Tremendous Things by Susin Nielsen

We all have moments that define us. For the comically clueless Wilbur, his moment happened on the first day of middle school, when someone shared his private letter with the entire student body. It revealed some of Wilbur's innermost embarrassing thoughts that no one else should ever know.

Now it's the start of ninth grade and Wilbur hasn't been able to escape that major humiliation. His good friend Alex stuck by him, but Alex doesn't have as much time since he started dating Fabrizio. Luckily, Wil can confide in his best friend: his elderly neighbor Sal. Also, Wil's in the school band, where he plays the triangle. They're doing an exchange program with students from Paris, and Wilbur's billet, Charlie, a tall, chic young woman who plays the ukulele and burps with abandon, captures his heart. Charlie likes him, but only as a friend. So Alex, Fabrizio and Sal host a Queer Eye-style intervention to get Wil in shape and to build his confidence so he can impress Charlie when their band visits Paris, and just maybe replace humiliation with true romance in the City of Love.

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Covers first. Although the US cover is hilarious and does tie in to things that happen in the book, I think the UK cover clinches it this time; it's cheerful and fun and the strapline is lovely. Although I do like the strapline on the US cover too! Can we say it's a really close tie but the UK cover just inches ahead? Sorry, what's that? This is my review and I can say anything I want? Great! Then my verdict is it's a really close tie but the UK cover just inches ahead.

Now, the story. It's difficult to review, because as always I don't want to give away spoilers and because I loved this so much! I just want to gush about it, but I have to (try and) actually make some sense. It's funny and warm and cosy and still doesn't shy away from things like bullying and bereavement and the absolutely soul crushing pain of first love denied. It's a fantastic read, I was alternately crying and laughing as I read. Glad I was on my own at the time, I have to admit!

DO BE AWARE: one of the things Wil's bully is to use the wrong name for a transgender classmate. Wil notes that everyone hates him, but they're too afraid of him to speak up. If misgendering is a trigger for you, be careful; it happens twice or three times throughout the book.

But please do try to read it anyway, because it's amazing. Heartfelt, clever, funny and wonderful. I enjoyed it so much and I can't wait to be able to start selling it to people. It's just beautiful and I'm so glad I got to read it.

Tremendous Things published on the 25th May, 2021 in the US (top image) and will publish on the 3rd June, 2021 in the UK (lower image). I received a free copy and am giving an honest interview.