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Thanks a Lot, Universe #1
Thanks a Lot, Universe
A moving middle-grade debut for anyone who’s ever felt like they don’t 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 doesn’t know if things will ever be “normal” again...
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 doesn’t know if things will ever be “normal” again...
Ezra’s always been popular. He’s friends with most of the kids on his basketball team — even Brian, who usually keeps to himself. 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 he’s 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. Both boys have to decide if they’re willing to risk sharing parts of themselves they’d rather hide. But if they can be brave, they might just find the best in themselves — and each other.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published May 11, 2021
71 people are currently reading
4568 people want to read
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June 27, 2023
i love crying over 13-year-old fictional boys
March 13, 2021
not my heart aching because of a bunch of 13 year old boys 😭🥺
October 9, 2022
Liked the first half better. But all's well that ends well.
Anxiety, bullying, self-harm, problematic parents
I find the writing quite easy to get into. It's fast-paced. A bit too young for me I feel but I still enjoyed it.
The characters are quite engaging and realistic. But I do find the adult characters to be adult and not be that much dramatic, selfish and M.I.A. kind of parents.
Foster home failure, friends seem a bit distant and family vibes is totally missing.
I like the story, the writing and the characters for standing out on their own. The only thing which I wanted more just didn't happen. That is the inevitable chemistry or connection between the two main characters. It's there but I wanted more. I like the characters for who they are and how they are being represented as. The adult characters were represented so bad. Except for the teachers and the security or the authority side characters. I don't want to read another book with such adult characters ever again.
I do feel the book could have been much shorter. But I am happy that there wasn't a boring moment and I didn't want to stop while I was reading it.
I liked how the story started and yes, it ended well. But I feel the first half was much better.
I will be looking forward to more books by the author. I feel the writing and the character development work quite well.
Anxiety, bullying, self-harm, problematic parents
I find the writing quite easy to get into. It's fast-paced. A bit too young for me I feel but I still enjoyed it.
The characters are quite engaging and realistic. But I do find the adult characters to be adult and not be that much dramatic, selfish and M.I.A. kind of parents.
Foster home failure, friends seem a bit distant and family vibes is totally missing.
I like the story, the writing and the characters for standing out on their own. The only thing which I wanted more just didn't happen. That is the inevitable chemistry or connection between the two main characters. It's there but I wanted more. I like the characters for who they are and how they are being represented as. The adult characters were represented so bad. Except for the teachers and the security or the authority side characters. I don't want to read another book with such adult characters ever again.
I do feel the book could have been much shorter. But I am happy that there wasn't a boring moment and I didn't want to stop while I was reading it.
I liked how the story started and yes, it ended well. But I feel the first half was much better.
I will be looking forward to more books by the author. I feel the writing and the character development work quite well.
June 25, 2023
✰ 4.5 stars ✰
“No man ever steps in the same river twice. It means life keeps moving and nothing is forever.”
Thanks a Lot, Universe is a beautiful example of why I still read Middle Grade books. It is a heart-felt honest and emotional portrayal of how life-long friendships can change as we enter the first stages of our teen years, the importance of being kind to one another, and the gentle way in how we can learn to deal with family trauma, which we may have never expected. 😞
“I was stuck in a broken universe where even good people got it wrong.”
When Brian's mother said to him “I bet thirteen’s going to be great. The universe owes you a good year,” a day before his thirteenth birthday, he didn't know just how much of this statement wouldn't ring true. And it hurt to see what happened - I felt so bad for him - how he had to become the adult, years before his time. 😟 Brian is a sweet, but anxiety-ridden boy, who within the span of seconds, his world abruptly imploded on him. I can't even say how unfair it was for what his parents made him go through, because, how can any child ever hold their parents accountable for their actions, especially when we love them so much. 😔
“The people who love us the most are usually the people who mess us up the most too.”
My heart ached for just how much he had to endure afterwards - how he had to put up a brave and strong front for his younger brother - for having to not only his keep his own anxiety in check, but then to be at the mercy of the foster care system, stand up to his own troubles with school bullies. 😢 I actually admired how much he let go of his inhibitions, how he finally let himself go - not as a rebel, but to finally realize that he did not have to be at the mercy of anyone. ❤️🩹❤️🩹 But, I loved how gently his friendship with Ezra began - right from the start, they were so honest and friendly and open with each other. As much as he wanted to be his friend, he never wanted to ask for anything more from him, even when Ezra confessed to him. 🥺
“There are people we hang around because it’s comfortable or convenient or safe, then there are our people.
When you find them, you’ll know the difference.”
