A Million Things is the first novel by Australian author, Emily Spurr. Rae’s mum has left before: “The silence you left after you grabbed the keys from the bowl on the table and slammed out the door would stand like a person beside me. The bang made me jump every time. Even though I knew it was coming. Knew from the second your eyes lost focus and tightened and you stopped seeing me and saw only this thing ruining your life. You’d shout, grab those keys and stalk to the door, and bang. And I would jump.” But she’s always come back.

On this winter Sunday, when Rae wakes, mum’s bed unslept in and the back door wide open, it’s different. She and Splinter (the dog) check the backyard, and she understands mum isn’t coming back. Rae may only be ten (nearly eleven) but she’s not stupid. She doesn’t know what will happen if people find out she’s alone, but she’s pretty sure it won’t be good.

Rae knows how to look after herself; she and Splints will just carry on as usual. Life with mum has taught her it’s important to fly under the radar, to keep the house and yard neat, keep herself clean and neat and fed, not to do anything to draw attention, to act normal: “Then I went to school. I slipped Schoolkid on like a jumper, without thinking.”

For now, she has mum’s debit card, she knows the bank passwords, she can shop and cook and wash and take care of Splinter. Bleach and oil burners and air fresheners will do the rest.

The nosy old goat next door always seems to be watching from her front porch but, apart from a few comments, seems happy to keep to herself. Oscar Geddes, though, could be a problem. The boy lives just down the street, he’s clearly lonely and he’s too interested, too persistent. And his mum’s a busybody.

Staying at home nights and weekends is both boring and unpleasant, so she and Splinter walk a lot, all over Melbourne. She helps herself to some things that will make the house look normal; a few close calls see Rae exercising more caution, but it’s working, for now. Rae knows she’ll have to face the awful truth eventually.

Then one day, she has to help the old goat (Lettie) out from a bad spot; Rae keeps helping, and they cover for each other. But Rae is wary of getting too close…

It truly is hard to believe this is a debut novel. Spurr so easily captures her setting, and her portrayal of young Rae is perfect. Her depiction of Rae’s feelings is often inspired: her anxiety “The chest -rat starts trying to push its way out. I fight with it till I can get a breath”; her confusion “I didn’t used to be a counter, … but I’ve found it helps when I’ve got a head full of bees.”


Rae’s first-person narrative, addressed to her absent mother, spans fifty-five days of her young life after the unthinkable has happened. Spurr gives the reader a smart and surprisingly mature protagonist who can’t help but capture even the hardest heart. As capable as Rae is, though, there are still moments when a girl really needs her mum, and some of these will likely exercise the tear ducts.

There is plenty of humour, though, some of it quite black, both in situation and dialogue, which is often sharp, witty, funny:
“‘You’re all right, kiddo.’
‘It’s Rae.’ I remind her.
She pulls a face. ‘I know that. I was being nice. It’s a nickname. A term of endearment.’
‘Oh. Okay .’ I wonder if I should reciprocate. What do you say to an old lady who likes to refer to you as a baby goat? ‘Thanks. Goat-o.’”
This is a tale that will have you laughing out loud one minute and choking up with emotion the next: an utterly brilliant read.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Text Publishing.

This story was such a beautiful and heart wrenching one. This book is about ten year old Rae who just lost her mother and is trying to cope with the loss without letting anyone know. Her only companion being her dog named Splinter. As the book progresses though, we see her become friends with her elderly neighbor, Lettie. The evolution of Rae and Lettie's relationship is well written and such an interesting dynamic to read about.

When I was reading this book I didn't realize Rae was only ten years old. She seemed so much older than that and I was honestly picturing a 16 year old. It didn't help that the dialogue and her own thoughts both conveyed her as much older than she was. I was really surprised when I realized that she was 10, so surprised in fact that it was a bit unbelievable to me at that point because I had just imagined her a lot older the whole time. How she dealt with the whole situation is just something you'd never expect of a 4th or 5th grader. This does make the book unique but it just takes a lot off the realistic/this could happen in real life vibe this book gives off.

