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Still a Work in Progress
In a return to middle-grade fiction, master of perspectives Jo Knowles depicts a younger sibling struggling to maintain his everyday life while coping with his sister’s secret struggle.
Noah is just trying to make it through seventh grade. The girls are confusing, the homework is boring, and even his friends are starting to bug him. Not to mention that his older sister, Emma, has been acting pretty strange, even though Noah thought she’d been doing better ever since the Thing They Don’t Talk About. The only place he really feels at peace is in art class, with a block of clay in his hands. As it becomes clear through Emma’s ever-stricter food rules and regulations that she’s not really doing better at all, the normal seventh-grade year Noah was hoping for begins to seem pretty unattainable. In an affecting and realistic novel with bright spots of humor, Jo Knowles captures the complexities of navigating middle school while feeling helpless in the face of a family crisis.
Noah is just trying to make it through seventh grade. The girls are confusing, the homework is boring, and even his friends are starting to bug him. Not to mention that his older sister, Emma, has been acting pretty strange, even though Noah thought she’d been doing better ever since the Thing They Don’t Talk About. The only place he really feels at peace is in art class, with a block of clay in his hands. As it becomes clear through Emma’s ever-stricter food rules and regulations that she’s not really doing better at all, the normal seventh-grade year Noah was hoping for begins to seem pretty unattainable. In an affecting and realistic novel with bright spots of humor, Jo Knowles captures the complexities of navigating middle school while feeling helpless in the face of a family crisis.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published August 2, 2016
32 people are currently reading
945 people want to read
About the author
Jo Knowles
11 books769 followersHi! I'm the author of several books for kids and teens. including Ear Worm!,Meant To Be, and See You at Harry's. I'm available for school, library and book club visits either in person or via Zoom. For more info, please visit www.joknowles.com Thanks! :-)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
July 12, 2016
There is no information here that isn’t in the book description, but for people who like to go into books knowing nothing, I’ve put the majority of this review in spoiler tags, even though I care a great deal about spoiler tags when they’re warranted and I don’t really think they are here, but just in case.
I feel badly giving this book only 3 stars, and honestly maybe only 2 ½ stars. It’s a very good book. I’d say as a 10-11 year old I might have given it 4 stars. It’s just one of those middle grade books that doesn’t work for adults, or at least this adult, as much as do many middle grade books. I can recommend it to 10-13 year old boys and 10-12 year old girls. It’s one of those stories best read by kids, and that’s fine since they’re the targeted readers.
I won this paperback uncorrected proof edition book from LibraryThing’s Early Reviewers program in exchange for an honest review. It was easy to read, with a “real” cover image and an overall paperback finished look to it.
I do want to add that I did really like Emma and I really liked Noah, and I found most of the characters likeable and, as far as they were delved into, understandable.
I feel badly giving this book only 3 stars, and honestly maybe only 2 ½ stars. It’s a very good book. I’d say as a 10-11 year old I might have given it 4 stars. It’s just one of those middle grade books that doesn’t work for adults, or at least this adult, as much as do many middle grade books. I can recommend it to 10-13 year old boys and 10-12 year old girls. It’s one of those stories best read by kids, and that’s fine since they’re the targeted readers.
I won this paperback uncorrected proof edition book from LibraryThing’s Early Reviewers program in exchange for an honest review. It was easy to read, with a “real” cover image and an overall paperback finished look to it.
I do want to add that I did really like Emma and I really liked Noah, and I found most of the characters likeable and, as far as they were delved into, understandable.
August 3, 2016
Still A Work in Progress, the seventh novel from Jo Knowles, begins with Noah and his middle school crowd caught up in friendship, families, who-likes-who, and smelly stuff. It’s all charming in a Wonder Years kind of way. But after a mention or two of the Thing That Happened, we know that all is not right and something is lurking.
Noah’s older sister Emma is militantly vegan. Their parents tread lightly where Emma’s eating is concerned. Noah has no choice but to go along, but his mind is mostly on other things. A girl seems to like him. One of his friends is acting weird. Another friend suddenly has a girlfriend. Curly, his school’s hairless mascot cat is in trouble for catching mice and displaying the carnage.
I’m treading dangerously close to spoilers here. By the time Still A Work in Progress delivers its poignant conclusion, we’re left with important lessons about silent illnesses, the power of addictions, and the importance of supporting not only those with devastating conditions but also their siblings and other family members.
Jo Knowles is a treasure among YA/MG authors. She consistently writes important, satisfying books that explore the tricky balancing act of adolescence. Each of her books reminds readers that perfection is an impossible standard, but if we reach out to those experiencing tough times, together we can get to higher ground, to places where, as Noah says, “We’re all relieved to be laughing together again. It doesn’t matter why.”
