The List of Things That Will Not Change - Rebecca Stead - ★★★★.½

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AUTHOR: Rebecca Stead
GENRE: Middle-grade Fiction.
RATING: 4.5 stars.

12 year old Bea's life changed when her parents divorced four years back. The reason: Bea's dad came out as gay. After their amicable split, her parents gifted her a journal entitled "The List of Things That Will Not Change", the first few entries of which reassure Bea that they will always be a family, though not in the same way as before. Yes, things did change a bit, but with time and love, everyone gets accustomed to modifications in their routine. Now, it's time for one more change. Bea's dad wants to get married to his fiancé Jesse. What upheavals will this bring in Bea's life? You've gotta read the book to find this out.

Bea is one of the sweetest and most realistic protagonists I've seen in dramatic children's fiction. As she herself says, she's wears her heart on her sleeve. She's sweet, she's forgetful, she's a big worrier, she's not afraid to punch someone if they deserve it, she's as real as a child can be. You realise that underneath her brave and brash exterior lies an insecure child looking for reassurance and stability. After Auggie (Wonder) and Genesis (Genesis Begins Again), Bea becomes the third fictional child whom I want to give one tight hug.

The book isn't worth reading just for Bea though. All the supporting characters are memorable and loveable. Well, all except one but I can't tell you who. 😉 Friends, families, teachers, therapists, all are depicted as realistically as possible.

The book brings out the importance of family, trust, communication, support, and acceptance. One of the lines in the book effectively conveys what the purpose of family is: to provide "the kind of love that doesn’t ask you to be anyone but who you are."

Heartily recommended to all middle graders. If you are a crier, keep a box of tissues handy.

Thank you, NetGalley and Andersen Press, for the Advanced Review Copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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