JULY 2018 - AudioFile
Narrator Caitlin Kelly’s smooth transitions lend credibility to this audiobook, that tells a story that blends love and a ghost. Rose Asher is a junior who has believed in signs since the day her brother, Logan, died. The ghost of her brother is now her best friend—a relationship that is complicated by her feeling that she is responsible for his death. Kelly portrays Rose’s ironic tone well. Rose’s complex feelings are amplified when her childhood friend, Jamie, moves back to town. Her initial mix of scorn and attraction gradually yields to respect and then surprise when she learns that Jamie also can see Logan’s ghost. Kelly easily switches between her well-differentiated characters. She deftly captures the increasing willfulness of Logan as Rose’s affections shift and Jamie’s tender feelings for her grow. S.W. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine
Publishers Weekly
03/26/2018
Since the death of her older brother, Logan, high school junior Rose has withdrawn from her drama-crowd friends. Her solitary behavior isn’t due to grieving, though; it’s because she always hurries home from school to meet a visitor: Logan’s ghost, who is invisible to everyone else. Rose loves her brother, but four years of keeping his presence a secret and doing his favorite activities (mostly watching endless reruns of Dr. Who) have taken their toll, making her acutely aware of her loneliness. She feels it most sharply after her childhood friend Jamie moves back to town. Just as their mutual affection takes a romantic turn, Rose makes a startling discovery: Jamie is in tune with the supernatural world as well. In a story about letting go and courageously moving forward, Schneider (The Beginning of Everything) makes the paranormal seem plausible. Readers will readily suspend their disbelief to see how Rose, a relatable heroine, deals with an apparition who grows increasingly bothersome while trying to pursue a meaningful relationship with the boy she loves. Ages 13–up. Agent: Merrilee Heifetz, Writers House. (June)
From the Publisher
Schneider’s characters shine in this romance, strapped with quirky, nerdy obsessions that many teens will relate to, and supported by realistic voices. The integration of the ghost story is unique. Schneider authentically [captures] the sensation of not knowing where you belong, a feeling many teens know well.” — Booklist
“In a story about letting go and courageously moving forward, Schneider makes the paranormal seem plausible. Readers will readily suspend their disbelief to see how Rose, a relatable heroine, deals with an apparition who grows increasingly bothersome while trying to pursue a meaningful relationship with the boy she loves.” — Publishers Weekly
“Friends, parties, and romance all pull Rose away from the past; but at home, Logan’s ghost drags her right back. Schneider’s premise is an interesting twist on books featuring protagonists dealing with grief.” — School Library Journal
Praise for EXTROADINARY MEANS: “Schneider’s subtlety, combined with themes about learning to live life fully, makes this an easy recommendation for those seeking titles similar in premise to John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars.” — School Library Journal
“A must-read for fans of The Fault in Our Stars.” — TeenReads
“Balancing the hope of new beginnings against the uncertain fates of victims, it’s a novel that should prompt thoughtful discussions.” — Publishers Weekly
“Clever banter, self-deprecating humor and the distinctive characters ensure that this captivating book about life, death, fear, and second chances will fly off the shelves.” — Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
“The perfect read-next for fans of the sick-lit trend and readers looking for a tear-stained romance. — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“Fans of John Green’s blockbuster The Fault in Our Stars who are eager for more of that kind of story will likely be satisfied.” — Booklist
Praise for THE BEGINNING OF EVERYTHING: “Smart writing and a compelling narrator raise this book above ordinary depictions of high school drama. Efficient use of language, evocative descriptions and subtle turns of phrase make reading and rereading this novel a delight.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“This thought-provoking novel about smart kids doing interesting things will resonate with the John Green contingent, as it is tinged with sadness, high jinks, wry humor, and philosophical pondering in equal measures.” — Booklist (starred review)
“Schneider shows remarkable skill at getting inside her narrator’s head as his life swings between disaster and recovery.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Robyn Schneider can write.” — New York Times Book Review
Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
Clever banter, self-deprecating humor and the distinctive characters ensure that this captivating book about life, death, fear, and second chances will fly off the shelves.
Booklist
Schneider’s characters shine in this romance, strapped with quirky, nerdy obsessions that many teens will relate to, and supported by realistic voices. The integration of the ghost story is unique. Schneider authentically [captures] the sensation of not knowing where you belong, a feeling many teens know well.”
