How does the novel’s opening prologue frame the reader’s understanding of Ruth’s character and motivations when she becomes an adult? Closely read the prologue for evidence to support your answer.

Analyze how the physical geography and natural environment of Block Island are used to mirror and influence Ruth’s internal emotional state.

How does Garvey use tangible objects like photographs, handwritten letters, and paintings to explore the reliability of memory? How does this contribute to Ruth’s personal arc towards the ownership of her personal agency?

Does the conflict between Ruth and Lynn sustain its class critique all the way to the resolution of the narrative? How do Lynn’s motivations impact this reading of her antagonism?

How does the novel portray the working conditions of people in picturesque settings like Block Island? Make sure to discuss these conditions in the context of Ruth’s personal character arc.

Discuss Garvey’s decision to end the narrative with all the complicated romantic dynamics essentially frustrated. How does this subversion of romantic tropes support or subvert the conventions of the coming-of-age story?

The guide positions June Baby within the “elevated beach read” tradition. If you have read a novel by Elin Hilderbrand, compare its treatment of a seaside setting and complex emotional themes to Garvey’s approach in this book.

Discuss the way the novel portrays mentorship, especially in the context of Diana’s absence for most of the narrative. Do students thrive better once their apprenticeship has ended? Why or why not?