About This Book
In Deb Caletti's "Wild Roses," seventeen-year-old Cassie Morgan lives in Washington State, grappling with the complexities of first love and a deeply troubled family life. Her stepfather, Dino Cavalli, is a world-renowned violinist whose genius is overshadowed by increasingly erratic, paranoid, and bullying behavior. As Cassie falls for Ian Waters, Dino's gifted young violin student, she finds herself caught between protecting her family's image and confronting the dangerous reality of Dino's deteriorating mental state. This young adult novel delves into themes of love, fear, resilience, and the heavy weight of family secrets, offering a poignant look at how a teenager navigates intense emotional challenges.
In Washington State, seventeen-year-old Cassie learns about the good and bad sides of both love and genius while living with her mother and brilliant, yet disturbed, violinist stepfather and falling in love with a gifted young musician.
mental_health_themes
peril_danger
Romantic Content
Discussion Prompts
1
How does Cassie's love for Ian complicate her feelings and responsibilities towards her stepfather, Dino?
2
What are some of the challenges Cassie faces in trying to protect her family's secrets, and what are the potential consequences of keeping them?
3
How does the book portray mental illness, and what impact does Dino's condition have on Cassie and her mother?
4
Discuss the idea of "love and genius" as presented in the story. Can genius sometimes be linked to difficult or destructive behaviors?
5
What choices does Cassie make that demonstrate bravery or resilience in the face of her difficult circumstances?
External Reviews
If Your Family Enjoyed This
Reviews
No reviews yet — be the first to share how this book landed with your family.