Reviews with content warning for Grief - Hazel's Theory of Evolution

Can we please have more middle grade contemps like this!?

Rep: white questioning aroace female MC, MC has two moms (one white, one Black), Latine trans female side character, Asian male side character in a wheelchair, Jewish female side character, Black trans male side character (brief mention).

CWs: Bullying (mostly past mentions), grief, infertility, past miscarriages, pregnancy. Moderate: Acephobia/acemisia.

Content Warnings

linesiunderline's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

“There are so many good ways to be in this world.”

This beautiful message encapsulates a lot of what this book is all about. I haven’t read a Middle Grade novel that offers representation in so many ways, without it seeming at all effort full or done to check boxes. This is a book that will give many young readers a feeling of being seen in literature, perhaps for the first time, and that is so important. I hope teachers, librarians and booksellers find ways to get it into the hands of kids who need it most.

I haven’t ever read a book for children where miscarriage and it’s aftermath was so much a part of the story. It is presented in a nuanced, honest way. Perhaps this will be the first time many young readers will even think about this experience, and this book would be a sensitive introduction to this difficult topic.

Loved the family dynamic here, and also the friendships Hazel cultivates. They are complex and imperfect and loving and true.

Hazel is sometimes pretty aggravating, but I suppose that makes her a typical middle schooler. I did find she seemed young for eighth grade. She struck me more as a sixth grader. This would be more of a book to put in the hands of a mature fifth or sixth grader than the average eighth grader I think.

It’s a quiet read, so not all kids will find that appealing, but no book is made for all kids.

A lovely read about how change comes to our lives, whether we are ready or not, and growing through it.

Content Warnings

sweekune's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

4.5/5

A wholesome and informative book. This middle grade book would be a great resource for learning about many things in an organic and interesting way.

The Good:
- A very diverse cast of characters: LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, disability, religious views. The author did a great job of making the character so varied yet not in a forced way.
- The discussions about miscarriage and pregnancy issues were brilliant. I am a midwife and anything that breaks down taboos about this subject is brilliant. Children should be exposed to the concepts and this book does this well.
- The trials of friendship as a kid/early teen really rang home.
- Grief is a central theme of this story and different characters process it differently.
- There are some parts of this book where adults impart wisdom to Hazel and honestly, I wish an adult in my life had said those things to me as a kid.

What could have been better?:
- Occasionally Hazel's attitude to life was really grating and brought me out of the story.

A brilliant book that would make an excellent addition to an older child's bookshelf.

Content Warnings

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