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tinysierra's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I wish I had read Hazel’s Theory of Evolution when I was younger. Even thought the words aromantic and asexual weren’t used on page (they were explained at the end of the book), I could’ve related to Hazel so much. I had a friend in my life whose family had always been vocal about how their miscarriage affected their life, and I really felt for them. I think this book also would have helped me understand it more deeply!
Representation:
Lesbian moms
Aroace mc
Representation:
Lesbian moms
Aroace mc
Trans sc
Disabled sc
Disabled sc
Jewish sc
TW: death/miscarriage mentions, pregnancy,premature birth , morning sickness/vomiting mention, bullying (past), animal death (past), ableism faced by side character, car accident (past)
TW: death/miscarriage mentions, pregnancy,
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Miscarriage
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Car accident, Vomit, Bullying, Animal death, and Ableism
kendragaylelee's review against another edition
4.0
Hazel is different than other kids. She like animals -- a lot. Which gets her named Goat Girl & Skunk Girl (used pretty much interchangeably). And, regardless of what adults are apt to say, being different in middle school (and elementary school) is HARD. At least, until you find your people.
But the thing is that Hazel doesn't ever thing she's going to find her people. In fact, she's pretty sure there's just one friend she really needs: Becca, her best friend since third grade. But when they end up at different middle schools, and Becca becomes a cheerleader (!!!), things begin to unravel.
I loved Hazel's Theory of Evolution because it all rang so true. The heartbreak of a best friend break-up, being convinced that no one else in the world feels as alone as you do, being afraid of change--but mostly the mess we make of things when we don't talk about how we feel.
There are so many things happening in this book: all variety of LGBTQIA stuff, infant loss, friendships blooming and wilting. It feels just like I remember middle school being. All the big feelings seem so out-sized to adults... but they are so real when you are feeling them.
Hazel, with her animal obsession and her very literal & logical way of relating to her peers, was so different than I was as a kid. Except not really. Because we're all awkward & weird. And we all just want to fit somewhere.
The way this book dealt with the pain of infant loss and the biological drive that some folks have to bear a child (even when they already have children in their family that they aren't biologically linked to) was tender and unflinchingly honest. The way it navigated all things LGBTQIA was a triumph--because Lisa Jenn Bigelow made it feel all so normal. Like there are so many good ways to be in this world.
I'm pushing this one into my (almost) 11 year old's hands immediately.
But the thing is that Hazel doesn't ever thing she's going to find her people. In fact, she's pretty sure there's just one friend she really needs: Becca, her best friend since third grade. But when they end up at different middle schools, and Becca becomes a cheerleader (!!!), things begin to unravel.
I loved Hazel's Theory of Evolution because it all rang so true. The heartbreak of a best friend break-up, being convinced that no one else in the world feels as alone as you do, being afraid of change--but mostly the mess we make of things when we don't talk about how we feel.
There are so many things happening in this book: all variety of LGBTQIA stuff, infant loss, friendships blooming and wilting. It feels just like I remember middle school being. All the big feelings seem so out-sized to adults... but they are so real when you are feeling them.
Hazel, with her animal obsession and her very literal & logical way of relating to her peers, was so different than I was as a kid. Except not really. Because we're all awkward & weird. And we all just want to fit somewhere.
The way this book dealt with the pain of infant loss and the biological drive that some folks have to bear a child (even when they already have children in their family that they aren't biologically linked to) was tender and unflinchingly honest. The way it navigated all things LGBTQIA was a triumph--because Lisa Jenn Bigelow made it feel all so normal. Like there are so many good ways to be in this world.
I'm pushing this one into my (almost) 11 year old's hands immediately.
theinkwyrm's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
I really enjoyed Hazel’s POV in this book, which feels very neurodivergent coded to me (although it isn’t addressed in the book, so it could just be a me thing). I also loved all the casual representation in this and how Hazel is so clearly ace, which I feel like doesn’t get represented often in fiction in general much less in middle grade fiction. Also, the steps Hazel takes to try and protect herself and her anxiety around the emotional and physical safety of herself and people she loves really resonated with me (now even more so than it would have when I was younger) and made me want the best for her.
thepetitepunk's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
This was so wonderful for so many reasons. Any books about the struggles of being in middle school—friends, fitting in, deciding what you’re now too old for and what you’re still too young for—will always have a special place in my heart.
This was so wonderful for so many reasons. Any books about the struggles of being in middle school—friends, fitting in, deciding what you’re now too old for and what you’re still too young for—will always have a special place in my heart.
haley_cat's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
marieintheraw's review against another edition
4.0
This is such a quiet middle grade story with such a big ending
librarydosebykristy's review against another edition
4.0
Sweet, almost painful to read story about a girl who is authentic and earnest but just doesn’t fit in. She lives on a goat farm with her two moms, one of whom is pregnant again after two late term miscarriages. Hazel is extremely upset and anxious about her mom’s pregnancy and is just waiting for something to go wrong... she’s also going through that inevitable friend breakup that happens around 8th grade.
Really well written. Give to this to the kids who feel like outsiders but are unwilling to change to fit in.
Really well written. Give to this to the kids who feel like outsiders but are unwilling to change to fit in.
jaymeee's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-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
3.0
adillondev's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-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
5.0
Oh, Hazel is going through it. A beautiful story. Cried multiple times.