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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
Think [b:The Giver|3636|The Giver (The Giver, #1)|Lois Lowry|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1342493368i/3636._SY75_.jpg|2543234] and Pleasantville and The Stepford Wives. When Elodee and her twin and their parents move to Eventown, it seems perfect: perfect weather, perfect houses, perfect roses and ice cream and food and people. Elodee's family needs a dose of perfection, because the last year has not been easy. But while Elodee's parents and sister seem desperate to put the past behind them and embrace everything Eventown has to offer, Elodee isn't so sure. She wants to retain her individuality and her energy and her sometimes-they-work-and-sometimes-they-don't recipe ideas. (Elodee has some pretty great recipe ideas.) And gradually, Elodee starts to wonder: why are so many things not allowed? Why are there only three ice cream flavours? Where has all the music gone? Why does everyone look askance at her when she asks questions? And what exactly did Elodee lose when the town's adults sat her down and asked about her strongest, most important memories?
The Big Reveal (if not the exact circumstances) was guessable, but overall this felt like a really nice twist on an established sort of story, one with solid messages for its intended MG audience. I'd have loved to see a little more about the mechanics/decisions of the town: how does anything grow if it never rains? What's the danger in more than three flavours of ice cream? What happens if people leave? At the end, the family mentions . But again, what's in here works well for its MG context.
The Big Reveal (if not the exact circumstances) was guessable, but overall this felt like a really nice twist on an established sort of story, one with solid messages for its intended MG audience. I'd have loved to see a little more about the mechanics/decisions of the town: how does anything grow if it never rains? What's the danger in more than three flavours of ice cream? What happens if people
Spoiler
whose memories are still in the hands of the townSpoiler
coming back to Eventown for holidays, but it's not clear just how much the changes they've wrought have dismantled Eventown, or how much is left to visit
relaxing
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I want to like this book more than I did. I kept finding little mistakes and part of the plot just doesn't make sense. Why doesn't Elodee remember Lawrence when she's still back in Juniper or in Evendown? That's a big hole to me.
It's hard to separate my thinking about this book as an adult versus my thinking about it as a kid would. I pretty much knew what was going on and what was going to happen, but most probably it would be hazier for a nine, ten, or eleven year old. Like The Giver, this book gives the reader a chance to ponder upon the questions: What would it be like to live in a perfect world? It was an OK so-so book for me as an adult, but would probably be quite a bit more than that for me as my 10-year-old self.
This book has just the right amount of tension! All through it, the reader knows something is very wrong is lying just beneath the surface. Subtle hints along the way make what it is not a complete surprise, but the "how" is even more powerful because of that. Highly recommended for grades 4 & up.
4.5 stars
This is “A Brave New World” for kids. I also was reminded of Camazotz in “A Wrinkle in Time”. And also what we learn from the movie Inside Out on emotions coloring our memories. Joyous memories can be tinged with sadness.
This is a good book to think about truth verses comfort, messiness also part of beauty, conformity verses individuality and the joy but also loneliness that can come from being different. It’s about growing up and apart from your family, even an identical twin, and the pain of that emotional separation, and it’s about loss and burying memories versus grieving and celebrating them.
This is “A Brave New World” for kids. I also was reminded of Camazotz in “A Wrinkle in Time”. And also what we learn from the movie Inside Out on emotions coloring our memories. Joyous memories can be tinged with sadness.
This is a good book to think about truth verses comfort, messiness also part of beauty, conformity verses individuality and the joy but also loneliness that can come from being different. It’s about growing up and apart from your family, even an identical twin, and the pain of that emotional separation, and it’s about loss and burying memories versus grieving and celebrating them.
@kidlitexchange #partner--I received a copy of this book from kidlitexchange network in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Releasing February 12, 2019.
Corey Ann Haydu's upcoming middle grade novel "Eventown" is nothing short of beautiful, moving, inspirational, gut-wrenching. All the feelings are felt in this book. The Lively Family makes a move to Eventown to escape their past. Everything seems--and is, in fact--perfect. But quickly, one of the Lively twins, Elodee, begins to ask unwelcome questions.
I've said it before but I'm so grateful for middle grade novels that MEAN something. That will help our young readers feel and learn. This novel is that and more. It is powerful in reminding us that the best and worst parts of our lives make us. I highly recommend this incredible book.
Thank you to @coreyannhaydu , @math erinetegenbooks and @kidlitexchange for this review copy
Releasing February 12, 2019.
Corey Ann Haydu's upcoming middle grade novel "Eventown" is nothing short of beautiful, moving, inspirational, gut-wrenching. All the feelings are felt in this book. The Lively Family makes a move to Eventown to escape their past. Everything seems--and is, in fact--perfect. But quickly, one of the Lively twins, Elodee, begins to ask unwelcome questions.
I've said it before but I'm so grateful for middle grade novels that MEAN something. That will help our young readers feel and learn. This novel is that and more. It is powerful in reminding us that the best and worst parts of our lives make us. I highly recommend this incredible book.
Thank you to @coreyannhaydu , @math erinetegenbooks and @kidlitexchange for this review copy
“Love has a lot to do with imperfections.” It was interesting to read this just after reading Coyote Sunrise - I don’t want to say too much but they both deal with escaping grief in different ways. This one was much stronger to me. It reminded me a bit of City of Ember (in a good way) and of course there were aspects of The Giver. I liked the wrong feeling of the new town although I think I would have liked it to be just a little bit creepier. Maybe a tiny bit more like Camazotz. Anyway, this was great.
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced