Honest Book Prepares Kids for Social Issues Faced in High School

Written by Isabelle Semas

I most certainly recommend The Right Person by Stacy A. Padula to those who are going into high school and those who are homeschooled.  Neither have experienced the high school party scene, and are therefore blind to its evils. This story shows in detail how simple it is for peer pressure and temptations to ruin a person’s life, especially the life of a young teen.

The Right Person opened my eyes to the raw truth of popularity.  Everyone loves main character Chris Dunkin until he wants to give up the party scene and go to church.  They become angry with him. Courtney moves in the opposite direction, craving the party life, and  going to great lengths to attain them. This story taught me that when you turn your life around, you will find who your true friends are, and that popularity is not fulfilling.

This book is honest. It loudly declares that the things the world offers to fulfill you- drugs, alcohol, popularity- can’t quench your thirst.  But The Right Person does not stop there. It also offers the solution, which is a relationship with Christ. Major themes were popularity, and the struggle between good and evil.  As Chris moved away from sinful habits, he was rejected. As Courtney moved toward these things, she regretted her relationship with Chris.  Light repels the darkness. The craving for popularity often motivated many characters to make the decisions which drove the plot, and influenced their decisions.

Though I have never experienced public high school, the craving of popularity and the effects of peer pressure are relatable.  The characters are realistic, I felt like I saw bits of each character in the faces of my friends and acquaintances. I understand the “I am alone” mindset that some of the characters feel, and the misconception that we, as teens, know it all.