NOT IF I SEE YOU FIRST
Parker Grant doesn’t need 20/20 vision to see right
through you. That’s why she created the Rules:
Don’t treat her any differently just because she’s
blind, and never take advantage. There will be no
second chances. Just ask Scott Kilpatrick, the boy
who broke her heart.
When Scott suddenly reappears in her life after
being gone for years, Parker knows there’s only
one way to react—shun him so hard it hurts. She has enough on her mind
already, like trying out for the track team (that’s right,
Parker Grant doesn’t need 20/20 vision to see right
through you. That’s why she created the Rules:
Don’t treat her any differently just because she’s
blind, and never take advantage. There will be no
second chances. Just ask Scott Kilpatrick, the boy
who broke her heart.
When Scott suddenly reappears in her life after
being gone for years, Parker knows there’s only
one way to react—shun him so hard it hurts. She has enough on her mind
already, like trying out for the track team (that’s right, her eyes don’t work
but her legs still do), doling out tough-love advice to her painfully naive
classmates, and giving herself gold stars for every day she hasn’t cried since
her dad’s death three months ago. But avoiding her past quickly proves
impossible, and the more Parker learns about what really happened—both
with Scott, and her dad—the more she starts to question if things are always
as they seem. Maybe, just maybe, some Rules are meant to be broken.
- Poppy
- Hardcover
- December 2015
- 320 Pages
- 9780316259859
Buy the Book
$18.00
About Eric Lindstrom
Eric Lindstrom is a BAFTA and WGA-nominated
veteran of the interactive entertainment industry. Not if I See You First is
his debut novel.
Praise
“Thoughtful and honest, with characters that made me laugh, cry, and surprised
me at every turn. It’s a book I’ll recommend for years to come.”—Kody Keplinger, bestselling author of The DUFF
“A beautiful story about love, loss, friendship, and the difference between
looking and truly seeing.”—Jennifer Brown, author of Hate List
“This book is fierce, funny, and honest. And get ready for some of the most
likable characters you’ve read in years.”—Deb Caletti, National Book
Award finalist
“Parker Grant is unforgettable: vivid, feisty, and absolutely loveable. This
book broke my heart, but left me smiling.”—Fiona Wood, author of
Wildlife and Six Impossible Things
Discussion Questions
As the novel is told from the perspective of a blind
narrator, the characters are not introduced with the
usual physical descriptions that authors often rely upon.
What are some unconventional descriptors that Eric
Lindstrom uses?
How do people intentionally and unintentionally break Parker’s Rules?
How does Parker’s reliance on her rules change over the course of the
novel?
Rule #11 is: “Don’t be weird.” Why is this rule important to Parker, and
why might it be a challenging one for the people in Parker’s life?
Parker claims that she “tells it like it is” and practices tough love, but
sometimes her opinions come across as abrasive or mean. How do you
differentiate between being honest and being kind?
What factors contribute to the tension in Parker’s relationship with
Aunt Celia? What might Celia’s perspective be on their situation?
Why does Parker wear blindfolds? What do you think the blindfolds
symbolize?
Once Parker learns the truth about Scott’s middle school “prank,” she
second-guesses her initial reaction to the incident. Do you believe
the depth of Parker’s anger was justified at the time? Should she have
forgiven Scott sooner, or did she make the right decision?
Even after Parker has forgiven Scott, he doesn’t want to be friends with
her. Do you believe his reasoning is justified?
What insights did you get from the novel about the life of someone
navigating the world as a blind person? What insights did you get
about navigating the world as a typical teenager?
The title on the book jacket is Not if I See You First, but the Braille says
something different. Decipher the Braille. Now that you’ve read Parker
Grant’s story, what does this second message mean to you?