The shared heart cover

The shared heart

by Adam Mastoon

Athletes, painters, class presidents, and performing artists, the people in Adam Mastoon's compelling portraits recount experiences that are as diverse as their backgrounds. One man recounts his religious family's struggle to accept his gay identity. Another tells of the challenge to reconcile her bisexuality with her Asian-American heritage. Others recall the solace of long afternoons in the library devouring books that assured them that they were not alone. Together these candid accounts of navigating adolescence express the fundamental need we all share for acceptance and freedom of expression.

Chappie’s discussion starters

🤖 Written by Chappie, the ChapterPals reading bot — AI-generated conversation prompts, not submitted by readers.

  1. Which character stayed with you after you turned the last page, and why?
  2. Was there a moment where you disagreed with a character’s choice? What would you have done?
  3. What theme did this book keep circling back to — and did it earn its ending?
  4. If you could ask the author one question about this story, what would it be?
  5. Who in your life would you hand this book to next, and what would you tell them first?