Ezra was a precious soul with the kindest heart - and it hurt my heart at how much he tried to preserve his friendship with his childhood friend, not quite ready to accept that as they grew older, they were slowly becoming different people with different interests - especially with who they were attracted to. 🥺 And it didn't help that the very boy he was trying so hard to help, was the very boy, he was slowly developing feelings for. I loved how much effort he put in to making Brian feel safe, how he never hesitated to make him comfortable, to come to his assistance, to show his support and make him feel welcome. I loved that we got to see both their POV's, because his growth was as powerfully poignant as Brian's and how their lives intertwined was portrayed very well.
“I looked up at the hazy night sky. I was a ten-minute drive from my house in the North End and an entire universe removed from my actual life.
“Ten minutes,” Sergeant States had said. “Five if that’s too hard.”
But at night in a strange house, every minute was its own infinity.”
I really enjoyed reading this; it was a lovely start to my Saturday morning, because I could not stop reading. The writing was wonderful - when you feel yourself so immersed in the story, when the character's pain becomes your pain, when their success becomes your victory, you know that it's a special read.💞💞 I also appreciated all the side characters and how much their caring and understanding presence in both Brian and Ezra's lives never felt forced or unnecessary. Friends come in all shapes and sizes, and support can come from the most unlikely places.
“Maybe he wouldn’t have wrestled with me if he knew the truth. Maybe he wouldn’t want to be friends at all. It wasn’t fair how something that felt so good could be confusing and scary too. What a rotten combo meal.”
Chad Lucas wrote with such a gentle but firm understanding, that still spoke with humor and heart to all the scenes - even the emotional ones. There was a genuine feel to the characters' dialogues and interactions that made it so very relatable and believable. He touched upon some very serious issues with such a kind and gentle approach that made it seem almost as if it was a story he had been witness to and he wanted to share it with the rest of us. 🫶🏼🫶🏼
“No man ever steps in the same river twice. It means life keeps moving and nothing is forever.”
Thanks a Lot, Universe is a beautiful example of why I still read Middle Grade books. It is a heart-felt honest and emotional portrayal of how life-long friendships can change as we enter the first stages of our teen years, the importance of being kind to one another, and the gentle way in how we can learn to deal with family trauma, which we may have never expected. 😞
“I was stuck in a broken universe where even good people got it wrong.”
When Brian's mother said to him “I bet thirteen’s going to be great. The universe owes you a good year,” a day before his thirteenth birthday, he didn't know just how much of this statement wouldn't ring true. And it hurt to see what happened - I felt so bad for him - how he had to become the adult, years before his time. 😟 Brian is a sweet, but anxiety-ridden boy, who within the span of seconds, his world abruptly imploded on him. I can't even say how unfair it was for what his parents made him go through, because, how can any child ever hold their parents accountable for their actions, especially when we love them so much. 😔
“The people who love us the most are usually the people who mess us up the most too.”
My heart ached for just how much he had to endure afterwards - how he had to put up a brave and strong front for his younger brother - for having to not only his keep his own anxiety in check, but then to be at the mercy of the foster care system, stand up to his own troubles with school bullies. 😢 I actually admired how much he let go of his inhibitions, how he finally let himself go - not as a rebel, but to finally realize that he did not have to be at the mercy of anyone. ❤️🩹❤️🩹 But, I loved how gently his friendship with Ezra began - right from the start, they were so honest and friendly and open with each other. As much as he wanted to be his friend, he never wanted to ask for anything more from him, even when Ezra confessed to him. 🥺
“There are people we hang around because it’s comfortable or convenient or safe, then there are our people.
When you find them, you’ll know the difference.”
Ezra was a precious soul with the kindest heart - and it hurt my heart at how much he tried to preserve his friendship with his childhood friend, not quite ready to accept that as they grew older, they were slowly becoming different people with different interests - especially with who they were attracted to. 🥺 And it didn't help that the very boy he was trying so hard to help, was the very boy, he was slowly developing feelings for. I loved how much effort he put in to making Brian feel safe, how he never hesitated to make him comfortable, to come to his assistance, to show his support and make him feel welcome. I loved that we got to see both their POV's, because his growth was as powerfully poignant as Brian's and how their lives intertwined was portrayed very well.
“I looked up at the hazy night sky. I was a ten-minute drive from my house in the North End and an entire universe removed from my actual life.
“Ten minutes,” Sergeant States had said. “Five if that’s too hard.”
But at night in a strange house, every minute was its own infinity.”
