We Are All Made of Molecules
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4.4 • 60 Ratings
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- $10.99
Publisher Description
Thirteen-year-old Stewart Inkster is academically brilliant but "ungifted" socially. Fourteen-year-old Ashley Anderson is the undisputed "It" girl of grade nine, but her marks stink. Their worlds are about to collide when Stewart and his dad move in with Ashley and her mom. "The Brady Bunch" it isn't. Stewart is trying to be 89.9% happy about it, but Ashley is 110% horrified. She already has to hide the truth behind her parents' divorce; "Spewart" could further threaten her position at the top of the social ladder. They are complete opposites. And yet, no matter their differences, they share one thing in common: they--like the rest of us--are all made of molecules.
Written in alternating voices, Susin Nielsen deftly explores family tragedy and family ties; sibling rivalry and union; and adolescent confusion and revelation.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In this honest and funny portrayal of the difficult transitions that can come with blending families, 13-year-old Stewart is on board when his father decides they are moving in with his girlfriend, Caroline, and her daughter, Ashley. Socially awkward and cerebral, Stewart knows that it's time to move on after his mother's death and is excited to be gaining a sister. Fourteen-year-old Ashley feels otherwise ("My family is fubar" is her introduction to readers). Alternating between the teens' perspectives, Nielsen (The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen) humorously conveys Stewart's attempts to befriend Ashley, whose anger is actually about her father, who recently announced that he's gay and moved into the cottage in their yard. Stewart's analytical perspective and Ashley's sarcastic narration are as different as they are entertaining, though Nielsen perhaps has a bit too much fun at the expense of Ashley, who is prone to malapropisms ("Claudia hit the snail on the head") and thinks Idi Amin is one of her mother's colleagues. But both characters grow tremendously as they grapple with loss, navigate their differences, and find common ground. Ages 12 up.
Customer Reviews
A young adult novel - highly recommended
Although there are cuss words and subject matter more suited to 12-15 year olds. We Are All Made Of Molecules deals with divorce, death of a loved one, friendship, and dating. Told through the eyes of Stewart- a socially awkward 13 year old gifted boy and Ashley- his kinda stepsister and the schools "it" girl. This story puts a Neilsen spin on growing up.
Awsome
This is such a great book. I first read it when I was a lot younger didn’t really appreciate it enough but I read it again recently though and loved.
Meh...
This book is pretty bland. There is no depth to the story, and nothing Really happens. It’s also a very dumb happy ending.