TeenReads
A must-read for fans of The Fault in Our Stars.
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
The perfect read-next for fans of the sick-lit trend and readers looking for a tear-stained romance.
New York Times Book Review
Robyn Schneider can write.
Booklist (starred review)
This thought-provoking novel about smart kids doing interesting things will resonate with the John Green contingent, as it is tinged with sadness, high jinks, wry humor, and philosophical pondering in equal measures.
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
The perfect read-next for fans of the sick-lit trend and readers looking for a tear-stained romance.
Booklist
Schneider’s characters shine in this romance, strapped with quirky, nerdy obsessions that many teens will relate to, and supported by realistic voices. The integration of the ghost story is unique. Schneider authentically [captures] the sensation of not knowing where you belong, a feeling many teens know well.”
Booklist (starred review)
This thought-provoking novel about smart kids doing interesting things will resonate with the John Green contingent, as it is tinged with sadness, high jinks, wry humor, and philosophical pondering in equal measures.
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
The perfect read-next for fans of the sick-lit trend and readers looking for a tear-stained romance.
School Library Journal
04/01/2018
Gr 8 Up—Rose Asher's older brother Logan died accidentally four years ago, and he has been haunting her ever since. She isn't sure why she can see her brother's ghost, but she's content to spend afternoons on the couch watching Netflix instead of living the life a 16-year-old girl should. However, when old friend Jamie Aldridge moves back into town, Rose begins to experience the life her brother never got to have. Friends, parties, and romance all pull Rose away from the past; but at home, Logan's ghost drags her right back. Schneider's premise is an interesting twist on books featuring protagonists dealing with grief. Rose is a likable character. Her struggles are believable and readers will relate to her having to choose between friends and family. The romance with Jamie is a little too quick—it's obvious they will be paired off and the "will they or won't they" tension is light. The other protagonists are a variety of lovable nerds or characters who offer very little to the overall story line. Dealing with Logan's spirit is a nice touch and adds interesting elements about being held back by past traumas. Rose's guilt is aptly handled. VERDICT Purchase where contemporary romances with a sliver of supernatural are popular.—Paige Garrison, The Davis Academy, Sandy Springs, GA
JULY 2018 - AudioFile
Narrator Caitlin Kelly’s smooth transitions lend credibility to this audiobook, that tells a story that blends love and a ghost. Rose Asher is a junior who has believed in signs since the day her brother, Logan, died. The ghost of her brother is now her best friend—a relationship that is complicated by her feeling that she is responsible for his death. Kelly portrays Rose’s ironic tone well. Rose’s complex feelings are amplified when her childhood friend, Jamie, moves back to town. Her initial mix of scorn and attraction gradually yields to respect and then surprise when she learns that Jamie also can see Logan’s ghost. Kelly easily switches between her well-differentiated characters. She deftly captures the increasing willfulness of Logan as Rose’s affections shift and Jamie’s tender feelings for her grow. S.W. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
2018-03-20
Ghost stories tend to feature only two kinds of ghosts: kindly ones who want to help and terrifying ones who put people in danger; this novel presents an alternative: a ghost who's just mildly annoying.Logan is a teenager who spends all day watching old episodes of Buffy and Doctor Who and sulking when his sister, Rose, spends time with anyone but him. Four years have passed since Logan died, and the younger sister he used to protect is now taking the PSAT and thinking about dating. Logan is a fantastic metaphor. He represents both Rose's fear of adulthood and the pain and grief she still feels, years after losing her brother. But a ghost who does nothing but whine and binge on Netflix quickly becomes repetitive. Logan starts to feel like a distraction from the main characters. Jamie, Rose's potential boyfriend, is much more complex—laid back and insecure, flirtatious and intellectual—and so are Rose's other high school friends. (They're also fairly diverse: Rose and Logan are Jewish, Jamie has a white father and a Filipino mother, and their school includes interracial and same-sex couples.) The story requires that Rose let go of her brother, but it would be a lot more heart-rending if it felt like more of a struggle.Much too often, Logan isn't just an "invisible ghost." He's hardly there at all. (Fiction. 13-16)