"The List of Things That Will Not Change" by Rebecca Stead is a middle-grade novel about a girl whose dad is getting married -- to another man. While the depiction of Beatrice's new stepfather is overwhelmingly positive, the difficult transition "Bea" experiences splitting her time between two households (her mother's and her father's) is relatable and well done.

While the subject matter (same-sex marriage) is a relatively new theme addressed in middle-grade fiction, the pacing and tone of the story is gentle and pleasant, without too much drama or narrative twists. I thought the stepsister relationship might be more fraught with some secret character defect being revealed -- that her stepsister might be more troubled or rebellious-- but (spoiler alert), the stepsister just has a different way of handling this big family transition than Bea does.

The scenes with Bea and her therapist, Miriam, are well done. Miriam is a likable, clever, and competent guide. As other reviewers have mentioned, this story might help normalize and destigmatize the idea of therapy for school-aged kids. Bea's acknowledgement of her problems with impulse control and how she manages it, while still remaining a likable narrator, is one of the story's special charms. Recommend.

Rebecca Stead has done it again! An accessible text on a not-so accessible subject. Can’t wait to hand this to kids.

I loved everything about this book. The quiet voice, Beatrice’s perfectly human emotions that can be both beautiful and ugly and letting her have those ugly feelings., the sensitivity with which a gay parent relationship was portrayed- both for and against. I am very eager to share this with my students when it is published.

This book tackles some serious issues that young children are dealing with in our society, and does so with pathos and humor. Bea is quirky, fallible, flawed and lovable, and the author does a great job of creating a realistic portrayal of children's relationships with adults and each other. A very enjoyable read!

Beautifully written. A sincere recounting of a tough summer, and the ups and downs of being 10. It’s messy, happy moments can have sad moments woven in, life is tinged full of all the feelings (sometimes some feelings hiding behind another.. or another.. like when fear hides behind anger).

My heart felt this one. I especially loved the way Bea’s talks with her therapists were included in this one (and done so well!). For some reason or other I honestly didn’t otherwise love the characters that much.. but even so, it was beautifully done and I can appreciate a good book when I read it. This is one of those. It’s just beautiful work. Always want more from Rebecca Stead!

Rebecca Stead writes great middle grade books. This one, like her others, takes place against the backdrop of New York City. Her narrator is 10-year-old Bea, struggling to find her place as her father gets remarried (to a man). Bea experiences a lot of anxiety, and she sees a therapist to deal with her feelings. There is a great cast of characters in Bea's life, making the story really rich and colorful.

I especially like the use of the therapist in this story. My students have so many mental health issues these days, and seeing a character who goes to therapy (and it helps) is really important. I will be buying this title for my middle school library. I already have many fans of Rebecca Stead!

10-year old Bea has largely adjusted to the big changes in her life — 2 years before her parents divorced so that her father could be the gay man he had always known himself to be. Bea alternated living with each parent day by day and weekend by weekend. Now her father and his boyfriend Jesse are getting married and Bea might be getting a sister — something she has always wanted.

While not as creative as some of Stead’s earlier books, this is a well-done dive into the experiences of a young girl struggling to understand the massive changes in her life. The book serves as an excellent template for how to handle a divorce. The eponymous “List of Things That Will Not Change” is for Bea when she finds out about the divorce — my favorite: “We are still a family, but in a different way.” And indeed, that is how they behave.

Bea also sees a therapist — Miriam — and the advice she recollects at various points is clear and useful. I’m not a big fan of therapy, but I found this summary of the process and techniques for Bea to be excellent. This would be a useful book for both the target 8-12 year olds and their parents. If I had one small complaint about the book, it is that the focus is all on Bea and the new life of her gay father. Her mother doesn’t get to have much of a new life and although portrayed lovingly, doesn’t get a lot of air time.

Great story about family, acceptance, and change. A quick but emotional read.
Bea is a worrier and anxious. She also has a secret that has been gnawing away at her for a year. Bea's parents divorce because her father is gay. Bea is split between the two apartments, but it works. She has her list of things that will not change and she is happy. Then she is told that her dad is marrying Jesse - good news, she will now have a sister - great news, and she finds out about an uncle that no one talks to anymore - bad news. When she finds out her cousin is sick, she thinks it may be her fault..
Told through the 12-year-old's perspective, we learn a lot about Bea and how to be the person you are meant to be - warts and all.

What I really love about this book is the protagonist's authentic voice.

(Shout out to all you 6 + 1 Writing Traits educators!)

The story arch truly follows the perspective of the main character, with no omniscient narrator and no manipulation through 'adult wisdom'. An adult reader may be able to see, and fear, the ramifications of her actions, but Bea can't, and it makes this book magical.