Thank you #Netgalley and #AMillionThings for the ARC

In this book, we follow Rae, a 9-year-old girl whose mother has disappeared. She is struggling to make sense of things. Her dog, Splinter, is the only one who knows the truth and keeps her company in a house full of memories. Being alone takes a toll on her, and people are starting to notice her mother is not there. You see the panic attacks settling hard. However, the unlikely friendship between Rae and her elderly neighbour Lettie helps in many ways. Lettie is a very complex character and a somewhat bitter lady that also suffers in silence. Their relationship was portrayed beautifully, adding another layer of issues and themes to the story, which I really enjoyed.

I didn't expect it to be so great considering it was from a 9-year-old's point of view but that made it all the better. This unique perspective provides this story with a fresh curiosity right from the start. This book had me laughing out loud, crying real ugly tears and ultimately gave me back some faith in humanity.'

The climax of the book was well crafted and tear-jerking, and by the end of the book, I was a mess. It is a book about grief and loneliness, as well as it is about hope and finding friendship in unexpected places. I recommend this book for anybody who is looking to read a heartwarming story about a young girl, and her older friend, who is determined to make everything as normal as possible in a not-so-normal world.

I love a story which imparts a deep message, but manages to be an uncomplicated read because more people will read it and benefit from it. This book is both uplifting and heartbreaking. The story grabbed me from the beginning and held me tightly to the end. I cried more than once and I'm not the crying reader type. The unique POV of an Adult Fiction story unfolding through the eyes of a ten year old was skillfully wrought, and a perfect way to shine a light on how a parent's mental health and behaviors affect the children they are raising.

The half star deduction comes from the ten year old being way too mature for her age, even for the typical left-to-your-own-devices environment she mainly grew up in. Making the MC thirteen would have helped a lot in the suspension of disbelief deparment because her inner dialogue was that of a sixteen year old, a majority of the time. Even though I knew she was supposed to be ten, I was still picturing someone around thirteen in my mind's eye. There were also a few things she did physically that it was difficult to believe a ten year old had the strength and body size to do. There was also a misnomer about how old original teen fans of Pink Floyd would be now; I am one of those teen fans and I am nowhere near having age spots and purple marks on my hands from thin elderly skin, ha ha.

Two elements in this story which are dear to my heart were the child and senior citizen friendship, and the idea that, "... it takes a village."

One thing I want to stress about this book is it is NOT Middle Grade, even though the main character is ten years old. The content is too mature and disturbing for MG readers. The publisher has it listed as Women's Fiction. *WARNING: suicide.

Kids have a special place in people`s hearts. No matter how other people hate them for being
too annoying, they still have that special spot in the hearts of people around them. And with a
protagonist that is a child plus she has a dog. Who would not love that story?

I am obsessed with books based on mystery and thrillers. Having read this book was a
refreshment for me and a very heartwarming read. I sure did take my time reading this one as I
saw its every chapter too precious. Every time chapter ends it gave me a feeling of warmth and
admiration toward Rae. She is just a kid, a ten-year-old kid, but it seems that she has more to
give than most of us. She saw how the world is not her friend and experienced things that a ten-
year-old should not have experienced. She is used to her mother getting disappeared from time
to time because Rae knows that her mother will come back eventually. But this time her mother
went missing longer than she used to be. Will she come back? Rae does not question this to
herself as she does not want to confront the harsh reality. Her mind was then preoccupied with
her neighbor Lettie. A company she did not expect. A relationship they not have thought to
happen. a bond that is worth a million things.

I really did enjoy this story. It was a delicate and heartfelt story. a well-written book you can
easily recommend to any age group.

Sadly not a read for me... After seeing other wonderful reviews I had high hopes, however found this book just a little bit too sad.. I kept putting it down and struggling to pick it back up again... eventually moved to the DNF pile!
Having read other reviews I imagine that if I could persist this would be a more uplifting read, however I found it hard to keep picking up a book that was so sad in its subject matter!

I finished this book a few weeks ago and have tried to figure out how to properly express how I feel about this book. But I find the more I think about the book, the more feelings I have, so I'm just going to write what I feel here. This book is, quite simply, one of my favorite books ever written.

TL;DR This book is incredible. The story, the characters, the plot, every aspect of this book is heartbreakingly superb.

