You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
Effective tale for young readers of the dangers of sweeping all those hard to manage emotions away. In the case of Naomi and Elodee, and their parents, it's a death in the family that leads them to move to Eventown where everything is on an even keel. Everything is perfect, if severely limited in terms of flavor and choice. The library is filled with blank volumes, the residents having told their stories at the Welcoming Center soon after arriving. This has the effect of rendering those memories inaccesable, or maybe they just cease to exist.
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The story unfolds very slowly - it's almost torturous at points how slow it seems. But the end makes it all worth it. Hugely emotional, lots of tears. I would say this is a book for older middle grade readers as the younger ones will lack some life experience to really understand and appreciate the message of the book. We loved it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Mental illness, Suicide
There were things I liked about this book. The character Elodee was likeable. The link between what was happening with Elodee and what happend to the environment in Eventown was interesting. I liked the element of magical realism. The story had more depth than I expected.
The one aspect I had a bit of a hard time getting past is that there was a disparity about in which grade the main character was. On page 53 Elodee talks of her first day of 6th grade in Juniper and later that year her first day of school in Eventown (the family moved during the school year). But then later on pages 62, 76, and 89 Elodee talks of being in the 5th grade, i.e., "In the fifth grade there is only 12 of us...". That discrepancy bothered me. I can't decide if it was intentional and I missed the point, or just an oversight.
The one aspect I had a bit of a hard time getting past is that there was a disparity about in which grade the main character was. On page 53 Elodee talks of her first day of 6th grade in Juniper and later that year her first day of school in Eventown (the family moved during the school year). But then later on pages 62, 76, and 89 Elodee talks of being in the 5th grade, i.e., "In the fifth grade there is only 12 of us...". That discrepancy bothered me. I can't decide if it was intentional and I missed the point, or just an oversight.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide
Oh wow. This book is so beautiful and sad and hopeful. It’s like a new generation’s The Giver, but somehow more personal and nearer to the experience of its readers than its predecessor.
What happens when we forget? Do we want to forget our worst (or best) memories?What does it mean to be perfect? How do we deal with pain? What is the role of imperfection and love and family.
All these questions and more in a middle grade novel that should be read by anyone at any age.
What happens when we forget? Do we want to forget our worst (or best) memories?What does it mean to be perfect? How do we deal with pain? What is the role of imperfection and love and family.
All these questions and more in a middle grade novel that should be read by anyone at any age.
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Grief
Minor: Suicide
Moving, yet unsurprising (for an adult reader). I like the idyllic, subtly unsettling town.
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is like 'The Stepford Wives', but for children. I really enjoyed this story. Its so sweet and sad, yet interesting because you really want to know what the deal is with Eventown.
Why is everything so perfect? Why are there only three flavors of ice cream, one song allowed to be sung, no rain but perfect rose bushes? What exactly is going on at the Welcoming Center?
As for the great sorrow in Naomi and Elodee's, I had suspected what it was, but I was way off in the finer details. I was getting kind of frustrated that they didn't just come out with it and say what it was, but the way it's revealed is absolutely perfect, so be patient...and grab some tissues.
Overall, I definitely recommend this book. It's a great little story with a sweet message...our memories are important. ALL of them. The joyful ones, the painful, the scary, the embarrassing and even the heartbreaking ones we would like to forget. Our memories make us who we are, and who we are as individuals is important and very, very special.
Why is everything so perfect? Why are there only three flavors of ice cream, one song allowed to be sung, no rain but perfect rose bushes? What exactly is going on at the Welcoming Center?
As for the great sorrow in Naomi and Elodee's, I had suspected what it was, but I was way off in the finer details. I was getting kind of frustrated that they didn't just come out with it and say what it was, but the way it's revealed is absolutely perfect, so be patient...and grab some tissues.
Overall, I definitely recommend this book. It's a great little story with a sweet message...our memories are important. ALL of them. The joyful ones, the painful, the scary, the embarrassing and even the heartbreaking ones we would like to forget. Our memories make us who we are, and who we are as individuals is important and very, very special.