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Title: We are All Made of Molecules
Author: Susin Nielsen
Target: Grade 7 and up
Series: No
What this book is about:
Told in alternating voices, thirteen year old Stewart is academically gifted but socially awkward and fourteen year old Ashley is the popular girl with a mean streak. Their worlds are thrust together when Stewart’s father and Ashley’s mother move into together and they become defacto sister and brother. Stewart is still dealing with the aftermath of his mother’s death and Ashley is trying to get her head around the fact that her father has announced that he is a gay man. While Stewart is giving this brother/sister relationship the old college try, Ashley is anything but pleased about what this means to her social standing.
Told in alternating voices, thirteen year old Stewart is academically gifted but socially awkward and fourteen year old Ashley is the popular girl with a mean streak. Their worlds are thrust together when Stewart’s father and Ashley’s mother move into together and they become defacto sister and brother. Stewart is still dealing with the aftermath of his mother’s death and Ashley is trying to get her head around the fact that her father has announced that he is a gay man. While Stewart is giving this brother/sister relationship the old college try, Ashley is anything but pleased about what this means to her social standing.
Why I love this book:
While this book does deal with the larger subjects of bullying, social pressure and death, it does so with both seriousness and humor. There were several places when I laughed out loud during this story.
While this book does deal with the larger subjects of bullying, social pressure and death, it does so with both seriousness and humor. There were several places when I laughed out loud during this story.
Stewart is an incredibly engaging character because he always seems to find his optimism despite the problems in front of him. Ashley’s downfall is her less than stellar academic ability which leaves her just vulnerable enough that the reader can find some humor and humanity in her.
I also loved the alternating voices because it gives the reader so much insight into the story. However, Stewart is by far the more interesting character so the story is a bit lopsided, despite the fact that Ashley is a good foil for him.
Who this book is for:
This book does have scenes where drinking is involved and a boy tries to take inappropriate pictures of Ashley. Therefore, it is not appropriate for elementary school but is a good reminder for older children about the pressure to drink and the negative consequences that can come from that behavior.
This book does have scenes where drinking is involved and a boy tries to take inappropriate pictures of Ashley. Therefore, it is not appropriate for elementary school but is a good reminder for older children about the pressure to drink and the negative consequences that can come from that behavior.
Final thoughts:
Love the title! When you can’t find anything else in common, hey we are all made from the same stuff.
Love the title! When you can’t find anything else in common, hey we are all made from the same stuff.
To purchase this book:
Click on the following link to connect to Amazon: We Are All Made of Molecules
A portion of each purchase will go to support this blog at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.
A portion of each purchase will go to support this blog at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.
I really liked this one and Lost in the Sun as well. As you said, they had some sad parts, but also were hopeful and engaging. This is way better than straight up SAD which has been turning up more and more!
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