I really enjoyed reading this; it was a lovely start to my Saturday morning, because I could not stop reading. The writing was wonderful - when you feel yourself so immersed in the story, when the character's pain becomes your pain, when their success becomes your victory, you know that it's a special read.💞💞 I also appreciated all the side characters and how much their caring and understanding presence in both Brian and Ezra's lives never felt forced or unnecessary. Friends come in all shapes and sizes, and support can come from the most unlikely places.
“Maybe he wouldn’t have wrestled with me if he knew the truth. Maybe he wouldn’t want to be friends at all. It wasn’t fair how something that felt so good could be confusing and scary too. What a rotten combo meal.”
Chad Lucas wrote with such a gentle but firm understanding, that still spoke with humor and heart to all the scenes - even the emotional ones. There was a genuine feel to the characters' dialogues and interactions that made it so very relatable and believable. He touched upon some very serious issues with such a kind and gentle approach that made it seem almost as if it was a story he had been witness to and he wanted to share it with the rest of us. 🫶🏼🫶🏼
Read
July 16, 2025Brian’s world implodes on his birthday: his parents are gone, he and his brother are in a foster home, and everything is too much for the newly minted 13-year-old to handle. His lifeline is Ezra, the closest person he has to friend. On the other side, Ezra has his own troubles. All his friends are growing up and one of them seems to be straying away. He wants everyone to stay the same and worries that his friends won’t accept something that he just discovered about himself.
This middle grade novel balances realistic problems and the characters’ humorous voices. It models several difficult discussions that tweens might encounter, but the author’s light hand keeps the book from feeling preachy. Above all, I loved the idea of community and “finding your people”. This isn’t a two-boy-vs-the-world story. Instead, Brian and Ezra realize the importance of human connection and begin reaching out and back to those around them, which leads to an uplifting conclusion where everything might not be perfect, but you feel hopeful that the two main characters will be all right. -Dominique
This middle grade novel balances realistic problems and the characters’ humorous voices. It models several difficult discussions that tweens might encounter, but the author’s light hand keeps the book from feeling preachy. Above all, I loved the idea of community and “finding your people”. This isn’t a two-boy-vs-the-world story. Instead, Brian and Ezra realize the importance of human connection and begin reaching out and back to those around them, which leads to an uplifting conclusion where everything might not be perfect, but you feel hopeful that the two main characters will be all right. -Dominique
May 19, 2021
De vez em quando eu paro para ler livros com crianças e acabo tendo experiências tocantes com protagonistas mirins 😭 Ano passado li King and the Dragonflies de kacen Callender e fiquei pensando na história por semanas depois de ler, acho que farei o mesmo com Thanks a Lot, Universe. Foi sem dúvidas um livro tocante com dois garotos de 13 anos, Brian tem sua vida revirada quando o pai foge e a mãe tenta se matar. Sendo um garoto tímido ao extremo, a única preocupação de Brian era se ele conseguiria convidar Ezra para seu aniversário como qualquer garoto normal. Ele queria ter amigos e ser mais social, mas no dia do seu aniversário.. Sua vida vira um inferno com seu pai fugindo e sua mãe indo parar no hospital. A partir desse dia Brian vai passar por coisas dolorosas que nenhum garoto de 13 anos deveria enfrentar 😭 Por outro lado temos o Ezra que tem uma boa família e muitos amigos, mas ele está passando por uma descoberta que é a sua sexualidade, não é fácil um garoto de 13 anos viver com o peso de esconder sua sexualidade. Brian é Ezra se aproximam mais diante de suas adversidades e forma uma amizade muito bonitinha 😚 Tudo nessa história me deixou emocionada, o momento que Ezra se assume foi muito tocante, é difícil para adultos, imagina para crianças. Estou emocionada com o livro, queria que tivesse uma parte 2 mostrando eles mais velhos e talvez um romance entre Ezra e Brian kkkkkk Seria interessante 😄
July 9, 2021
4 stars!
I received an eARC of this book via netgalley and Abrams Kids. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Before I get into the review, I would just like to mention how absolutely stunning the cover is. Just look at this beauty!
First let's talk about the plot. It seemed like an average middle school coming of age. You've got the bullies, the awkward and quiet kid, and that one parent who loves sports. With that said, I'm happy to report that the plot was executed in a very intriguing and unique fashion. It tackled issues that I haven't encountered all that much in other middle grade novels. My only complaint is that I feel as though the synopsis made me assume that Brian and Ezra would help each other out more than they actually did. Fortunately though, it was something pretty easy to overlook.