Noah’s older sister Emma is militantly vegan. Their parents tread lightly where Emma’s eating is concerned. Noah has no choice but to go along, but his mind is mostly on other things. A girl seems to like him. One of his friends is acting weird. Another friend suddenly has a girlfriend. Curly, his school’s hairless mascot cat is in trouble for catching mice and displaying the carnage.
I’m treading dangerously close to spoilers here. By the time Still A Work in Progress delivers its poignant conclusion, we’re left with important lessons about silent illnesses, the power of addictions, and the importance of supporting not only those with devastating conditions but also their siblings and other family members.
Jo Knowles is a treasure among YA/MG authors. She consistently writes important, satisfying books that explore the tricky balancing act of adolescence. Each of her books reminds readers that perfection is an impossible standard, but if we reach out to those experiencing tough times, together we can get to higher ground, to places where, as Noah says, “We’re all relieved to be laughing together again. It doesn’t matter why.”
October 12, 2016
3.5 Stars
I haven’t read Jo Knowles in a long time, but she has a couple of books that left quite a mark on me—especially Jumping Off Swings. So when I spotted her new book, I scooped it up and starting reading before I even left the library!
Still a Work in Progress has a little of everything from fun to heartache. But what I really want to emphasize and shout huge love about here are her characters. Ms. Knowles has a way of making all the characters—EVERY single one—come to life. Teachers, kids, and pets! I can see and feel this community, school, and family as clear as day. I can see the heart. The heart of a family. Our guide through this story is Noah, a seventh grader trying to make his way through school, girls, and emotional family turmoil. Emma, Noah’s big sister, is going through something Noah’s parents and friends don’t know how to deal with or talk about. It has become known as the “thing they don’t talk about”. Just because we don’t talk about something though--doesn’t mean it’s not there causing all sorts of pain and worry. I loved how Noah described his feelings for Emma at one point as hating her, missing her, and loving her all at the same time. I actually…. When one member of a family is lost and hurting—the whole family feels it.
On the fun and sweet side of things, Noah and his best friends, Sam and Ryan, are a riot! These boys were clueless, real, annoying, and sweet all rolled into one. You have to see this trio of friends try to figure out girls. Haha…It’s painful and adorable to watch. We see it all---locker juice, pole dancing, fart squads, and love served over liverwurst and onions! :D You have to meet Noah and his world.
Recommended. Pick it up at your local library.
May 8, 2017
Full review with teaching tools: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=1...
What I am always amazed by when I read a book by Jo Knowles is her ability to tell the truth about our world, and this book once again fits this description. Jo has a way of making her characters ones that are so real that you can imagine them walking into a school and know exactly which kids they’d hang out with. Noah and his friends could definitely be middle school students at my school. Her stories always seem to include a bit of humor (see: hairless cat on the cover) while never taking away from the seriousness of the book’s topic. The emotions, specifically pain or sadness, she portrays through her characters radiates out of the pages, so the reader can feel it.
What I am always amazed by when I read a book by Jo Knowles is her ability to tell the truth about our world, and this book once again fits this description. Jo has a way of making her characters ones that are so real that you can imagine them walking into a school and know exactly which kids they’d hang out with. Noah and his friends could definitely be middle school students at my school. Her stories always seem to include a bit of humor (see: hairless cat on the cover) while never taking away from the seriousness of the book’s topic. The emotions, specifically pain or sadness, she portrays through her characters radiates out of the pages, so the reader can feel it.
August 7, 2016
Another thought-provoking, touching and heart-breaking novel by Jo Knowles. She is a master in bringing wonderful characters to life, in making tough issues accessible to young readers, in letting readers deeply connect and empathize with the characters of her stories, in letting us laugh and cry with them, having our hearts broken and then finding new hope. Jo Knowles says about her book: "Fearing that someone you love could relapse into a dangerous health situation is difficult and exhausting. It's also fairly common. And yet the people carrying this burden are often overlooked. I wanted to give a voice to one such kid." And that's exactly what she did. I loved Noah right from the start, could relate so well to his constant worries and fears, felt the burden he carried on his young shoulders. That's most probably also why among my favorite moments in the book is when Noah experiences a short moment of utter bliss and happiness, totally unrelated to the health drama thematised in the book. Reading it made me so happy for him - showed me how real he felt to me and what an amazing job Jo Knowles has done once again in bringing a wonderful protagonist to life, in making voices heard that are often missed in difficult situations when all the focus is on the immediate victim/patient etc. Her books are truly special and help me as a librarian to ensure that all of my readers can find themselves in books.
Thank you, Jo, for letting us hear Noah's story.
Btw - I also loved that the story started with a relatively slow pace, yet the author had planted seeds early on by mentioning "the Thing We Don't Talk About" that slowly but steadily built tension and suspense. Bit by bit the clues got bigger, until the reader has a pretty good idea what the "thing" might be before it is finally revealed. Masterfully done.
