The List of Things That Will Not Change by Rebecca Stead

What I Loved:

I loved the mixture of all of life’s emotions in The List of Things That Will Not Change. It felt like such a real-life story because Rebecca Stead chose to avoid sugar-coating situations. Divorce is a hard topic to write about and Stead balances the story perfectly with a well-balanced mix of heartache and happiness.

How I Felt:

The main character, Bea, is experiencing life-changing events in her family. Her parents are divorced and she is living in the aftermath. Her attitude is lovely. She’s joyful and upbeat, while finding herself troubled with times of anxiety and doubt. I found her to be a perfect middle-grade character that is relatable and real.

The story is focused on Bea, a young girl living in the aftermath of divorce and the changing of family dynamics. Her list of things that will not change is a reminder to herself of how much she is loved when she starts to feel anxious. Bea’s dad announces his engagement to his boyfriend, Jesse and she is elated! Even better, she’s getting a step-sister! Except that maybe, everything not going exactly like she thought it would.

To Read or Not To Read:

I would recommend The List of Things That Will Not Change for a middle-grade reader that enjoys an emotional story about life’s changes and family. I think this is an important book to have available in schools and libraries. It poignantly addresses topics for children that they should have access to.

Where to Find This Book:

The List of Things That Will Not Change by Rebecca Stead is available at these sites.

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After her parents’ divorce, Bea’s life became different in many ways. But she can always look back at the list she keeps in her green notebook to remember the things that will stay the same. The first and most important: Mom and Dad will always love Bea, and each other.

When Dad tells Bea that he and his boyfriend, Jesse, are getting married, Bea is thrilled. Bea loves Jesse, and when he and Dad get married, she’ll finally (finally!) have what she’s always wanted–a sister. Even though she’s never met Jesse’s daughter, Sonia, Bea is sure that they’ll be “just like sisters anywhere.”

As the wedding day approaches, Bea will learn that making a new family brings questions, surprises, and joy.

Just the Facts:

The List of Things That Will Not Change by Rebecca Stead
Page Count: 224 pages
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Imprint: Wendy Lamb Books
Pub Date: April 7, 2020

Rebecca Stead has written five novels for young people:
WHEN YOU REACH ME – A New York Times bestseller and winner of the Newbery Medal and the Boston Globe/Horn Book Award for Fiction.

LIAR & SPY – Winner of the Guardian Prize for Children’s Fiction and a New York Times Book Review Notable Book for Children.

FIRST LIGHT – A Junior Library Guild Selection and a New York Public Library Best Book for Teens.

GOODBYE STRANGER – A New York Times Bestseller and New York Times Book Review Notable Book for Children.

BOB -Co-written by Wendy Mass.

Rebecca lives in New York City with her family.