The main characters, thirteen year old Brian and Ezra, where so lovable! They were such interesting characters! Brian is socially awkward and has a hard time talking to the 'popular kids.' When I was their age, I could totally relate! Ezra was such a cool character! He loves old music, told hilarious jokes, and had great fashion sense! The only thing I found to be a little infuriating was when Brian talked so much about having trouble speaking to people, but then a couple pages later he swears at a teacher. I felt as though he went from zero to a hundred a bit too quickly. His parents also talked about how he was such a responsible kid, even though some of his actions in the book were rather questionable. Then again, I can only imagine how hard it is to be in the foster care system. My heart goes out to all of the children in these systems. Overall, our main characters are put into such heartbreaking situations that I was happy to see represented in a middle grade novel.
The side characters where also very diverse and intriguing. Thanks A Lot, Universe gave adults diverse narratives, and it really worked well in the story. It was also interesting to see Ezra lose touch with his supposed best friend. Friendship was widely explored throughout the book, and I absolutely adored that aspect of it! Moreover, I liked how although there are a lot of side characters, each character plays a significant role in Brian's life. Whether it be positive, negative, or neutral. My only complaint is that the police officer associated with Brian wasn't talked about that much, and we never really got to know his true intentions.
Furthermore, the dialogue was a lovely mix of lighthearted and serious. Brian's conversations with his dad, Katie, and the police officer, seemed rather mysterious. While the conversations he had with Gabe, Brittany, his teacher, and Ezra, seemed more lighthearted. In addition, it was interesting to see how Brian explained their family situation to his little brother. Overall, the dialogue in Thanks A Lot, Universe was superb!
Unfortunately, the writing style felt repetitive at times, which was a bit of a turn off. At certain times in the story, the pacing escalated and de-escalated very quickly. For example, sometimes Brian's mindset would change from I-am-so-shy-and-responsible to edgy-bad-boy-has-been-unlocked in almost an instant. However, I love when books have no swearing in them, so I'm so glad Thanks A Lot, Universe didn't have any! There's just something so refreshing about books like this one. I also liked how there wasn't necessary any romance. The main characters aren't even fourteen yet, so it makes sense for there not be any romance. One aspect of the book that I really enjoyed reading about was the setting! It takes place in (I believe) Nova Scotia, which is a maritime province in Canada. It was very fascinating to read about a place I've never been to before.
The overall enjoyment level was very high. The plot was gripping, the characters are intriguing, and the story is fast paced. Must I say more?
---Overall----
Age Rating: 11 and up
TW: bullying, displacement of homes, running away, some violence
Final Rating: 8/10 or 4 stars
PS: Happy Publishing Date to this lovely book!!
I received an eARC of this book via netgalley and Abrams Kids. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Before I get into the review, I would just like to mention how absolutely stunning the cover is. Just look at this beauty!
First let's talk about the plot. It seemed like an average middle school coming of age. You've got the bullies, the awkward and quiet kid, and that one parent who loves sports. With that said, I'm happy to report that the plot was executed in a very intriguing and unique fashion. It tackled issues that I haven't encountered all that much in other middle grade novels. My only complaint is that I feel as though the synopsis made me assume that Brian and Ezra would help each other out more than they actually did. Fortunately though, it was something pretty easy to overlook.
The main characters, thirteen year old Brian and Ezra, where so lovable! They were such interesting characters! Brian is socially awkward and has a hard time talking to the 'popular kids.' When I was their age, I could totally relate! Ezra was such a cool character! He loves old music, told hilarious jokes, and had great fashion sense! The only thing I found to be a little infuriating was when Brian talked so much about having trouble speaking to people, but then a couple pages later he swears at a teacher. I felt as though he went from zero to a hundred a bit too quickly. His parents also talked about how he was such a responsible kid, even though some of his actions in the book were rather questionable. Then again, I can only imagine how hard it is to be in the foster care system. My heart goes out to all of the children in these systems. Overall, our main characters are put into such heartbreaking situations that I was happy to see represented in a middle grade novel.
The side characters where also very diverse and intriguing. Thanks A Lot, Universe gave adults diverse narratives, and it really worked well in the story. It was also interesting to see Ezra lose touch with his supposed best friend. Friendship was widely explored throughout the book, and I absolutely adored that aspect of it! Moreover, I liked how although there are a lot of side characters, each character plays a significant role in Brian's life. Whether it be positive, negative, or neutral. My only complaint is that the police officer associated with Brian wasn't talked about that much, and we never really got to know his true intentions.
Furthermore, the dialogue was a lovely mix of lighthearted and serious. Brian's conversations with his dad, Katie, and the police officer, seemed rather mysterious. While the conversations he had with Gabe, Brittany, his teacher, and Ezra, seemed more lighthearted. In addition, it was interesting to see how Brian explained their family situation to his little brother. Overall, the dialogue in Thanks A Lot, Universe was superb!