Thank you, Jo, for letting us hear Noah's story.
Btw - I also loved that the story started with a relatively slow pace, yet the author had planted seeds early on by mentioning "the Thing We Don't Talk About" that slowly but steadily built tension and suspense. Bit by bit the clues got bigger, until the reader has a pretty good idea what the "thing" might be before it is finally revealed. Masterfully done.
September 3, 2016
Eighth-grader Noah deals with friend troubles, school troubles, and girl troubles. None of these compare, however, to the Thing We Don't Talk About, his older sister's eating disorder. The family dealt with it one time, and now, if they just don't talk about, maybe it will go away.
Noah is a clever, cheerful fellow and I loved watching him deal with his friends and school and potential girlfriends in a clever and cheerful way. The story sobers up when his family finally realizes that his sister is covering up the recurrence of her problems, and begins to take action to help her. You couldn't find a group of adolescents more endearing, and the love of the family for each other throughout their trials is heartening.
Noah is a clever, cheerful fellow and I loved watching him deal with his friends and school and potential girlfriends in a clever and cheerful way. The story sobers up when his family finally realizes that his sister is covering up the recurrence of her problems, and begins to take action to help her. You couldn't find a group of adolescents more endearing, and the love of the family for each other throughout their trials is heartening.
January 31, 2017
I had the opportunity to read a digital ARC (NetGalley) of this middle grade realistic fiction novel by Jo Knowles in exchange for this review. I really enjoyed this book and am going to be anxious to see how the students in my class like it. This book tells the story of a seventh grade boy, Noah, who is dealing with all of the stuff of middle school: friends, budding romance, teachers, homework, parents, etc. On top of all of that, his older sister, Emma, is at the center of a family crisis that has everyone (including the dog) struggling to keep it together.
For my complete review, please visit: http://janatheteacher.blogspot.com/20...
For my complete review, please visit: http://janatheteacher.blogspot.com/20...
November 24, 2016
Noah's life is completely changing. All at once, his friends start dating or talking about dating. That'd be bad enough, but his older sister may be getting sick again.
I think this may be Jo Knowles' best yet. Noah's confusion and anxiety is perfectly captured. I could imagine every character and scene in this novel, and everything broke my heart and fixed it and broke it again.
Highly recommended.
I think this may be Jo Knowles' best yet. Noah's confusion and anxiety is perfectly captured. I could imagine every character and scene in this novel, and everything broke my heart and fixed it and broke it again.
Highly recommended.
August 23, 2016
This is definitely 3.5 stars. It is hard for me to give a Jo Knowles' book only 3.5 stars. I usually love everything she writes - especially See You at Harry's. I will still book talk it with students and share it soon.
March 4, 2019
***Spoilers
3.5 STARS
Navigating seventh grade isn’t easy for Noah. One of his friends gets a girl friend. The others are more concerned surging farts and other offensive smells. Family life revolves around his sister Emma’s eating disorder. When her condition reaches crisis level, Noah no longer knows what’s important.
STILL A WORK IN PROGRESS feels like two different books. The first part has more farting than I ever need to read. I’m not a middle school kid and I guess this might appeal to boy readers, but I don’t know many girls who are interested in that. The coming-of-age part, where the first in the friend group starts dating us awkward and sweet. Boys and girls can probably relate. Family dynamics are the strongest part of the story. Emma and her eating disorder run the family. Substitute autism or depression or another special need and Noah’s family dysfunction is reminiscent of many families I’ve worked with. He’s lost in the shuffle, expected to keep the peace, to be the kid without problems. His needs come secondary. Christmas is postponed because of Emma’s crisis. His gifts come weeks later.
STILL A WORK IN PROGRESS doesn’t address most of the family issues. Their problems aren’t magically solved at the end of the book. Emma isn’t home and cured. But the family is moving forward. Noah is coming into his own and although Emma still runs the show, even from the hospital, his needs are also recognized.
3.5 STARS
Navigating seventh grade isn’t easy for Noah. One of his friends gets a girl friend. The others are more concerned surging farts and other offensive smells. Family life revolves around his sister Emma’s eating disorder. When her condition reaches crisis level, Noah no longer knows what’s important.
STILL A WORK IN PROGRESS feels like two different books. The first part has more farting than I ever need to read. I’m not a middle school kid and I guess this might appeal to boy readers, but I don’t know many girls who are interested in that. The coming-of-age part, where the first in the friend group starts dating us awkward and sweet. Boys and girls can probably relate. Family dynamics are the strongest part of the story. Emma and her eating disorder run the family. Substitute autism or depression or another special need and Noah’s family dysfunction is reminiscent of many families I’ve worked with. He’s lost in the shuffle, expected to keep the peace, to be the kid without problems. His needs come secondary. Christmas is postponed because of Emma’s crisis. His gifts come weeks later.
