By Rebecca Stead (author)
"Sensitive, thoughtful story of growing up "
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Longlisted for the UKLA Book Awards 2021
Newbery Medal winner Rebecca Stead writes books that are rich with ideas and acknowledge her readers’ intelligence and intuition. Eight-year-old Bea is the central character in her latest novel, and, typically, there’s lots going on in her life. She divides her time between her mother’s and father’s homes following their divorce and visits a therapist who helps with her anxieties.
The story culminates in her father’s wedding to his new partner, Jesse. As ever, we move back and forth in time, and discover much about Bea’s inner life as well as her daily routine in New York. Relationships with family and friends propel the story and there are some real shocks and surprises for readers, plus a gradual understanding of the things that will never change for Bea.
It’s beautifully written, a thoughtful, sensitive account of growing up and growing resilience and trust.
Fans of Rebecca Stead will also enjoy Kate DiCamillo ’s books and Susin Nielsen ’s.
Sonia and I have a lot in common. Our parents are divorced. Our dads are gay. We both love barbecue potato chips. But she is different from me in at least one way: you can't tell how she's feeling just by looking at her. At all.
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When Bea's dad and his wonderful partner, Jesse, decide to marry, it looks as if Bea's biggest wish is coming true: she's finally (finally!) going to have a sister. They're both ten. They're both in fifth grade.
Though they've never met, Bea knows that she and Sonia will be perfect sisters. Just like sisters anywhere, Bea thinks. But as the wedding day approaches, Bea makes discoveries that lead her to a possibly disastrous choice.
Making a new family brings questions, surprises, and joy in this brilliant modern classic by Newbery Medalist Rebecca Stead.
I have been a huge fan of Rebecca's writing since When You Reach Me , so it's no surprise that her newest book is an absolute original; marvelous, lovely, a story that kids will love. - R. J. Palacio, bestselling author of Wonder
No author writing today observes young lives with more clarity, tenderness, and grace than the one and only Rebecca Stead. - Katherine Applegate, Newbery Medalist and New York Times bestselling author
This is a story of love that enlarges, even though it is not always easy. We cheer for and are cheered by Bea's quiet triumphs because they are triumphs of the heart. - Gary D. Schmidt
Stead is one of my very favourite writers, capturing that moment on the cusp between childhood and adolescence with great clarity. -- Fiona Noble - The Bookseller
Rebecca Stead's writing is always infused with the tender minutiae of being alive, with the price we have to pay to be human. This book, along with its perfect title, is 'Typical Rebecca Stead.' And that's a heartfelt compliment. - Christopher Paul Curtis
From the moon, the wedding, and the cake, to Bea's mind, Rebecca has captured everything so completely, so beautifully. Truly a wonderful work. - Patricia Reilly Giff
My love for this book is something that will never change. Bea, with all her flaws and charms, will find her way into readers' hearts, just as she did mine. Stead truly understands the inner life of kids, very much like Judy Blume-which I consider the highest compliment. - Erin Entrada Kelly
Rebecca Stead grew up in New York City where she lives today with her husband and two sons. Rebecca used to be a lawyer and wrote books for adults before turning to younger fiction. Her second book for children, When You Reach Me , won the Newbery Medal 2010, and her follow-up, Liar and Spy , was the winner of the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize. She now combines her writing with work as a literary agent.
On her website she credits her son with inspiring her to write a children's novel, but not in the way one would expect. For years she had collected story ideas and short stories on a laptop, which the child pushed off a table, destroying it and losing all her 'serious' writing. As a way to lighten her mood she began again with something light-hearted. The creation of First Light followed.
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I liked this book because of the way it was written to gradually drew you in more and more until you were completely enthralled.
This book is about a girl called Beatrice or Bea for short, all Bea wants is a sister to have fun with. After her parents divorce, her dad is going to marry Jesse and she will finally have a sister. I found this book a very interesting read because it starts with a story that her dad told her, about him and his brother standing in a field listening to the corn grow and it continues to reflect upon that tale throughout the whole story. It is a novel that has lots of different meanings hidden beneath the surface such as being honest, accepting who people are and forgiveness. These traits are displayed by different characters throughout the book.... Read Full Review
Overall, I think this is a great book, very well-written and with an engaging storyline.
This is a book about a young girl and her story of having gay dads.
It is an excellent read, it encompasses many of the experiences of having gay dads. The fact that it is written from a child's perspective, accurately displaying feelings (and descriptions of feelings) of children, makes the book very relatable and interesting for young readers. I really enjoyed reading this book, and definitely recommend it to those who want to find out more about gay relationships in a simplified way.
The book also describes some struggles of children whose parents are straight, but simply divorced, e.g moving between houses, or just regular problems of growing up.... Read Full Review
This story is an excellent description of the troubles of modern life as a child.
When I first looked at the title I thought it would be a bit girly. But as soon as I started reading I realised that I'd judged it too soon. This story is an excellent description of the troubles of modern life as a child and explains that just because someone doesn't agree with your choices doesn't mean you have to change them. Lots of people didn't agree or like the dads' choices but they ignored their opinions and carried on with how they wanted their life to be. I was also interested to know more about Bea's life when I read how different it was from mine. It gives you a good explanation of how someone whose parents are divorced might feel, which helps you understand what having divorced parents is like. It also lets you empathise if someone you know has divorced parents.... Read Full Review
Sonia and I have a lot in common. Our parents are divorced.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed The List of Things that Will Not Change and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-12 years old
The List of Things that Will Not Change features in the following genres: Books of the Month, Recommendations, Stories about Family and Friends, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Featured Books for 11+ readers, PSHE: Divorce, PSHE: Family Issues, Personal Social Health Economic (PSHE), PSHE: Self-Awareness, Self-Esteem and Wellbeing, PSHE: Siblings, Featured Books for 9+ readers, Books Reviewed by our Reader Review Panels
Paperback, Hardback, CD-Audio, . £7.19, down from the £7.99 cover price. In Stock.
The List of Things that Will Not Change was written by Rebecca Stead and published by Andersen Press
The List of Things that Will Not Change has 224 pages
£7.19, reduced from £7.99. In Stock.
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