Unfortunately, the writing style felt repetitive at times, which was a bit of a turn off. At certain times in the story, the pacing escalated and de-escalated very quickly. For example, sometimes Brian's mindset would change from I-am-so-shy-and-responsible to edgy-bad-boy-has-been-unlocked in almost an instant. However, I love when books have no swearing in them, so I'm so glad Thanks A Lot, Universe didn't have any! There's just something so refreshing about books like this one. I also liked how there wasn't necessary any romance. The main characters aren't even fourteen yet, so it makes sense for there not be any romance. One aspect of the book that I really enjoyed reading about was the setting! It takes place in (I believe) Nova Scotia, which is a maritime province in Canada. It was very fascinating to read about a place I've never been to before.
The overall enjoyment level was very high. The plot was gripping, the characters are intriguing, and the story is fast paced. Must I say more?
---Overall----
Age Rating: 11 and up
TW: bullying, displacement of homes, running away, some violence
Final Rating: 8/10 or 4 stars
PS: Happy Publishing Date to this lovely book!!
May 22, 2021
A birthday. The Incident. A Boy Who Preferred Not to Leave His House. Me and Also Me, talking to each other. Kaboom! An explosion of fear.
Thanks A Lot Universe is a sweet middle grade with hard-hitting topics, almost YA-worthy. Brian is a sensitive and anxious boy who seems to have warm and loving parents, but when his dad runs off and his mom gets in hospital on the day he turns thirteen, things get rough, and Brian even starts getting anxiety attacks.
Catching the bus downtown in the middle of the day was no biggie for a normal junior high kid, but I was Captain Anxious of the order of SAWS, Boy Who Preferred Not to Leave His House.
Ezra is a ray of light. Popular, sweet, humorous, talkative. But when some of his friends start dating girls, and his best friend befriends a bully, he withdraws himself, beginning to realize that he likes boys and has a crush on Brian.
I liked how he clicked his coppery hair out of his eyes... I liked how his whole face lit up when I made him laugh... I liked daydreaming that one day I’d know the secret world inside his head.
The writing was so captivating, one moment serious, the other moment full of ridiculous jokes, the humor thirteen-year-olds can have. I loved Brian and Ezra, the way their friendship developed, the way they grew, two boys opening up to each other. I also liked Gabe a lot, going through so much and being such a great help to Brian and Ezra.
A wonderful MG book, and I long to read more by Chad Lucas.
Thanks A Lot Universe is a sweet middle grade with hard-hitting topics, almost YA-worthy. Brian is a sensitive and anxious boy who seems to have warm and loving parents, but when his dad runs off and his mom gets in hospital on the day he turns thirteen, things get rough, and Brian even starts getting anxiety attacks.
Catching the bus downtown in the middle of the day was no biggie for a normal junior high kid, but I was Captain Anxious of the order of SAWS, Boy Who Preferred Not to Leave His House.
Ezra is a ray of light. Popular, sweet, humorous, talkative. But when some of his friends start dating girls, and his best friend befriends a bully, he withdraws himself, beginning to realize that he likes boys and has a crush on Brian.
I liked how he clicked his coppery hair out of his eyes... I liked how his whole face lit up when I made him laugh... I liked daydreaming that one day I’d know the secret world inside his head.
The writing was so captivating, one moment serious, the other moment full of ridiculous jokes, the humor thirteen-year-olds can have. I loved Brian and Ezra, the way their friendship developed, the way they grew, two boys opening up to each other. I also liked Gabe a lot, going through so much and being such a great help to Brian and Ezra.
A wonderful MG book, and I long to read more by Chad Lucas.
October 12, 2020
*ARC from Netgalley*
This book was a delight. Both light and heavy, this packed a little bit of everything and, while dark at times with difficult topics, it manages not to be too much on other stuff, like there was little to no homophobia and the bullying was tackled well, in my opinion.
Brian has the worst birthday ever and it's the start of so many things that can go wrong, and will actually go wrong. Poor boy, I wanted to hug him so badly. He went through so much, and he didn't deserve any of it. Brian suffers from social anxiety, a severe one, and he everything that happens isn't helping. I liked that, even if it took long, he got a real friend in Ezra.
Ezra, a ray of sunshine. He is outgoing, makes lots of jokes and has a crush on Brian. I loved how we see different kinds of 13 yo boys. Not all of them mature at the same time. Some already have girlfriends/boyfriends, some aren't interested yet, and some, like Ezra, are finally coming to terms with that they suspected and with it, they're finding out more about themselves.
