Kirkus Best Books of 2019 * Kids’ Indie Next Pick List * Bookpage Best Books of 2019: Middle Grade

“Beautiful, mysterious and deeply satisfying.” —Rebecca Stead, Newbery Medal-winning author of When You Reach Me and Goodbye Stranger

The world tilted for Elodee this year, and now it’s impossible for her to be the same as she was before. Not when her feelings have such a strong grip on her heart. Not when she and her twin sister, Naomi, seem to be drifting apart. So when Elodee’s mom gets a new job in Eventown, moving seems like it might just fix everything.

Indeed, life in Eventown is comforting and exciting all at once. Their kitchen comes with a box of recipes for Elodee to try. Everyone takes the scenic way to school or work—past rows of rosebushes and unexpected waterfalls. On blueberry-picking field trips, every berry is perfectly ripe.

Sure, there are a few odd rules, and the houses all look exactly alike, but it’s easy enough to explain—until Elodee realizes that there are only three ice cream flavors in Eventown. Ever. And they play only one song in music class. Everything may be “even” in Eventown, but is there a price to pay for perfection—and pretending?

“Engrossing.” —New York Times Book Review

“Enchanting, heart-rending, and bittersweet.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“An emotionally complex and wonderfully told story.” —School Library Journal (starred review)

“Thought-provoking.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

• The Price of Perfection: Eventown promises a fresh start, but Elodee soon discovers that a world with no sadness might also be a world with no real joy, choices, or memories.
• Conformity vs. Individuality: As her sister Naomi embraces the town's evenness, Elodee can't ignore the odd rules and unsettling lack of choice. Can she be herself in a place where everyone is the same?
• Dealing with Grief: A powerful and moving story about a family trying to escape a painful past, perfect for readers who love emotionally complex stories.
• Family Secrets: Elodee's family never talks about what happened before they moved. But as strange things begin to happen, she realizes that some memories refuse to stay buried.

“Silly and her sisters are flesh-and-bone characters; they gripped me by my very heart and pulled me into their tense and mysterious family story. With beguiling moments of magical realism and engaging turns of phrase, Corey Ann Haydu has crafted a glowing middle grade debut.”