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librarydosebykristy's review
5.0
A stunning, perfect book. Five well deserved, tear stained stars. I can’t say too much without spoiling its secrets but you should know that it will definitely make you remember all of the things you’ve experienced/experience in life both wonderful and traumatic. So trigger warnings for that. #bookstagram
gabalodon's review
5.0
This book was quite a ride. I started it expecting something along the lines of a creepily perfect town (like I don't know - an HOA run by demons or bodysnatchers, but for middle-grade!), but the first fifty pages made it clear that it was going to be more of a sad read rather than creepy. I guessed what was going unsaid very early on, so spent the next 150 pages just feeling bummed and frustrated as the MC tried to deal with the town's situation. Yet somehow, even though I knew where it was all going and there were never any big surprises, I was pretty much crying for the entire last 50 pages.
This ended up being a powerful, beautifully-executed commentary on emotions, individuality, communication, family, friends, and the inescapable, messy complications that make life sometimes sad and unbearable, but also sweet and exciting and joyful, often all at the same time. It did an amazing job bringing home the message that sometimes trying to get rid of something painful also means losing something precious, and the imperfections and transience of a good thing make it that much more valuable.
Highly recommend, but maybe with a box of tissues.
This ended up being a powerful, beautifully-executed commentary on emotions, individuality, communication, family, friends, and the inescapable, messy complications that make life sometimes sad and unbearable, but also sweet and exciting and joyful, often all at the same time. It did an amazing job bringing home the message that sometimes trying to get rid of something painful also means losing something precious, and the imperfections and transience of a good thing make it that much more valuable.
Highly recommend, but maybe with a box of tissues.
lanica's review
2.0
Nope.
I read this because it is a Mock Newbery title for our school. At page 141 I almost threw it out the window. I would have stopped reading, except I wanted to be able to fully discuss it with the kids at book club. It's 326 pages long. I did it, but it was a long and tedious slog.
Two things made this a failed read.
First - I am sick of books about twins and their amazing 'twinness'. I don't know if it's because I have identical twin sons, and so I 'see' them more than other people...or if there are more books on the market about twins...but, I am really tired of books that hint at the magic between twins. Too much. Overdone. Inaccurate. Cliche.
Second - So many words...no content. This book should have run about a third the length it did. The first half of the book is about how a family moves from a normal city to a perfect town. Why? We get hints about a tragedy. And then we get more information about how perfect teh town is and more hints about why they left the city. And more about the preftect town and more hints (but no development) of a sadness that they were trying to leave behind. Slow...slow...slow...and tiny bits of information are handed out in teeny tiny increments.
I am not a fan and will not be recommending this to anyone I know, student or adult.
Why 2 stars instead of 1? Because the wrap up - done in a few quick chapters...was on point and something worth reading.
I read this because it is a Mock Newbery title for our school. At page 141 I almost threw it out the window. I would have stopped reading, except I wanted to be able to fully discuss it with the kids at book club. It's 326 pages long. I did it, but it was a long and tedious slog.
Two things made this a failed read.
First - I am sick of books about twins and their amazing 'twinness'. I don't know if it's because I have identical twin sons, and so I 'see' them more than other people...or if there are more books on the market about twins...but, I am really tired of books that hint at the magic between twins. Too much. Overdone. Inaccurate. Cliche.
Second - So many words...no content. This book should have run about a third the length it did. The first half of the book is about how a family moves from a normal city to a perfect town. Why? We get hints about a tragedy. And then we get more information about how perfect teh town is and more hints about why they left the city. And more about the preftect town and more hints (but no development) of a sadness that they were trying to leave behind. Slow...slow...slow...and tiny bits of information are handed out in teeny tiny increments.
I am not a fan and will not be recommending this to anyone I know, student or adult.
Why 2 stars instead of 1? Because the wrap up - done in a few quick chapters...was on point and something worth reading.
shirleytupperfreeman's review
Twins Elodee and Naomi's world has been rocked by something the reader only gradually begins to understand. When their mom finds a job in Eventown, the whole family moves there believing a fresh start will help them right their world again. As the name suggests, everything and everyone is "even" in Eventown - there are no messy feelings, no messy projects and everything is "perfect." Naomi and her parents readily turn in their 'stories' at the welcoming center. Elodee is less willing and her welcoming process gets interruped. Eventually Elodee and others bust open the secrets of Eventown. This is a good story for encouraging kids to feel all the feels even when they're hard or sad.
petite_madeline's review against another edition
5.0
Eventown is surprisingly thoughtful and slow-paced for contemporary juvenile fiction, but in a great way. It's a story that adults can enjoy and connect with as well. Eventown is a beautiful, picturesque, all-American town, but it has an eerie undercurrent reminiscent of Stepford. Corey Ann Haydu, through her book, says a lot about memories, love, and the smokescreen of the "perfect life."
Even though it is kept secret from the main characters, it's easy for the reader to figure out the underlying trauma at the base of the story. However, when the secret is officially revealed, it still punches the reader in the gut with real and raw emotion.
The mature themes at the end of the story are quite a shock, especially coming from juvenile fiction and the youthful innocence of the main characters. I think this sudden shift is incredibly effective at drawing the intense flow of suppressed emotions from the reader and parallels the characters' experiences. (I definitely cried for a good while at the end!)
Note: Review is of the Advanced Reader Copy
Even though it is kept secret from the main characters, it's easy for the reader to figure out the underlying trauma at the base of the story. However, when the secret is officially revealed, it still punches the reader in the gut with real and raw emotion.
The mature themes at the end of the story are quite a shock, especially coming from juvenile fiction and the youthful innocence of the main characters. I think this sudden shift is incredibly effective at drawing the intense flow of suppressed emotions from the reader and parallels the characters' experiences. (I definitely cried for a good while at the end!)
Note: Review is of the Advanced Reader Copy
lannthacker's review against another edition
3.0
A family struggling with an unknown tragedy moves to beautiful Eventown, where every day is sunny and lovely and the same. When Elodee can't shake the family's past and stop asking questions, cracks in Eventown begin to show. Middle grade magical realism novel dealing with mental illness, feeling different, and growing apart from twins or close friends.
mollygoods's review against another edition
4.0
A quick page turner. It is a bit angsty in that you know you’re missing a piece of the story and have a few hints, but nothing concrete. This could be annoying, but I found it hard to put down as I wanted to know they story and what happens. So overall it is a fantastic book. It reminds you of why hard feelings are important as they intermix with good feelings. That pain and discomfort are not just tragic, but human. It does seem to end almost abruptly, but I was ready to wrap it up so it didn’t bother me.
sigfig's review
5.0
I don't have words yet for this masterpiece. Woven together so intricately and then hits you in the feels.