Deb Caletti is one of the few YA authors I still read. This was another winner (minus all the F bombs, I am a middle-aged mom, after all).

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

My first Deb Caletti book! I wasn’t expecting to like this one. YA, realistic fiction. Harper is obsessed with Instagram and finding out as much as possible about her sperm donor dad. There are layers to Harper’s story though. It’s set in present day - 2 years past the first COVID19 lockdown. I really didn’t want to read about the pandemic, but the author did a great job of making it about the aftermath - the trauma of not being able to have a typical high school experience, the trauma of watching the ambulance come for your elderly neighbor, the fear/knowledge that this will never end. Then there’s the social media piece, why it’s easier to present a picture perfect life for Instagram than to let people see who you really are. Add in Harper’s desperate need to learn about her father, nature vs nurture.
I really liked it!

This book was surprising. It was super interesting. I loved the main characters journey as she dives more into her history. Overall a solid read!

Thank you soo much @netgalley for the ARC of The Epic Story of Every Living Thing.

This is a super interesting coming of age story as Harper, who was fathered by an anonymous sperm Donor, is told "hey you look like my friend!" And then BAM! half brother! This connection leads to others and the group of newfound siblings travel to Hawaii to meet the man who fathered them.

Are we the product of our DNA? Or are we the product of our upbringing? It also explores the relationships between teens and their parents. I loved the technology/ social media line through it. We don't have to live on our phone, our lives don't have to look/be perfect for likes and engagement, and that there is a whole wide world out there!

This book was absolutely fantastic. I've already added it to our list for order this year and will recommend it to students.

I have mixed feelings about this one. I liked the premise and the character integration and they learn more about themselves through each other. I didn't really like Harper in the beginning. I remember being a teen and searching for identity, but I didn't try to push my family away. I just didn't love how she treats her mom and is mad. Her mom had her and has done everything to raise her. I think Harper learns about herself on her journey to Hawaii and how to live in the now instead of trying to be so impressive on social media.
I think she learns to understand her mother better too.
I think some teens will like this one because of the look into finding your identity. And Deb Caletti is an author that my teens love, her writing keeps you hooked.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!

This is an interesting coming-of-age story as Harper, fathered by an anonymous sperm donor, makes a chance connection through social media with a half-sibling. This connection leads to others and a group of newfound siblings travel to Hawaii to meet the man who fathered them. The story asks questions about nature vs nurture: are we a product of our DNA or our upbringing? It also explores relationships between teens and their parents. I also really liked the technology thread. What happens when we put down our phones, stop living for the 'Gram, and really live in the moment? I would recommend to readers who like a good family "drama."