The List of Things That Will Not Change

Becca's parents divorced when she was eight years old, but they gave her a notebook listing the important things that would stay constant in her life. She writes in her notebook regularly, processing her feelings about her family's changes while seeing a therapist named Miriam. When Becca's father announces his plans to marry his boyfriend Jesse, she gains the prospect of a new stepfather and stepsister. The upcoming wedding brings both excitement and uncertainty as Becca navigates relationships with her expanding family. The story follows Becca through age twelve as she deals with daily challenges at school, struggles with eczema, and works to understand herself and others. Her observations and experiences paint a picture of family life in New York City. This middle-grade novel explores how children cope with change while celebrating the ways love and family can grow in unexpected directions. The narrative validates complex emotions around divorce and blended families while maintaining hope and warmth throughout.

Readers describe this as a sensitive portrayal of a child dealing with anxiety and family changes. Many reviews note that the story validates children's complex emotions while remaining hopeful. Readers appreciated: - Authentic depiction of therapy and mental health - Realistic portrayal of co-parenting after divorce - LGBTQ+ representation that feels natural - Main character Bea's honest, distinctive voice Common criticisms: - Pacing feels slow for some younger readers - Plot remains small-scale throughout - Some found it too introspective with limited action Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (6,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (280+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 5/5 (parent reviews) One teacher noted: "Perfect for kids experiencing family changes or anxiety." Several parents mentioned their children relating strongly to Bea's lists and worries. Multiple reviews praised how the book handles serious topics without becoming heavy-handed.

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🌟 Rebecca Stead won the Newbery Medal in 2010 for her book "When You Reach Me," establishing her as a leading voice in middle-grade literature 📝 The book explores themes of anxiety and change through the perspective of 12-year-old Bex, who keeps a notebook of things that remain constant in her life 🌈 The story's portrayal of same-sex marriage and blended families reflects the author's commitment to representing modern family structures in children's literature 🗽 Like many of Stead's books, this story is set in New York City, where the author was born, raised, and continues to live 📚 The book was inspired by Stead's own experience as a child of divorced parents, and her desire to show young readers that family love remains constant even when family structures change