Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Absolutely adored this book!

Eleanor is starting a new high school.  She has spent the previous year in foster care.  Her father has a new fiance and stepson and therefore cares not for his own children.  Her mother has remarried and has a new baby.  This is in addition to the other 4 she already has.  Eleanor's stepfather is an abusive alcoholic who clearly has a perverted sexual attraction to his stepdaughters.  Upon their marriage, Eleanor, her siblings, and mother move to Richie's old neighborhood in Omaha.

Park has always been different.  He is half-Korean.  His father is from the old neighborhood crew, same as Richie.  Park is a disappointment to his father.  He can't drive a manual stick shift.  Park and his brother have been taking Martial Arts since childhood, but although he is good at it, he's not really into it.  He'd prefer to read comic books and make punk mixtapes.  He dares to wear eyeliner.  It is 1986.

It is only two black girls who will befriend the bedraggled red-head.  Eleanor wears whatever her mother can buy at Goodwill.  The other white girls treat her poorly and make fun of her for being a little chubby.  Park learns Eleanor has been reading his comics over his shoulder on the bus.  They become friends and eventually a couple. 

Park and Eleanor must keep their relationship secret from Richie.  They go through all the trials of teenage love and then some, thanks to Eleanor's home life.  When things finally reach a breaking point, Park redeems himself in his father's eyes in his efforts to save Eleanor.

A really great read!  Thanks to the student who recommended it!