Reviews

Hazel's Theory of Evolution by Lisa Jenn Bigelow

arnoldad1's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny reflective tense 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? No

5.0

jananih's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

shirleytupperfreeman's review against another edition

What a brave, and beautiful, novel. Thirteen-year-old Hazel has been redistricted to a new middle school for eighth grade requiring her to leave best friend Becca behind. Adding stress to the already difficult situation is the fact that one of Hazel’s moms is expecting a baby. That would be super cool except Mimi’s last two pregnancies ended with late term miscarriages and the family is still reeling from those losses. As Hazel evolves, she begins to understand that love is worth the risk of loss, that friendship is a two-way street and that cheerleaders aren’t automatically bad people.

sleepysamreads's review against another edition

5.0

I loved everything about this book. It had such beautiful and organic diversity. I wish I had it when I was in middle school.

caitfoges's review against another edition

5.0

~ 5.0 ~

This is a perfect Middle Grades novel - heartfelt through and through. Plus there are gay moms AND goats! What more could you want?!

I relate so deeply to Hazel, who feels all the feelings and finds solace in encyclopedias and her animal friends. I too lost a best friend to cheerleading and not being "cool enough." Middle School is tough, and even moreso while experiencing heartbreak at home (content warning for miscarriage, but it is handled with such care).

Hazel is cautious about hoping, preferring to hibernate instead. Yet, as Hazel realizes, "Friendship might be a twice-in-a-lifetime opportunity." What joy to find friends who love and appreciate you for who you are, oddities and all. One of Hazel's new friends is trans, and the other is disabled, and both of their stories are told with such grace, acknowledging their struggles without making their "otherness" their entire identity.

I can't wait to share this book with kids in my life, and I definitely recommend it to adults too! Oh and the author's note at the end - my heart

chickchick22's review against another edition

4.0

Great book with amazing characters. I was rooting for Hazel every step of the way!

the_argumentative_bong's review against another edition

Unrated (for now), in solidarity with the #HPCUnionStrike

daenknight's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-paced

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

5.0

This was an absolutely powerful book. I rarely have a book that makes me feel so much emotion, and this book had me shedding tears by the end. A wonderful book with strong family themes and concepts that change the way someone thinks. Another book that's one of my top favorites, and one I would recommend to everyone! 

sbelasco40's review against another edition

5.0

This book packs a hell of a punch for a middle grade with an adorable cover! I for sure felt Hazel's grief over losing friends and her mom's miscarriages, and just generally that middle school awfulness where everything is awkward and raw and confusing. Also, excellent goat content.

agnesnutter's review against another edition

5.0

Step away, Darwin, my daughter Hazel is ready to take over.

Really, really lovely story about family and belonging and how growing up can be painful, but it's so very worth it. Cried copiously reading the last couple of paragraphs, then cried a bit more reading the author's note.