Scan barcode
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.
calypsogilstrap's review against another edition
2.0
Too grown up for the intended audience with discussions of Suicide and too much inferencing to build the dystopia. I also don’t feel there is enough explanation of the science of how Eventown works. I understand the philosophy but how is the actual environment working? I wanted more back story and side story information. Love the idea but I personally had too many questions to suspend my disbelief.
shinesalot's review against another edition
5.0
Phenomenal, strange little book. Everything is perfect in Eventown - the air, the ice cream, the blueberries...or is it. Elodee and her twin Naomi move to Evertown with their parents to start fresh. At first Everton g is wonderful, but it doesn’t take long before Elodee notices something isn’t quite right - and she wonders if it’s her, because in the past it’s often been her. She’s the quirky twin, the one that stands out.
This book offers a truly unique look at how to handle our differences, our special family nuances, and how we all, as humans, cope with major life events.
I absolutely love the pacing of this story. It reads almost like a gentle fairy tale, but not. There’s a magical quality to it and Elodee and Naomi are as relatable as two middle school girls can be. Awesome read.
This book offers a truly unique look at how to handle our differences, our special family nuances, and how we all, as humans, cope with major life events.
I absolutely love the pacing of this story. It reads almost like a gentle fairy tale, but not. There’s a magical quality to it and Elodee and Naomi are as relatable as two middle school girls can be. Awesome read.
lfcovington's review against another edition
4.0
Read this during social distancing. I had finished all of my library books so I borrowed this from a teenage friend/neighbor. YA is not my first preference but this story was captivating.
courtneyps's review
Haydu’s writing is lovely and captivating—I finished this in a day. Elodee grapples with all the loneliness of being a kid coming of age, as well as how to feel grief (and joy) when the adults in your life don’t know how to either. Such a cool concept. I’d love to visit Eventown and try the vanilla-rose ice cream and see the sunsets, but just for a visit.
librariandest's review
3.0
This is basically like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind for kids.
As a grown-up, I really don't need to read another story about a supposed utopia that is actually *gasp* a dystopia. But, of course, to most child readers this will not come off as a tired trope. "Too good to be true" is a real thing, kids! Be suspicious of anyone who tells you it's possible to live in this world without discomfort.
As a grown-up, I really don't need to read another story about a supposed utopia that is actually *gasp* a dystopia. But, of course, to most child readers this will not come off as a tired trope. "Too good to be true" is a real thing, kids! Be suspicious of anyone who tells you it's possible to live in this world without discomfort.
thishannah's review
I'm a sucker for the genre of "darkness hidden under a too-perfect exterior" stories, so this was right up my alley. It's like Pleasantville with a touch of Eternal Sunshine, in a kid-accessible package. I loved the themes of embracing imperfections and the painful things in life as a way of appreciating the beautiful parts more fully.
I did think the book was a little long-winded and could have cut down on some of the repetitive moments. It could have easily been 50 or 60 pages shorter without sacrificing much. And even though I have seen the stuff they make on children's TV baking competition shows, I still found Elodee's baking talents a little implausible for an eleven-year-old.
I do think that the book succeeded in dealing with difficult life situations in a way that felt realistic and positive. It wasn't a totally perfect book to me, but the joy of life is in the imperfections!
I did think the book was a little long-winded and could have cut down on some of the repetitive moments. It could have easily been 50 or 60 pages shorter without sacrificing much. And even though I have seen the stuff they make on children's TV baking competition shows, I still found Elodee's baking talents a little implausible for an eleven-year-old.
I do think that the book succeeded in dealing with difficult life situations in a way that felt realistic and positive. It wasn't a totally perfect book to me, but the joy of life is in the imperfections!
sarahd7276's review against another edition
4.0
A heavy hearted story about a family who lost a member and decided its be easier to live in a place where everything was perfect and everyone was perfectly happy instead of living through the grief. But something is strange about this place. Elodee and her twin sister, Naomi, are losing their memories about their former home. Elodee cannot remember her favorite recipes, or much of anything else. But don’t question why everyone is doing the same thing... and certainly don’t plant rose bushes that you’ve brought from your “old life”.
Eventown is a fascinating read about the lengths people will go to in order to forget their pain. But, just because you can’t see it or feel it doesn’t mean it’s not there, lurking.
Eventown is a fascinating read about the lengths people will go to in order to forget their pain. But, just because you can’t see it or feel it doesn’t mean it’s not there, lurking.