57 pages • 1 hour read
Until They Bring The Streetcars Back
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Summary and Study Guide
Overview
Until They Bring the Streetcars Back is a young adult novel first published in 1997 by author Stanley Gordon West. The novel follows Cal Gant, a high school senior who becomes close with his classmate, Gretchen Lutterman. Gretchen lives in an abusive household, and Cal becomes intertwined in her life and her pursuit of freedom from her father’s control. Like the teen characters in the book, West grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota, and went to Central High School, basing some characters and events on reality. The story features themes such as The Importance of Resilience, Showing Compassion for Others, and Confronting Mature Issues in Adolescence.
The page numbers refer to the 1997 Lexington Marshall edition.
Content Warning: The book and guide contain discussion of parent-child sexual abuse, infanticide, animal abuse, bullying, suicide ideation, adoption, divorce, ableism, and flippant references to mental health.
Plot Summary
Cal Gant is a senior at Central High School in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1949. Steve Holland is introduced as one of Cal’s best friends. Some of Steve’s struggles are explained, including the death of his little brother and his challenges with polio, which affects his right leg.
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