STILL A WORK IN PROGRESS doesn’t address most of the family issues. Their problems aren’t magically solved at the end of the book. Emma isn’t home and cured. But the family is moving forward. Noah is coming into his own and although Emma still runs the show, even from the hospital, his needs are also recognized.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 18, 2016
Not surprisingly, Jo Knowles has written another great book! Noah is a character that is easy to care about and feel for. His view of the world is authentic and his love for his family is very real. This novel reminded me how truly awful and stressful it was to be a middle schooler! Jo created an environment that is specific to Noah, but general enough that everyone who has been into a middle school can relate to. His emotions, the problems he faces and his reactions are spot on. I specifically loved his relationship with his sister, Emma. It is a quick read with emotional moments, but also fun and silly moments too. I think this book will make a lot of older readers remember middle school and laugh and will make younger readers realize their insecurities and feelings about their imperfections are not abnormal. Jo always does a great job producing a voice the reader can trust and believe, and this book is no exception.
October 10, 2017
This one cuts right to the chase - the reader knows there’s an issue with Noah’s older sister, Emma. The oh-so-complicated feelings that emanate from him regarding his sister’s eating disorder are so raw and real. I’m thankful Jo Knowles put Noah in such a safe spot - a great school with teachers and friends who care, along with a therapy (hairless) cat for good measure.
September 26, 2023
i first read this book close to when it came out, when i was still the target age group, and only a year or two after my own older brother went inpatient twice for similar reasons.
i have been trying to find it again for EONS with no success until now (god bless libby’s filtering system), and i think it’s very lucky that i found it again when i did, after having had six years since to process what had happened with my brother, and after him having healed to the point where thinking about his illness is looking back at a hard time rather than a current and serious event. i read this within about two hours and spend half of it in tears.
i found it to be accurate down to the last detail. i think the author has an innate talent for writing 12 year olds. in conclusion 10/10 i am signing off before i turn this review into a therapy session
i have been trying to find it again for EONS with no success until now (god bless libby’s filtering system), and i think it’s very lucky that i found it again when i did, after having had six years since to process what had happened with my brother, and after him having healed to the point where thinking about his illness is looking back at a hard time rather than a current and serious event. i read this within about two hours and spend half of it in tears.
i found it to be accurate down to the last detail. i think the author has an innate talent for writing 12 year olds. in conclusion 10/10 i am signing off before i turn this review into a therapy session
January 2, 2019
I love that you are waiting anxiously to know about "the thing we don't talk about" while going through Noah's daily life.
May 4, 2021
Was not prepared for this book! Had me crying and laughing. This was such an easy read and I couldn’t put it down. Every one of her books has made me laugh/cry.
March 15, 2023
3.5 stars!
September 30, 2024
I <3 Curly
This was very well written. This is the second Jo Knowles book I've read, and the second to which I've given 5 stars. Going to add more of hers to my to-read list.
This was very well written. This is the second Jo Knowles book I've read, and the second to which I've given 5 stars. Going to add more of hers to my to-read list.
September 10, 2016
I don't read a lot of older MG, but this one I LOVED as hard as my favorite YAs. The ending was a little forced, but overall I loved reading about Noah and his 2 best friends, their quirky school, and of course Curly.
I don't really read older MG, but when I saw that Jo Knowles had a new book I really wanted to read it no matter what age group it involved. What I learned was, I LOVE reading about MG boys!! If they're all like Noah, Ryan, and Sam, I could read about them non-stop. They're so funny and self-conscious, and just how I would picture boys going through that awkward age range would be.
My Fave Parts: The friendship between the boys. It wasn't 3 Musketeers-- they got on each other's nerves, they fought, they ignored each other.... but when it really came down to it, they had each other's backs. And there were a few moments between Noah and Ryan that warmed my heart because I think they fell out of the typical boy friendship "rules" (you know-- where you can't hug each other, sleep in the same bed at sleepovers, do nice things like buy presents for each other-- and other stupid stuff males do to act like they aren't emotional beings). I also LOVED the school they went to. It was quirky and non-traditional, and I kind of wish I went to a school like that. Also they had a cat at the school!! And it was allowed to just wander and do it's own thing!! Okay, I'm not really a fan of hairless cats, but how could I not love Curly and her outfits that changed everyday?? I spent most of the book terrified that for some reason Curly would have to leave the school... I just loved her so much, I wanted her to stay!!
I thought this book was adorably cute while also being serious when it needed to be. And I would put this up there with my favorite YA Contemporary books. Only thing is.... I felt the ending was kind of forced. I mean there's this big ISSUE that happens, and Noah and his family kind of go through some major breakdowns, and then it seemed like nothing really changed except Noah decided "Okay, I'm done with it". I didn't really care for that especially since his parents (you know, the ones who should be setting the example) were not coping well and NOT fixing it. But other than that bit of glossing over, I really found this unputdownable.
