*"This savvy, insightful take on the modern family makes for nearly nonstop laughs."—Kirkus Reviews, Starred
Stewart, 13: Socially clueless genius.
Ashley, 14: Popular with everyone but her teachers
Ashley's and Stewart's worlds collide when Stewart and his dad move in with Ashley and her mom. The Brady Bunch it isn't. Stewart is trying to be 89.9 percent happy about it--he's always wanted a sister. But Ashley is 110 percent horrified. She already has to hide the real reason her dad moved out; “Spewart”could further threaten her position at the top of the social ladder.
They're complete opposites, but they have one thing in common: they—like everyone else—are made of molecules.
In this hilarious and deeply moving story, award-winning author Susin Nielsen has created two narrators who will steal your heart and make you laugh out loud. Praise
NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People
Nominated for the George Peach Book Award for Teen Readers
Nominated to the Pacific Northwest Young Reader’s Choice Award
Texas Lone Star Reading List
"A laugh-out-loud story of two teens learning to adjust to unusual family life that neither expected...Everyone from teenagers to adults will enjoy this story of ups and downs, laughter and tears, and the healing power of love."--VOYA
*"Drama, humour, poignancy, and suspense are rarely found in such perfect proportions..some truly funny writing...stellar, top notch stuff."—Quill & Quire, Starred What Other Authors Are Saying
“Susin Nielsen is one of the best writers working today. In We Are All Made of Molecules, her astonishing ability to combine insight, tenderness, poignancy, and uproarious humor is in full flower. Susin Nielsen is a genius, and kids and adults alike will adore this book.” —Susan Juby, author of The Truth Commission
“What a skilled, gifted writer Susin is!…There’s so much to love about this story . . . but what grabbed me the most is the humor.” —Christopher Paul Curtis, Newbery Medal–winning author of Bud, Not Buddy and The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963
Another solid book from Nielsen. I enjoyed the focus on the difficulties of blending a family, as well as exploring loss of a parent, divorce, acceptance, and a few other relevant issues.
For me, the star of this book was Stewart. I just loved that kid so much. He faced a lot of challenges - being the youngest in his grade, the loss of his mother, his father's new romance, a new school, his not so kind sort-of step sister, and he took all those challenges in stride. He had the biggest heart, and made me cry every time he spoke about his mother. I adored how he dug for those memories of his mother, when he was in tough situations, and I thought she would have been proud of the sometimes very brave choices he made.
And like, how could I not love a kid that named his cat Schrödinger.