I read "Room" and loved it, yet was still hesitant to pick up a book from a child's point of view. It can so easily go wrong or the voice can seem ingenuine. You don't have to worry about that with Emily Spurr's writing.

Rae is...oh gosh, I literally am tearing up writing this right now, thinking of this brave, spunky, resourceful girl and the situation she's in. She's wonderful, put as simply as possible. Her character is believable, well rounded, and you will love her spirit.

The other two main characters (in my head) are her neighbor and her dog. The relationship between Rae and Splits is easily one of the best parts of this book. Then there's Lettie, her neighbor. This could've easily been a flat character, the relationship could have easily felt rushed or insincere. None of those problems exist in this book.

The story is one that will catch you from the beginning and leave you sobbing at times. I literally had to take a break from this book to full-on ugly cry. I didn't go back to it for days, because I had to prepare myself emotionally for the continuation of the scene that I was reading when I had to stop. It's raw, tender, emotional, and will make your heart ache in the best way.

I wasn't sure how it was going to end, there are so many options. But the ending itself didn't feel like a cop-out or rushed ending (which I feared), instead it fit beautifully with the rest of the book.

I truly cannot wait until this book comes out in the US, I want it in my collection as soon as possible. The only reason I haven't pre-ordered it yet is because I want to see if any signed copies will be available, that's how serious I am about owning this book. I cannot wait to see what the author writes next, and will be first in line to read it.

I received access to an electronic ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher and author for this opportunity, truly.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, but it hit me like a ton of bricks. A Million Things is the story of Rae, a young girl whose mother takes her own life... and Rae is the only one who knows. So she continues to go to school, to clean the house, to buy the groceries, and tries to ignore that scratching at her heart. This is a raw, tender, beautifully spare reflection on the realities of grief and depression... and human kindness.

Thank you to Netgalley and Text Publishing for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Trigger warning: This book deals with mental illness, child neglect, suicide. It contains some violence and very mild language.

This is the story of 10-year old Rae, her dog Splinter, and her elderly next-door neighbor Lettie. Through a series of upsetting events, they become friends. This is the story of mental illness, tragedy, resilience, and recovery. Those are powerful themes to view through the eyes of a child. I appreciate that Spurr faced these themes head-on. She didn’t just focus on these issues, but also on the stigma surrounding these issues.

I loved this book. I read it in a single day and neglected much else. I loved the narration style, the characterization, and how each character in the story developed. I loved seeing the world through Rae’s eyes. I loved how real and flawed both Rae and Lettie are and how well the author helps the reader see their blind spots. I loved reading an unbelievable story and believing it was possible, even though it’s not a bright story, and I hope it never happens in real life.

I heartily recommend this book!

My thanks to NetGalley, Emily Spurr and Text Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

When I began this book, I thought the premise was interesting. The imagery and sensations of the empty house made me feel so deeply for Rae. The development of her friendship with Lottie tugged at my heartstrings. Two people, so lost, yet comforted by the other's presence in more ways than one. Not to mention the companionship she has in her dog, Splinter.

As the book progressed, and I began to understand what happened to her mother (to be fair, I had a hunch that turned out to be correct), all I wanted to do was reach in and pull Rae into the fiercest hug. The foil of Oscar to Rae, was very well done, and added a bit of frustrated hope for both the reader and Rae.

There are so many different parts of this book that I was not expecting, and I found many of them to be quite beautiful, but heart-breaking at the same time. She writes the character of Rae well, but I think that sometimes there needed to be a suspension of disbelief while Rae cared for herself. I find it hard to believe that no one could have realized what actually happened to Rae and her mother to the point where the story comes out nearly 50 days later.

This book was slow-paced, and a combination of character-driven and plot-driven story lines. However, I was able to read this book within two days. I did enjoy this book, and it did tug at my heartstrings, but I think it could have benefitted from more backstory on Rae through her narration. We only find out so much about her, and I think it would have been interesting to have more knowledge about her mother as well. The ending, with the introduction of a new character, kind of jarred me in a way that I didn't expect. I was frustrated with how everything turned out for Rae, and I think Lottie deserved more as well.

Despite this, I will be patiently waiting for Emily Spurr's second novel, whenever that may arrive, because I think she will bring a perspective to the table that is missing in Adult Fiction.

