
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the uncertainty of a family transition, such as divorce or the introduction of a new step-parent. Ten-year-old Bea navigates her parents' separation and her father's upcoming wedding to his partner, Jesse, by keeping a green notebook titled The List of Things That Will Not Change. It is a deeply comforting resource for children who experience anxiety or a need for control during times of upheaval. The story beautifully balances the excitement of a growing family with the messy, honest emotions of adjusting to new realities. While it addresses complex topics like divorce and LGBTQ+ identity, it does so with a gentle, secular, and highly supportive tone perfect for middle-grade readers ages 8 to 12.
The book handles divorce and LGBTQ+ identity directly but with immense warmth. It is a secular approach where the challenges are social and emotional rather than ideological. The resolution is realistic and hopeful, emphasizing that family is defined by commitment and love.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a reviewA 9 or 10-year-old who is a 'thinker' and a 'worrier.' Specifically, a child in a blended family or a family with same-sex parents who needs to see their domestic life reflected as normal, joyful, and occasionally complicated.
Read the chapter regarding Bea's 'secret' mistake at the birthday party to help discuss how we handle guilt and apologies. The book can be read cold, as the prose is very accessible. A parent might notice their child becoming obsessive about schedules, asking repetitive questions about the future, or struggling with 'big feelings' that they can't quite name.
Younger readers (8-9) will focus on the excitement of the wedding and the new sister. Older readers (11-12) will better grasp Bea's internal struggle with anxiety and the nuances of her parents' evolving relationship.
Unlike many books about divorce that focus on conflict, this one focuses on the evolution of love. It’s unique in its depiction of a healthy, collaborative post-divorce relationship where the child’s stability is the priority.
Bea is a ten-year-old girl navigating life after her parents' divorce. Her father is marrying his boyfriend, Jesse, and Bea is thrilled to finally get a sister in Jesse's daughter, Sonia. Throughout the preparation for the wedding, Bea manages her anxiety (which she calls her 'tight-suit') by maintaining a list of things that are permanent, like her parents' love for her. The story also explores a past mistake Bea made that weighs on her conscience.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.