KU Common Book 2014: 1980's Culture

In the novel, The Center of Everything, we follow Evelyn Bucknow as she navigates her way through adolescence during the 1980s.  This section contains information about 1980s culture that Evelyn references in the book.

"The Day After" is a  TV movie released that was released in 1983.  The movie was filmed in Lawrence, KS and depicts the days following a nuclear strike against the United States as families struggle to survive the radiation fallout in a small Kansas town.  Check out the DVD from KU Libraries. 

"First Blood," otherwise known as "Rambo" was released in 1982 and referenced by Travis in The Center of Everything.  Check out the DVD from KU Libraries. 

"The Outsiders" movie was realeased in 1983 and based on the S.E. Hinton novel. 

Evelyn mentions several popular televsion shows in The Center of Everything.  Most of these television series are available for checkout at the Lawrence Public Library.  You can also find clips on YouTube.

The Challenger space shuttle malfunctioned 73 seconds after launch on January 28th, 1986. 

In 1986, Nancy Reagan delivered her "Just say no" campaign. 

Many of the books that Evelyn reads in The Center of Everything, are books that are found on high school reading lists today.