PS-- I totally have my kid saying "Who's to say?" whenever someone asks him about something (it's what Ryan says to his teachers when he doesn't want to answer a question).
OVERALL: LOVED reading Middle Grade from Jo Knowles. I knew if I stuck it out with this author it would pay off. I love this one and Read Between the Lines. It's so readable, adorable, cute, funny, but also about some heavier issues. I would recommend this to anyone for pretty much any reason.
My Blog:
I don't really read older MG, but when I saw that Jo Knowles had a new book I really wanted to read it no matter what age group it involved. What I learned was, I LOVE reading about MG boys!! If they're all like Noah, Ryan, and Sam, I could read about them non-stop. They're so funny and self-conscious, and just how I would picture boys going through that awkward age range would be.
My Fave Parts: The friendship between the boys. It wasn't 3 Musketeers-- they got on each other's nerves, they fought, they ignored each other.... but when it really came down to it, they had each other's backs. And there were a few moments between Noah and Ryan that warmed my heart because I think they fell out of the typical boy friendship "rules" (you know-- where you can't hug each other, sleep in the same bed at sleepovers, do nice things like buy presents for each other-- and other stupid stuff males do to act like they aren't emotional beings). I also LOVED the school they went to. It was quirky and non-traditional, and I kind of wish I went to a school like that. Also they had a cat at the school!! And it was allowed to just wander and do it's own thing!! Okay, I'm not really a fan of hairless cats, but how could I not love Curly and her outfits that changed everyday?? I spent most of the book terrified that for some reason Curly would have to leave the school... I just loved her so much, I wanted her to stay!!
I thought this book was adorably cute while also being serious when it needed to be. And I would put this up there with my favorite YA Contemporary books. Only thing is.... I felt the ending was kind of forced. I mean there's this big ISSUE that happens, and Noah and his family kind of go through some major breakdowns, and then it seemed like nothing really changed except Noah decided "Okay, I'm done with it". I didn't really care for that especially since his parents (you know, the ones who should be setting the example) were not coping well and NOT fixing it. But other than that bit of glossing over, I really found this unputdownable.
PS-- I totally have my kid saying "Who's to say?" whenever someone asks him about something (it's what Ryan says to his teachers when he doesn't want to answer a question).
OVERALL: LOVED reading Middle Grade from Jo Knowles. I knew if I stuck it out with this author it would pay off. I love this one and Read Between the Lines. It's so readable, adorable, cute, funny, but also about some heavier issues. I would recommend this to anyone for pretty much any reason.
My Blog:
July 24, 2016
Summary: An upper-middle-grades story about a boy whose sister has a severe eating disorder relapse. Zippy dialogue and developed pet characters, and a message of working towards a better tomorrow make the overall tenor of this book heartfelt and optimistic rather than depressing. Compare to Jordan Sonnenblick’s Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie.
Review:
At school, Noah’s life seems fairly simple - at least as simple as middle school boys have it. His goofy, slightly smelly friend Sam has a girlfriend, and his other best friend Ryan is acting all emo (or “emu,” as the boys call it.) The friends say that Sadie likes Noah, but Sadie also appears to be in a relationship with somebody else. Oh, the drama. Some days it seems like the only being in the entire middle school who isn’t in a relationship or wanting to be in a relationship is Curly, the school’s cat. Curly also happens to be bald, but students make her sweaters.
At home, there are growing signs that Emma’s is having a relapse of her eating disorder … we don’t learn for sure that it’s an eating disorder until about ⅔ of the way through the story, but sensitive readers will put together the clues early on. Emma is obsessed with food, insists that the family eats vegan, bundles sweaters on top of sweaters, and barely eats. After a nightmarish Christmas in which she is sent straight to the hospital, Noah and Noah’s parents stew in guilt: how did they not see this happening again? Why didn’t they do anything sooner? Why can’t Emma just solve her own problem?
At a culminating moment in the book, Noah is able to both verbalize this guilt and rewrite his thinking through conversation. Through his own experiences, he also becomes more empathetic towards Emma, Ryan and others who may be silently shouldering large emotional burdens.
This book is well-done for intermediate readers (approx. grades 6-9). First, this book is short without seeming juvenile: it’s 310 pages, the pages are small, the text is comfortable. I read this book at a rate of 2-3 pages a minute, which I find is about the rate as a “just right” book for most of my readers. Second, this book shines in its dialogue rather than its inner thinking, which I think is the right stylistic choice for a writer who is trying to appeal to a wide swath of intermediate readers. Third, it touches upon issues and ideas that are mostly outside the elementary realm, including Emma admonishing her mom for slut-shaming, a funny discussion about what base is what sexual activity, and a male couple that’s invited over for Thanksgiving to give this book an incidental LGBTQ-friendly twist.