I loved this book, I really did. The writing was great, I couldn't stop reading. It made me laugh so many times, out loud, I scared my cat. And the sad parts made me teary eye. Yeah, let boys and men be sensitive and cry. I loved it.
Highly recommended!
This book was a delight. Both light and heavy, this packed a little bit of everything and, while dark at times with difficult topics, it manages not to be too much on other stuff, like there was little to no homophobia and the bullying was tackled well, in my opinion.
Brian has the worst birthday ever and it's the start of so many things that can go wrong, and will actually go wrong. Poor boy, I wanted to hug him so badly. He went through so much, and he didn't deserve any of it. Brian suffers from social anxiety, a severe one, and he everything that happens isn't helping. I liked that, even if it took long, he got a real friend in Ezra.
Ezra, a ray of sunshine. He is outgoing, makes lots of jokes and has a crush on Brian. I loved how we see different kinds of 13 yo boys. Not all of them mature at the same time. Some already have girlfriends/boyfriends, some aren't interested yet, and some, like Ezra, are finally coming to terms with that they suspected and with it, they're finding out more about themselves.
I loved this book, I really did. The writing was great, I couldn't stop reading. It made me laugh so many times, out loud, I scared my cat. And the sad parts made me teary eye. Yeah, let boys and men be sensitive and cry. I loved it.
Highly recommended!
October 8, 2021
rep: mc with social anxiety, biracial (Trinidadian, Polish) American gay mc, Black side characters, Indian American side character, side character with depression
tw: suicide attempt, panic attacks
middle grade books sure do make you Feel Things
tw: suicide attempt, panic attacks
middle grade books sure do make you Feel Things
January 26, 2023
Few things grab hold of my heart the way an excellent Middle Grade novel does. Thanks a Lot, Universe follows Brian as he’s experiencing a lot of anxiety after a family crisis causes him and his brother to have to move in with a foster family. At the same time, Ezra is realizing that one of his best friends might not actually be a super good person. Ezra wants to reach out to help Brian, but he’s worried that people might realize that he has a crush on him.
I loved this book! Seeing Brian express his fears about what’s going on in his family and figure out what he needs in order to feel safe was so great. Of course he doesn’t always go about it in the most safe or healthy manner, but throughout the book he finds people who will support him and listen to him. I loved seeing Ezra’s attempts to become closer friends with Brian and stick up for him. Also, Ezra’s journey with his sexuality and opening up to people was so pure.
This book does touch on some more serious topics, like panic attacks, bullying, racism, and attempted suicide, but I felt like it was all handled with care and approached in a way that made sense for a Middle Grade audience. Definitely give this one a try if it sounds good to you.
I loved this book! Seeing Brian express his fears about what’s going on in his family and figure out what he needs in order to feel safe was so great. Of course he doesn’t always go about it in the most safe or healthy manner, but throughout the book he finds people who will support him and listen to him. I loved seeing Ezra’s attempts to become closer friends with Brian and stick up for him. Also, Ezra’s journey with his sexuality and opening up to people was so pure.
This book does touch on some more serious topics, like panic attacks, bullying, racism, and attempted suicide, but I felt like it was all handled with care and approached in a way that made sense for a Middle Grade audience. Definitely give this one a try if it sounds good to you.
November 14, 2021
3.5/5 Stars
I would have definitely enjoyed this more if I read this when I was younger, but overall it was a solid read.
Brian life is turned upside town on his 13th birthday and he has to go through a lot in such a short period of time. I believe everything was described in a quite realistic way and I appreciated his journey through the whole book. Ezra has his own journey as well and I truly liked how the theme of friendship was approached in his storyline.
If you're looking for a middle-grade book, this is definitely a good one!
I would have definitely enjoyed this more if I read this when I was younger, but overall it was a solid read.
Brian life is turned upside town on his 13th birthday and he has to go through a lot in such a short period of time. I believe everything was described in a quite realistic way and I appreciated his journey through the whole book. Ezra has his own journey as well and I truly liked how the theme of friendship was approached in his storyline.
If you're looking for a middle-grade book, this is definitely a good one!
April 22, 2022
I've been batting a thousand with queer middle grade lately and this was no exception. Great exploration of anxiety, grief, sexuality, and toxic friendships with adorable healthy friendships at the core.
August 15, 2022
CW: panic attacks, attempted suicide
Reread August 2022 via audio. Rating upgraded to 5 stars!
Gah, I love this book! I don’t even understand how a book can tackle so many heavy topics and still feel lovely and heartwarming? Also, chapter 30 is the best.
And now I’m off to discuss the book with my teen book club AND the author! 😃
______
…and that is how you read a book in one sitting.
