon finds himself desperate for a date to the Homecoming dance, he finally asks Jamie, and this opens the way to a tenuous, but growing friendship.  As Landon gets to know Jamie, and shares in some of her activities such as her Christmas play, Landon realizes that he’s falling in love with Jamie.  He continues his relationship with her under the ever-present scrutiny of her father, little realizing the devastating secret Jamie hides.

Critical Evaluation

Nicolas Sparks, renowned author who can make anyone cry, definitely succeeds with A Walk to Remember.  Our impression of Jamie, when she’s introduced pretty well matches Landon’s—She seems old fashioned, rather spacey, and even a little strange.  The reactions of other students at the school reinforce this impression.  As the story progresses and Landon, in desperation, asks Jamie to the Homecoming dance, things start to shift.  Landon starts to get to know the real Jamie.  As they come to know each other, their friendship blossoms.  Landon realizes that he’s fallen in love with Jamie, and she finally confesses her secret.  Throughout the second part of the book, the maturity of both the characters comes through.  By the end of the book, you are moved by the unselfish love and the amazing strength of both of them.

Information about the Author

On New Year’s Eve, 1965, Nicholas Sparks was born in Omaha, NE.  Because his father was a graduate student, the Sparks family moved a lot during Nicholas’ early years.  He later went to Notre Dame on a Track Scholarship, and graduated in 1988.  Sparks has since written many books—five of which were best-sellers.  Four of his books, Message in a Bottle (1999), A Walk to Remember (2002), The Notebook (2004), and Nights in Rodanthe (2008) were made into blockbuster movies. He now lives in North Carolina with his wife of 13 years; 3 sons, and twin daughters.  For more information, go to:  Nicholas Sparks.

Genre

Realistic Fiction

Romance

Curriculum Tie-ins

None

Booktalk Ideas

1. What do you think of Landon’s decision to marry Jamie?
2. Discuss the ending.  How would you have written it?

Reading level/Interest age

Adult Cross-over (ages 16-Adult)

Challenge Issues/Challenge Response Ideas

None, but be prepared by:

• Be ready with a copy of the library’s selection policy.
• Be familiar with similar works in the collection.
• Refer to ALA’s Intellectual Freedom resources.

Why I included this work

The 2002 movie adaptation of this book became wildly popular among young adults.

Great Quote from the Book:

Landon: “Jamie has faith in me. She makes me want to be different, better.”