I’ll give this book a 5-star review, not necessarily because it’s the best book I’ve read this year, but it’s the one I need for my classroom library.
(Reviewed from ARC)
Review:
At school, Noah’s life seems fairly simple - at least as simple as middle school boys have it. His goofy, slightly smelly friend Sam has a girlfriend, and his other best friend Ryan is acting all emo (or “emu,” as the boys call it.) The friends say that Sadie likes Noah, but Sadie also appears to be in a relationship with somebody else. Oh, the drama. Some days it seems like the only being in the entire middle school who isn’t in a relationship or wanting to be in a relationship is Curly, the school’s cat. Curly also happens to be bald, but students make her sweaters.
At home, there are growing signs that Emma’s is having a relapse of her eating disorder … we don’t learn for sure that it’s an eating disorder until about ⅔ of the way through the story, but sensitive readers will put together the clues early on. Emma is obsessed with food, insists that the family eats vegan, bundles sweaters on top of sweaters, and barely eats. After a nightmarish Christmas in which she is sent straight to the hospital, Noah and Noah’s parents stew in guilt: how did they not see this happening again? Why didn’t they do anything sooner? Why can’t Emma just solve her own problem?
At a culminating moment in the book, Noah is able to both verbalize this guilt and rewrite his thinking through conversation. Through his own experiences, he also becomes more empathetic towards Emma, Ryan and others who may be silently shouldering large emotional burdens.
This book is well-done for intermediate readers (approx. grades 6-9). First, this book is short without seeming juvenile: it’s 310 pages, the pages are small, the text is comfortable. I read this book at a rate of 2-3 pages a minute, which I find is about the rate as a “just right” book for most of my readers. Second, this book shines in its dialogue rather than its inner thinking, which I think is the right stylistic choice for a writer who is trying to appeal to a wide swath of intermediate readers. Third, it touches upon issues and ideas that are mostly outside the elementary realm, including Emma admonishing her mom for slut-shaming, a funny discussion about what base is what sexual activity, and a male couple that’s invited over for Thanksgiving to give this book an incidental LGBTQ-friendly twist.
I’ll give this book a 5-star review, not necessarily because it’s the best book I’ve read this year, but it’s the one I need for my classroom library.
(Reviewed from ARC)
July 21, 2016
I was privileged to read an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of this book, and I'm acquainted with Jo Knowles. Frankly, none of this disclosure holds any special meaning at all, because "Still A Work In Progress" is an extraordinary glimpse into the minds, the lives, and the very existence of middle schoolers whether I like it or not.
Jo Knowles knows kids. She knows their likes, their loves, their terrors, and their simple irritations. She knows how parents are sometimes left dumbfounded by events that overtake them, that all families matter but all families are not, in fact, created equal.
In her new book, main character Noah tries to navigate 8th grade in much the same way an alien would navigate Times Square, sometimes lost, sometimes befuddled. Middle school is confusing in all respects except when he's in art class, where he excels. Girls are weird but strangely compelling, and schoolmates are sometimes nuttier'n a junkyard dog. Well meaning, of course, but made crazy by–what else?–girls.
Without spoiling anything, it's safe to say Noah's older sister, Emma, is hobbled by a recurrent problem that embroils the entire family. It's during this time that Noah realizes how important his sister is to him, and how unimportant are the other distractions in his world.
What is perhaps most engaging in this story is the compassion Jo exhibits through her characters. The strengths are paradoxical: Noah is strong, his father is weak (as a dad myownself, I was frankly dismayed by Noah's dad's behavior. Don't judge me.), and mom is somewhere in the middle. Noah is a success, generally, and his sister is a failure at controlling her debilitating, self-imposed problem. Some of Noah's classmates are mature in relationships; some of his teachers in the small school are friends; and there is a hairless cat mascot roaming around as if it owns the place, because, evidently, it does.
There is laugh-out-loud humor, and watery-eyed pathos. There are kids each of us went to middle school with, and some we wish we had. The story is less a book than a time machine, and one size fits all.
I have high confidence that middle schoolers will read this story with recognition–as adults will, too. If "Still A Work In Progress" fairly represents the state of middle school today, it hasn't changed much since I was in 8th grade. That makes for a compelling, page-turning story of extraordinary and universal meaning for everyone.
Strongly, unequivocally recommended.
Jo Knowles knows kids. She knows their likes, their loves, their terrors, and their simple irritations. She knows how parents are sometimes left dumbfounded by events that overtake them, that all families matter but all families are not, in fact, created equal.
