The List of Things That Will Not Change

Bea is ten and in fifth grade when her dad tells her that he and Jesse are going to get married. A couple of years earlier, Bea’s parents had told her that they were divorcing because Bea’s dad is gay, although certain things would never change. They made a list and kept that promise.

Now Bea not only has to get used to having Jesse as a parent, but also to the fact that he has a daughter, Sonia, who lives across the country. She will be coming to visit and she will be Bea’s sister! Bea loves that idea. But with the wedding coming soon, Bea discovers that not everyone is as happy about the marriage as she is. Some kids at school say mean things and act differently. Also, Bea finds out that Jesse has a brother whom he hasn’t seen in years. She decides to do something about that and learns some hard lessons about families.

Author Rebecca Stead seems fully in touch with her inner child. This book is told from a first-person point of view. Bea’s telling of her story perfectly reflects a ten-year-old girl in terms of the language, feelings, frustrations, and more, which are all spot on. This is a moving story, an important story, and it deserves wide readership.