3.5/5 stars.

A story of darkness and coping. I liked how the author doesn’t gives us all the details and leaves the reader to fill the blanks and during the read fills the completes the story with more and more details.
Young 10 years old Rea is left alone to cope with everyday life while her only companion left is her faithful dog Splinter. An interesting story how to keep a secret and create illusion of normal life. How establishing friendship with an odd old neighbor and helping another person can help yourself.
I really loved this book from the dark moments when you feel cornered with no way out to the sweet dog strolls and road trip along the Great Ocean Road.

I decided to pick up this book because the synopsis seemed interesting and the main character's name is Rae, and my name is Rae. My dry sense of humor just couldn't resist.

A Million Things ended up being so much more than I expected. The story follows a young girl named Rae and her dog, Splinter, who are both left at home alone. Rae is used to being alone. She's used to her mother working long shifts and having to take care of herself for large parts of the day. But this time it's different, and Rae has to pull herself together and do things she never thought she'd have to do - the laundry, cooking, grocery shopping, mowing the lawn, buying kibble - things she certainly hasn't had to do before.

She ends up forming an unlikely friendship with her neighbor, Lettie, and the two look out for each other.

This story was sad and heartbreaking. It was told in a diary format very reminiscent of the way a ten-year-old girl would choose to write a story. I found myself tearing up several times as I flipped through the pages and even had the set the book aside a few times to go do something else.

This book was so much more than I expected it to be. Emily Spurr wrote a magnificent story about loss and friendship and learning to rely on others even when you're not sure you should.

I was immediately drawn into the synopsis of this book, but I had trouble reading it from the diary point of view. I was unable to finish it, but I fully see why so many people loved it - hence my rating. I think if you can read the diary entry style and go with the flow of this one, you would enjoy it, but for me, it's not my personal style. I would want to read more from this author.

#ARC #AMillionThings #NetGalley #EmilySpurr

To say that I was blindsided by this novel would be an understatement. Spectacularly written from the perspective of an extremely mature and collected eleven-year old, it is only a little later that you realize the heartbreaking source of this maturity. Elegantly written about the ins and outs of living in a house by herself, Rae almost makes you forget how little she is. But just when you start embracing the precociousness of the narrative voice, Spurr brings in certain imageries of fear and authority characterized by how a child of eleven would perceive it.

The theme, which doesn't unravel until the second half of the novel, is gut-wrenching. And you are lead to it through a long winding road of narration, spiking up both doubt and fear and a thoroughly horrifying thought of 'Could it really be?' in your own heart. At the base of it, A Million Things is a novel that is about the anxieties that a little girl is made out of living in this adult world. So many times, when Rae's fear-rat comes clawing through her chest, you want to tell her that it's going to be fine. That she doesn't have to worry. But in this world designed entirely for adults and for adult tribulations, Rae struggles to catch up because she is too little and too alone to be taken seriously for all that breaks her heart.

It is also a tale of an unlikely friendship, as most stories like this are, that makes her personal skeleton in the shed easier to face.
I don't know if this book is a thriller with a heart, or vice versa, but color me impressed.

I don't even know where to start... Resilient Rae and quirky Lettie have a place in my heart forevermore. Beautiful, lyrical writing. Brave, bold, brilliant characters. An absolute assault on all the senses in the most incredible of ways. My heart broke and swelled and broke and mended again a dozen times. Rae's internal dialogue is at times, soul-crushingly heartbreaking. I can't remember sobbing with such feeling at a single sentence. Emily Spurr speaks directly to my soul. This wonderful novel has just insinuated itself into my top 5 books of all time. I didn't want it to end. And if there is not a follow up to A Million Things so I can catch up with Rae and Lettie again, then the world will be a much, much greyer place. I want to share Rae's journey into adolescence and adulthood but how on earth can Spurr improve on perfection and I almost want this to be just a perfectly isolated gem in the world of literary masterpieces. I can't wait until publication day when I will be purchasing many copies! THANK YOU.

Thank you to Netgalley, Text Publishing and Emily Spurr for the absolute honour of reading this advance reader copy in exchange for a fair and honest (and unworthy!) review.

