The plot of the book is structured around Finch and Violet's "wanders." Long story short: their U.S. Geography teacher has asked the class to pair off, visit wondrous sites around their home state, and report back for a grade.
Our dynamic duo takes the project very seriously, in part because they're using it as an excuse to make out all over the state of Indiana.
Finch has a good time during their wandering, but the person who benefits from it most is Violet. She's slowly learning how to reinhabit her own life, which she felt like she had to abandon after the death of her sister. Traveling around the state with the boy she loves, Violet sees the world through a new set of eyes.
Questions About Exploration
- Which of the "wanders" do you think Violet enjoys the most? What about Finch? Explain your answers.
- Why is this school project so healing for Violet? What does it teach her?
- Do you think Violet would have still learned from the project if her partner hadn't been Finch? Why or why not?
Chew on This
Traveling around Indiana leads Violet on an inward journey.
Like life itself, "wandering" is what you make it of it. It can be beautiful or boring depending on your point of view.