I really enjoyed this! I’ve known about it since it came out this spring, but only just realized 2 days ago that the author is local and it’s set in Halifax, which is an hour from where I live. And I so enjoy reading books set in places that I know well; being able to picture the library (I was there a couple weeks ago!) and the neighbourhood where Ezra lives (if I were to live in the HRM it would be in that neighbourhood, I love it).
While this is a middle grade book, it dealt with quite a lot of heavy topics. Brian, one of the MCs is dealing with a lot of mental health stuff, both personally and with his mom. His dad is also having trouble with the law, which leads to him having to abruptly leave town (this happens at the beginning of the book). While the majority of the story revolves around Brian and what’s going on in his life, it is dual POV and the other MC, Ezra, is just the sweetest.
Without spoiling the whole book, I just want to say that I like how the book ended, I love how Brian and Ezra’s friendship developed, I loved that it was a story about friends and that real friends will accept you no matter what.
Reread August 2022 via audio. Rating upgraded to 5 stars!
Gah, I love this book! I don’t even understand how a book can tackle so many heavy topics and still feel lovely and heartwarming? Also, chapter 30 is the best.
And now I’m off to discuss the book with my teen book club AND the author! 😃
______
…and that is how you read a book in one sitting.
I really enjoyed this! I’ve known about it since it came out this spring, but only just realized 2 days ago that the author is local and it’s set in Halifax, which is an hour from where I live. And I so enjoy reading books set in places that I know well; being able to picture the library (I was there a couple weeks ago!) and the neighbourhood where Ezra lives (if I were to live in the HRM it would be in that neighbourhood, I love it).
While this is a middle grade book, it dealt with quite a lot of heavy topics. Brian, one of the MCs is dealing with a lot of mental health stuff, both personally and with his mom. His dad is also having trouble with the law, which leads to him having to abruptly leave town (this happens at the beginning of the book). While the majority of the story revolves around Brian and what’s going on in his life, it is dual POV and the other MC, Ezra, is just the sweetest.
Without spoiling the whole book, I just want to say that I like how the book ended, I love how Brian and Ezra’s friendship developed, I loved that it was a story about friends and that real friends will accept you no matter what.
May 22, 2023
Fast, positive book aimed directly at the MC's middle-grade age of 13. Teachers, parents, friends, classmates, racial-mixes, siblings, a couple high school kids - show all angles of eventual acceptance here. This is an optimistic book, with fairly realistic characters. It got a little too cozy with the ending, but this kind of positivity is what is needed to help support the gay boys reading/marketed-for this book.
Brian has a rough life, as his Dad is doing some small-time criminal stuff that has him hiding/running. Brian's mom needs medication. This combo causes turmoil quickly in this story. Having a little 9 year old brother complicates it more. Now add the anxiety of 7th grade. I like how this tension played out in this well-paced book.
Thankfully, Brian's classmate Ezra gets dragged in to help. Ezra is a bench-player (like Brian) on the basketball team. He didn't know Brian very well as the story started, but this advanced very positively as this book unfolded. Nothing beyond simple hand-holding in this story, so very appropriate (non controversial) for libraries.
4.5 for this well-read audiobook.
Brian has a rough life, as his Dad is doing some small-time criminal stuff that has him hiding/running. Brian's mom needs medication. This combo causes turmoil quickly in this story. Having a little 9 year old brother complicates it more. Now add the anxiety of 7th grade. I like how this tension played out in this well-paced book.
Thankfully, Brian's classmate Ezra gets dragged in to help. Ezra is a bench-player (like Brian) on the basketball team. He didn't know Brian very well as the story started, but this advanced very positively as this book unfolded. Nothing beyond simple hand-holding in this story, so very appropriate (non controversial) for libraries.
4.5 for this well-read audiobook.
August 17, 2021
I picked this book up because I was drawn to the cover! I mean - LOOK AT IT!! HOW PERFECT!!
And I am so happy to let you know that the same can be said about this book as well!
Told in dual first-person point-of-view, Thanks a Lot, Universe is a middle-grade book that deals with several hard-hitting themes with a lot of sensitivity and care.
Brian on his 13th birthday finds out that his dad is on the run and his mom is admitted to the hospital. This leaves him and his younger 8-year-old brother on their own to navigate several hurdles that life throws at them.
On the other side, we have Ezra who is a popular basketball-loving boy at Brian's school who finds himself being best friends with a bully. When his friends talking/dating girls, he realises that he finds himself being attracted to boys, especially, Brian.
