The List of Things That Will Not Change by Rebecca Stead

Family is complicated, but some things never change. Bea keeps track of them in her notebook. It's something to hold on to when she starts worrying. But Dad's wedding isn't something to worry about - right?

Ok, I'll admit it; I cried a few times during this. Bea has a fabulous voice, truthful and sweet. This isn't a story about a world ending quest or a struggle against an evil overlord; it's a quiet story of a few months in one family's life, with some of the stories from years before that make them up. It's one of my favourite books I've read recently, and given what's been happening (for historical readers, it's the middle of the Covid pandemic) I've been reading a lot.

There's no villains in this - at least, there's one misguided person, but that's the worst of it. The rest of the characters are humans, doing human things and making human mistakes. It's very rare to see. It's also rare, although getting less so, to see a character in therapy - to actually see them in it. Bea uses some clever tricks to help herself, and I think readers will find them useful too.

I'll be pushing this into as many hands as I think I can get away with once I'm back at work. Just beautiful.

"...Do you know what portage is?"

I guessed. "Mushrooms?"

He laughed. "It's when you carry your kayak over land to get to the next bit of water. We carried those boats over our heads, in teams, for miles. It wasn't easy.

"I led those wilderness trips for years, hiking the same trails over and over. Same woods, same hills, same stretches of river. Every trip, we lined the campers up next to the same big rock and took the same picture. But there's the thing: no two trips were the same. In fact, they were all incredibly different. You know why?"

"Why?"

"Because of the people. The other trip leaders, and the campers who came with us. They were always changing. If you think about it, Bea, life is like a trip. A very long one. And what matters most is the people you travel with."

I think it's the same with weddings. There's a lot that looks the same about them: everyone gets dressed, says words, eats food, and gives presents. But the people at weddings are always different. And it's the people who matter. With the right people, you can carry your boat and it doesn't even feel that heavy.

After her parents' divorce, Bea's life became different in many ways. But she can always look back at the list she keeps in her green notebook to remember the things that will stay the same. The first and most important: Mom and Dad will always love Bea, and each other.

When Dad tells Bea that he and his boyfriend, Jesse, are getting married, Bea is thrilled. Bea loves Jesse, and when he and Dad get married, she'll finally (finally!) have what she's always wanted--a sister. Even though she's never met Jesse's daughter, Sonia, Bea is sure that they'll be "just like sisters anywhere."

As the wedding day approaches, Bea will learn that making a new family brings questions, surprises, and joy.