In her new book, main character Noah tries to navigate 8th grade in much the same way an alien would navigate Times Square, sometimes lost, sometimes befuddled. Middle school is confusing in all respects except when he's in art class, where he excels. Girls are weird but strangely compelling, and schoolmates are sometimes nuttier'n a junkyard dog. Well meaning, of course, but made crazy by–what else?–girls.
Without spoiling anything, it's safe to say Noah's older sister, Emma, is hobbled by a recurrent problem that embroils the entire family. It's during this time that Noah realizes how important his sister is to him, and how unimportant are the other distractions in his world.
What is perhaps most engaging in this story is the compassion Jo exhibits through her characters. The strengths are paradoxical: Noah is strong, his father is weak (as a dad myownself, I was frankly dismayed by Noah's dad's behavior. Don't judge me.), and mom is somewhere in the middle. Noah is a success, generally, and his sister is a failure at controlling her debilitating, self-imposed problem. Some of Noah's classmates are mature in relationships; some of his teachers in the small school are friends; and there is a hairless cat mascot roaming around as if it owns the place, because, evidently, it does.
There is laugh-out-loud humor, and watery-eyed pathos. There are kids each of us went to middle school with, and some we wish we had. The story is less a book than a time machine, and one size fits all.
I have high confidence that middle schoolers will read this story with recognition–as adults will, too. If "Still A Work In Progress" fairly represents the state of middle school today, it hasn't changed much since I was in 8th grade. That makes for a compelling, page-turning story of extraordinary and universal meaning for everyone.
Strongly, unequivocally recommended.
November 8, 2016
Knowles, Jo Still a Work in Progress, 311 pages. Candlewick, 2016. $17. Language: G (4 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (extremely mild boy talk); Violence: G.
Noah, Sam, and Ryan have been best friends forever. While Noah is tring to deal with all of the normal pressures of middle school, he is dealing with an open secret at home – his sister’s anorexia. Even his friends only refer to it obliquely, and even his parents aren’t sure how to handle their daughter’s demands and behavior. When she has a relapse at Christmas, Noah is sure that no one can help him deal with this added pressure and withdraws from his friends a bit, just when he really needs them the most.
Yeah Knowles! I have at least five people that I want to share this book with right now for a variety of reasons. Whether talking about anorexia and its lingering effects on everyone involved, talking about struggling with trauma while everyone around proceeds as normal – Knowles covers both concepts with equal deftness. This is a gem!
MS – ESSENTIAL. Cindy, Library Teacher
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2016/...
Noah, Sam, and Ryan have been best friends forever. While Noah is tring to deal with all of the normal pressures of middle school, he is dealing with an open secret at home – his sister’s anorexia. Even his friends only refer to it obliquely, and even his parents aren’t sure how to handle their daughter’s demands and behavior. When she has a relapse at Christmas, Noah is sure that no one can help him deal with this added pressure and withdraws from his friends a bit, just when he really needs them the most.
Yeah Knowles! I have at least five people that I want to share this book with right now for a variety of reasons. Whether talking about anorexia and its lingering effects on everyone involved, talking about struggling with trauma while everyone around proceeds as normal – Knowles covers both concepts with equal deftness. This is a gem!
MS – ESSENTIAL. Cindy, Library Teacher
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2016/...
July 30, 2016
There are many things that make this an appealing and important middle grade read. Noah, the main character offers the reader humour, an honest voice and a glimpse into the challenges of middle school, friendship and identity. This part of the story is delivered with lots of humour, believable vulnerabilities and a realistic seventh grader voice. Noah's life is about more than school and figuring out how to be a teenager. There are struggles at home as he and his parents dance around older sister Emma's struggles with eating and control. Because this is Noah's story and not Emma's, the story line focuses on what it is like to face a health/mental health crisis in a family - an important perspective that Knowles lets us explore. Emma and Noah have a lovely sibling relationship but this is hardly perfect family life. Real, honest and sometimes heartbreaking. Highly recommended for readers 10 and up.
I was pleased to win an ARC of this novel in a Goodreads giveaway.
I was pleased to win an ARC of this novel in a Goodreads giveaway.
December 19, 2017
I'm probably never going to love a Jo Knowles book as much as I loved See You at Harry's (cut to me sobbing on an airplane), but this one was really good.
The story is essentially about a teenage girl with an eating disorder, but told from her younger brother's perspective...which is really different and interesting. It's also about family and friendship and what's important in life--there are a lot of great themes, really.
The only thing that bothered me was the dialogue between Noah and his friends. They read really young to me...sometimes not at all like 7th graders (and as a middle school librarian, I feel like I have some knowledge here). But since this is a clean-cut story for middle graders, maybe that's not so surprising.
The story is essentially about a teenage girl with an eating disorder, but told from her younger brother's perspective...which is really different and interesting. It's also about family and friendship and what's important in life--there are a lot of great themes, really.
