An NPR Best Book of the Year
Praise for The List of Things That Will Not Change:"A fabric woven of exactly the right threads.... An
undeniably beautiful book."
—The New York Times ★ “Uplifting without sentimentality, timely not trendy, and
utterly engaging.”
—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ “An emotional character journey from
a middle-grade master." —
Booklist, starred review
★ “
An affecting story of significant middle grade change.” —
Publishers Weekly, starred review
★ “The angst and worries that middle grade readers experience are brought to life through Bea’s authentic voice in this
must-read title.” —School Library Journal, starred review
★ “The strength of this novel lies in Stead’s
authentic, respectful, low-key approach to the emotional life of a ten-year-old as recalled from the perspective of her slightly older self.” —
The Horn Book, starred review
★ “Ultimately,
Bea survives, thrives, and grows as love remains constant but her world gets bigger, and readers negotiating their own changing lives will relate to her challenge and applaud her triumph.” —
The Bulletin, starred review
★ “Stead
masterfully explores the internal life of a girl going through both extraordinary and run-of-the-mill trials
in a way that tells readers they are not alone in their complicated, contradictory feelings about the world.” —
Shelf Awareness, starred review
★ "A
dazzling middle grade novel from Newbery Medalist Rebecca Stead." —
BookPage, starred review
"
An absolute original . . . 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." —Newbery Medalist
Katherine Applegate, author of
The One and Only Ivan "
Stead truly understands the inner life of kids." —Newbery Medalist
Erin Entrada Kelly, author of
Hello, Universe and
You Go First“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, author of the Newbery Honor winners
Lily’s Crossing and
Pictures of Hollis Woods “
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, author of
The Wednesday Wars and
Pay Attention, Carter Jones “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.” —Newbery Medalist
Christopher Paul Curtis, author of
The Watsons Go To Birmingham—1963 and
Bud, Not Buddy
Coverage from NPR
“Rebecca Stead masterfully captures the voice of middle-schooler Bea, who struggles with anxiety and doesn’t always handle her emotions without some kind drama. Things kick into high gear when her parents announce they are divorcing, and her dad tries to incorporate his partner, Jesse, and his daughter into the family. Stead’s latest sensitively deals with issues of gay marriage and blended families, as well as anxiety and coping with one’s emotions. Highly recommend.”
