The List of Things That Will Not Change

by Rebecca Stead

EIGHT STARRED REVIEWS! The reassuring book kids and families need right now.

"An absolute original . . . a story that kids will love." --R. J. Palacio, bestselling author of Wonder

At a time when everything is changing for Bea and her family, the important things will always stay the same. A soon-to-be classic by the Newbery Award-winning author of When You Reach Me.

After her parents' divorce, Bea's life became different in many ways. But she can always look back at the list she keeps in her green notebook to remember the things that will stay the same. The first and most important: Mom and Dad will always love Bea, and each other.

When Dad tells Bea that he and his boyfriend, Jesse, are getting married, Bea is thrilled. Bea loves Jesse, and when he and Dad get married, she'll finally (finally!) have what she's always wanted--a sister. Even though she's never met Jesse's daughter, Sonia, Bea is sure that they'll be "just like sisters anywhere."

As the wedding day approaches, Bea will learn that making a new family brings questions, surprises, and joy, and readers will discover why the New York Times called Rebecca Stead a "writer of great feeling."

"An undeniably beautiful book." --The New York Times

"No author writing today observes young lives with more clarity, tenderness, and grace." --Newbery Medalist Katherine Applegate, author of The One and Only Ivan

"Stead truly understands the inner life of kids." --Newbery Medalist Erin Entrada Kelly, author of Hello, Universe and You Go First

• ISBN10: 1101938102
• ISBN13: 9781101938102
• Publish Date: 7 April 2020
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Wendy Lamb Books
• Format: Hardcover (Library Binding)
• Pages: 224
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9781101938102

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

The List of Things That Will Not Change is a beautifully and sensitively written novel by Rebecca Stead. Released 7th April 2020 by Penguin Random House on their Wendy Lamb imprint, it's 224 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.

There are few adult writers in my experience who seem to have a good ear for the actual priorities and inner thoughts of middle grade / tween readers, and Ms. Stead is one of the few. This is a very well written and engaging book which has a frankness and reality which is often missing from juvenile literature. The first person point of view adds another layer of directness and the whole has an authenticity which is arresting.

The blurb description is accurate and complete, so I won't try to reiterate. I'd just add that inclusivity and representation are *SO* vital (for everyone, not just kids). Presenting a new normal and family changes written in a first person voice without ever once condescending or being disingenious to the audience is admirable and the author has done it so well here.

Protagonist Bea is a nice kid, normal, not a paragon of virtue or extremely smart, clever, or athletic. She's "everyman" and that's what made her both sympathetic and relatable. Her family has undergone seismic shifts, her dad is remarrying (a man), which is bringing even more changes (stepsiblings). The reality isn't always the same as the dreams and expectations we have and the author renders the story deftly and well.

This is, and will continue to be, classic children's literature. It shouldn't be controversial in any way, but I fear it will garner resistance from some quarters. This would make a superlative library or class library choice, gift for a young reader, and all ages.

Five stars, lovely story very well told.