The only thing that bothered me was the dialogue between Noah and his friends. They read really young to me...sometimes not at all like 7th graders (and as a middle school librarian, I feel like I have some knowledge here). But since this is a clean-cut story for middle graders, maybe that's not so surprising.
August 22, 2016
Noah deals with the usual day-to-day dramas of middle school as he and his friends squabble about girls and dating. However, woven through his narrative is his worry about the Thing They Don’t Talk About which readers will gradually realize is that Noah’s sister, Emma, has an eating disorder. Home life is stressful, especially at meals, where Emma dictates rules (such as no meat), and their parents go along with it in hopes that Emma will just eat. Balancing out the difficulties at home are Noah’s supportive friends and the caring teachers and administrators at his small school. Humor in the form of a toxic locker cleanout, a hairless cat who is the school pet, and a farting dog for a family pet lightens the narrative. Noah’s thoughts and conversations sound authentic, and his point of view, from the sibling in the family who doesn’t have issues, is a valuable one.
October 26, 2016
STILL A WORK IN PROGRESS by Jo Knowles follows a seventh grader navigating world of middle school.
Noah feels most comfortable in art class. Life outside the art room is filled with friendship complexities, a sister with an eating disorder, and family issues. A hairless cat named Curly provides a humorous subplot.
Knowles creates a believable world with realistic dialog and authentic situations.
Librarians will find that middle-grade youth enjoy the balance of realistic fiction and humor. The themes of mental health and eating disorders are popular with this age group. However, the male perspective makes this book particularly distinct.
To learn more about the publisher, go to http://www.joknowles.com. A discussion guide is available.
Published by Candlewick on August 2, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.
Noah feels most comfortable in art class. Life outside the art room is filled with friendship complexities, a sister with an eating disorder, and family issues. A hairless cat named Curly provides a humorous subplot.
Knowles creates a believable world with realistic dialog and authentic situations.
Librarians will find that middle-grade youth enjoy the balance of realistic fiction and humor. The themes of mental health and eating disorders are popular with this age group. However, the male perspective makes this book particularly distinct.
To learn more about the publisher, go to http://www.joknowles.com. A discussion guide is available.
Published by Candlewick on August 2, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.
July 11, 2016
The first part of this book follows three eighth grade boys who are best friends and just starting to navigate the middle school dating scene. While it hints at some darker previous incident with Noah's sister Emma, it is mostly somewhat goofy and lighthearted, complete with padded bra incidents, awkward dances, and a school cat named Curly who helps keep the mouse population down. The second act of this book takes a pretty sharp turn away from the middle school drama into Emma's eating disorder. While that didn't bother me, it might throw off some younger readers who are looking for a less weighty story. However, it does a good job of portraying what it's like for those on the outside of the disease trying to cope. A possible readalike for those that enjoyed Goodbye Stranger.
September 10, 2016
Still a Work in Progress is filled with characters that won’t leave you alone. They move into your heart and walk with you through life. Jo Knowles specialty is knowing how it feels to be a teenager. The thoughts, traumas, and heartaches we face—and she lets her characters remind us how to navigate the crazy angst-filled time. There are no short cuts, and no indication that it will be easy—just possible. Told from the male perspective, Noah takes you through family secrets, and walking the fine line of wanting to scream them to the world to be relieved of the pressure, to hiding behind them, so that you continue to be accepted. Knowles gifts us another beautiful story that will resonate with teens of all ages.
May 26, 2016
This starts off as a fairly typical middle school story focusing on school and friendship dynamics, but mid-way through, things get intense quickly! Jo Knowles knows how to pack an emotional punch and this is a sensitive and realistic portrayal of how eating disorders impact entire families, not just the individual suffering from them. I loved Noah's earnest voice, and his buddies Sam and Ryan are perfect prototypical (but not stereotypical) 8th grade boys.
Thank you to Candlewick for providing an ARC review copy.
Thank you to Candlewick for providing an ARC review copy.
May 9, 2016
Here is an eating-disorder story from a middle-school sibling's perspective. Closer than anybody to his sister, outside looking in on her disease yet seemingly powerless to help, it's hard to know the limits of your influence on someone else's behavior, and hard not to blame yourself.
This is true even if you have a loving family, several supportive friends, and go to a hippy-dippy school with caring teachers and a hairless therapy cat.
This is true even if you have a loving family, several supportive friends, and go to a hippy-dippy school with caring teachers and a hairless therapy cat.
May 17, 2016
A pitch perfect adolescent boy drama, all of the confusion and hormones and fart humor with none of the Andrew Smith-esque raunch. I loved its sensitive treatment of mental health issues, its imperfect but well meaning parents, its perfectly age-appropriate friendship angst, and its gently sarcastic humor. This book was my favorite Book Expo grab and the first one I tore into after coming home. Loved it.
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