A Million Things is a story that will be hard for anyone who reads it to forget.
Rae is ten years old, brave, smart, and left alone at home with only her dog Splinter and memories of her mother.
She soon finds herself often in the company of her neighbor, Lettie, who is looking out for Rae and needs some help of her own. But, what happens when someone who needs help doesn’t want it?
Emily Spurr writes so beautifully and clearly from Rae’s perspective, I soon felt such a caretaker’s concern for Rae myself. And one aspect of this book that can’t be ignored is the sensory aspect—smells and sounds are woven through so well, you sense them along with Rae.
This book broke, but also bolstered, my heart. I will think of Rae and Lettie often.
Thank you to NetGalley and Text publishing for this digital ARC.

I was intrigued at the first sentence, and before the end of the first chapter, I was hooked.

This heartfelt and clever story is told through the perspective of ten-year-old Rae. She is accustomed to her mother taking off for a few hours, or even for a few days, when she has had enough. This time, however, Rae knows will be different. Rae must keep up appearances and no one must know that she is alone. The capable girl takes care of the dog, herself, the house, yard, and even does the grocery shopping and pays the bills on-line, all while keeping up with school. When her old nosy neighbor needs help, she and Rae form an unlikely friendship and begin to look out for each other.

This debut novel from Emily Spurr is beautifully written. I enjoyed reading this story slowly, taking in the beautiful imagery the author painted with her words.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this digital ARC.
#AMillionThings #NetGalley

This book really threw me right in the middle of the plot, with all the emotions, feelings of sadness, panic, heartbreak and loneliness as I fell in love with Rae, Lettie and especially Splinter.
There are secrets that are unimaginable, yet continuance, and a developing friendship for Rae (ten) and Lettie( elderly) that made me cry at times.
It is survival of the fittest and it sure isn't easy without someone who cares, not concerned, but cares!
"A Million Things" is well written with details that will create a feeling that you actually have these wonderful characters as friends. *You will need tissues*
I loved this novel and very sad that I finished this delightful novel! Ten stars!

I hope that perhaps we will be able to see how these people manage as time goes by?
I can hope!

My heart broke into a million pieces as I read this book!

Rae is a brave 10 year old girl haunted by a secret and struggling to navigate the world alone, now that her Mum is gone. Her only companions - her faithful dog, Splinter and her newfound ally, neurotic and reclusive neighbour, Lettie.

It’s hard to put into words what I loved about this story, it had me mesmerised right from the jarring beginning. Told in first person from 10 year old Rae’s perspective, I quickly became aware that this was no ordinary little girl. Rae is a plucky and determined child who has the maturity of one who - grappling with maternal mental illness - has had to grow up a lot faster than others her age.

Emily Spurr very cleverly depicted Rae’s thoughts and feelings through the character’s inner dialogue, which - consider yourself forewarned- is at times soul crushing. This made for a really unique and compelling narrative.

Rae’s relationship with her dog Splinter was so sweet, he is an integral part of her story and as such features in almost every scene. I was fondly reminded of the special relationship that my boys shared with their “brother-dog”, Henry. A childhood bond with a pet is so pure.

A Million Things is a story that will break your heart, but ultimately buoy your spirit. It is a reminder of the power of connection and friendship. Rae is certainly a character that will stay with you long after you’ve finished this story.

Thanks to NetGalley, Text Publishing and to author, Emily Spurr for the opportunity to read the advanced reader copy of this astonishing book.

This book is beautifully written. To me, it has a writing style that feels like home....like an instant sense of warmth and comfort. This book follows the main character, 10 year old Rae, through 55 days following her mom's disappearance. Rae, her mum, and their dog Splinter have been an "unnoticeable" unit since she can remember, just going about their daily life until the one day her mum isn't there. It is clear from the beginning that Rae has had to grow up a lot in her young life, and with her mum being gone, she's adept at taking on the household responsibilities while getting herself to school and taking care of her dog. Rae has a "nosy" neighbor, Lettie, who one day needs Rae's help and from that they forge an unlikely friendship. They come to rely on each other, and defend each other to people who come into their lives unwanted. I was emotionally vested within the first few pages, and shed a few tears during this book. It's a powerful read.