Introduction

Sparks does a good job keeping his readers hooked at the end of every chapter. He will say something like "It wasn't until later that I would learn the reason why". In the opening pages, we learn about Landon's family and the lack of reliability of his father. We also learn about Jamie, the reverend's daughter. Sparks uses supurb diction and imagery to help the readers visualize her characteristics. In the book, we have also learned that Landon is involved in a rather mean group of friends. He is taking a drama class in his senior year of high school, for the purpose of a "slack" class. Little does he know that getting involved in that particular class is what altered his life.