Reviews

We Are All Made of Molecules by Susin Nielsen

jennifermreads's review against another edition

2.0

Stewart is book smart but socially immature. Ashley is atop the social pyramid but is not cutting it at school. Their worlds join together when their parents move in together. Stewart is ecstatic to finally be gaining a sister but Ashley lives in fear that Stewart will hinder her social standing.

Several other Goodreads reviewers pointed out what also struck me: Stewart didn’t seem 13 and Ashley didn’t seem 14. Going into this book, I thought that maybe Stewart would be reminiscent of Sheldon from Big Bang Theory or Don from The Rosie Project: book smart but socially stunted. But with both Stewart and Ashley, if the ages hadn’t been stated, I never would have placed them in high school. Their voices were much too immature.

I also was very disappointed that any morals that this story would have had seemed very glossed over rather than deeply discussed and/or addressed.

Spoiler

A confrontation with Ashley and Michael, her father’s boyfriend, would have brought Ashley’s prejudice and fear to the forefront and laid the groundwork for a moral about loving people and treating them with respect regardless of sexuality. In addition, I feel like the almost rape of Ashley was glossed over. Jared suffered no real-life affects for his actions. At least there was a wonderful scene with Stewart putting an end to possible sexting by destroying Jared’s phone and, thus, the picture of Ashley.

I was looking for a contemporary read as a distraction. This book served that need. But the book could have been so much more with deeper examination of the social issues it glossed over. As others have said, I’m just not sure to whom I could “sell” this story – or if I even want to try.

danicamidlil's review against another edition

4.0

You have to work really hard to get past the chapters with the female narrator and unfortunately they are every other chapter. Seeing the world from her perspective was just depressing. If my daughter turns out like her, I will have failed the planet. UGH.
Really liked Stewart though.

amj1054's review

emotional lighthearted 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

ijm'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

nglofile's review against another edition

2.0

The person who recommended this to me really, really loved it. I did not.

jazzyjan94's review against another edition

DNF'd - 52 pages.

There was nothing wrong with the book, it just wasn't holding my attention. I might try it again at a later date.

zluvsreading's review against another edition

4.0

I misjudged this book, so much. Ashley’s character development is everything. I want to give her a hug so badly omg. Stewart is an icon tbh. This book made me cry so 5 stars!

brettec's review against another edition

5.0

Loved it!! Couldn't put it down. Very funny and I even liked a "mean girl" character! A change for me haha!

bookbirder's review against another edition

4.0

Nice light read. Made me smile a few times.

juliet_j17's review against another edition

3.0

Found family / Cringe but cute

“A part of us will always be sad, and that we will have to learn to live with it.”