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Title details for Thanks a Lot, Universe by Chad Lucas - Available

Thanks a Lot, Universe

by Chad Lucas
ebook
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1 of 1 copy available
Now in paperback, a moving contemporary middle-grade novel for anyone whoâs ever felt like they donât belong

Brian has always been anxious, whether at home, or in class, or on the basketball court. His dad tries to get him to stand up for himself and his mom helps as much as she can. But after he and his brother are placed in foster care, Brian starts having panic attacks. And he doesnât quite know if there's something wrong with him . . .
Ezraâs always been popular. Heâs friends with most of the kids on his basketball teamâeven Brian, who doesnât talk to many people. But now, some of his friends have been acting differently, and Brian seems to be pulling away. Ezra wants to help, but he worries if heâs too nice to Brian, his friends will realize that he has a crush on him . . .
But when Brian and his brother run away, Ezra has no choice but to take the leap and reach out to Brian. And Brian realizes that he could really use a friend right now. As the two get closer, theyâll have to decide if theyâre willing to risk being vulnerable with each other and share parts of themselves theyâd rather hide from the world. But if they can be brave, they might just find the best in themselvesâand each other. With a lively voice and moving story, Thanks a Lot, Universe is about finding your community and learning to trust your heart.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    May 11, 2021

  • Formats

    • Kindle Book

    • OverDrive Read

      • ISBN: 9781647001346

    • EPUB ebook

      • ISBN: 9781647001346
      • File size: 1748 KB

  • Languages

    • English

  • Levels

    • ATOS Level: 3.8
    • Interest Level: 4-8(MG)
    • Text Difficulty: 2

  • Reviews

    • School Library Journal

      Starred review from July 1, 2021

      Gr 5-8-Author Lucas scores big with this debut. Readers follow Brian, who is white, and Ezra, who is Trinidadian and Polish, during the last weeks of seventh grade. Brian's family fractures when his father leaves in an attempt to avoid legal repercussions at his job and his mother attempts suicide. As Brian and his little brother find themselves in foster care, Brian's existing anxiety becomes overwhelming. Meanwhile, Ezra navigates rapidly changing friendships and struggles to share his sexuality with folks important to him. As the boys' bond grows, they truly see and uplift each other, illustrating the importance of honest friendships. Lucas's prose is funny and deeply empathetic, respecting readers' ability to handle heavy topics but lightened with frequent laugh-out-loud moments. The diverse cast of characters demonstrates the complexity of friendship and navigating difficult conversations. While similar real-world experiences are likely to be bumpier than portrayed here, the book's hope and positivity are infectious. Readers can learn a great deal from these characters. VERDICT Painfully real and radiantly hopeful, this is a recommended first purchase. Perfect for the transition from middle grade to young adult literature, this title would be at home in both collections, and certainly on middle school shelves.-Taylor Worley, Springfield P.L., OR

      Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

    • Kirkus

      Starred review from April 15, 2021
      Two boys in Halifax, Nova Scotia, grow close as they encounter adolescent struggles and life changes. Chronic overthinker Brian already faces severe social anxiety and isolation from his peers when his 13th birthday starts off about as badly as a birthday can go: His father leaves home, possibly on the run from the police, and his mother attempts suicide in response. Now, left with the responsibility of caring for his younger brother, Richie, and juggling the massive life changes that come in the aftermath, Brian can't quite keep it all together. Thankfully, he isn't completely alone: Ezra, an open-hearted fellow member of their school's basketball team, feels a kinship (and possibly more) with quiet and elusive Brian. Together, the two boys offer support for one another as they come of age and try to find their best selves amid the turbulent times of seventh grade. Featuring snappy dialogue from earnest tween voices, skillful prose guides this engrossing story from start to finish. The themes and social commentary found here are gentle and organic--never heavy-handed--and the plot's antagonists are far from two-dimensional, expertly reflecting real-life human complexity for a middle-grade audience. Ezra is of Trinidadian and Polish descent, Brian is implied White, and the supporting characters have a broad range of racial backgrounds. Tenderhearted and bold. (Fiction. 10-13)

      COPYRIGHT(2021) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Formats

  • Kindle Book
  • OverDrive Read
  • EPUB ebook

subjects

Languages

  • English

Levels

  • ATOS Level:3.8
  • Interest Level:4-8(MG)
  • Text Difficulty:2

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