The writing was so engaging and absolutely captivating. It was interesting to see a beautiful contrast between Brian's chapters being darker and difficult whereas Ezra's were fun and easier. This created a unique balance which I feel would be such a brilliant thing to experience for younger audiences, to which this book is essentially aimed at.
I also loved the exploration of emotions and how Lucas was able to focus on young boys dealing with their emotions, which all arent always necessarily, happy. The mental health representation for anxiety and panic was also brilliantly taken care of.
There are a bunch of sides and minor characters and I for one don't enjoy books with too many people unless it's a fantasy, but here, the case was slightly different. I can distinctly recall each of the characters, no matter how minor and that again is a testament to writing in itself. Lucas was able to create characters that are all very three dimensional and even though their roles might be small, they are still important to the story.
My favourite character is neither Ezra nor Brian, but Richie. Much like most kids, he is extremely curious, chatty and full of life. He has the best dialogues and is probably the most CUTEST and ADORABLE of them all. I was so happy to learn from Lucas when I was in conversation with him that he loves Richie just as much as I do and he potentially may consider doing a book from his POV set in the same world. You can watch this conversation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8wPu...
I also quickly wanted to mention how beautiful and loving this whole book was. I absolutely loved how it focuses on the father-son duo and brings to life a beautiful yet complicated relationship at the centre.
Please read this book! Please gift it to your children or buy it for a child who you may know! They would LOVE this a lot!
And I am so happy to let you know that the same can be said about this book as well!
Told in dual first-person point-of-view, Thanks a Lot, Universe is a middle-grade book that deals with several hard-hitting themes with a lot of sensitivity and care.
Brian on his 13th birthday finds out that his dad is on the run and his mom is admitted to the hospital. This leaves him and his younger 8-year-old brother on their own to navigate several hurdles that life throws at them.
On the other side, we have Ezra who is a popular basketball-loving boy at Brian's school who finds himself being best friends with a bully. When his friends talking/dating girls, he realises that he finds himself being attracted to boys, especially, Brian.
The writing was so engaging and absolutely captivating. It was interesting to see a beautiful contrast between Brian's chapters being darker and difficult whereas Ezra's were fun and easier. This created a unique balance which I feel would be such a brilliant thing to experience for younger audiences, to which this book is essentially aimed at.
I also loved the exploration of emotions and how Lucas was able to focus on young boys dealing with their emotions, which all arent always necessarily, happy. The mental health representation for anxiety and panic was also brilliantly taken care of.
There are a bunch of sides and minor characters and I for one don't enjoy books with too many people unless it's a fantasy, but here, the case was slightly different. I can distinctly recall each of the characters, no matter how minor and that again is a testament to writing in itself. Lucas was able to create characters that are all very three dimensional and even though their roles might be small, they are still important to the story.
My favourite character is neither Ezra nor Brian, but Richie. Much like most kids, he is extremely curious, chatty and full of life. He has the best dialogues and is probably the most CUTEST and ADORABLE of them all. I was so happy to learn from Lucas when I was in conversation with him that he loves Richie just as much as I do and he potentially may consider doing a book from his POV set in the same world. You can watch this conversation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8wPu...
I also quickly wanted to mention how beautiful and loving this whole book was. I absolutely loved how it focuses on the father-son duo and brings to life a beautiful yet complicated relationship at the centre.
Please read this book! Please gift it to your children or buy it for a child who you may know! They would LOVE this a lot!
June 18, 2021
Rep: mc with social anxiety, Trinidadian Polish American gay mc, Black side characters, Indian American side character, side character with depression
CWs: suicide attempt, panic attacks
CWs: suicide attempt, panic attacks
November 4, 2023
I love middle grade books so much. This one is both soft and sweet and also really hard hitting. You start the book with one of the main characters Brian who is about to turn 13. His birthday is the next day and he is chronically anxious and doesn't have anyone who he really can talk to. The day of his birthday some big bad things happen and he and his little brother end up in foster care. Brian starts to try and navigate what is going on and how he is supposed to survive all of this.
Then we have Ezra. Ezra has a group of friends he thinks will be around forever and his life's pretty good. But when he starts to realize that not all of his friends seem to be growing and changing in a positive way. Ezra's focus for this book is finding true friends and accepting and understanding his own identity.
Ezra and Brian find each other and start this tentative friendship and I loved watching all of it. I really am looking forward to the sequel.
This book has a lot of big themes but the anxiety rep is amazing and I highly recommend it.
One of my favorite parts of this book was actually Brian and Gabe and all of their discussions and talks and working through panic attacks etc.
I really enjoyed this book doesn't really have a romance. It's about preteen boys okay and they're feeling their feelings. There is queer representation and there's questioning queer representation as well.
CW: secondary character's suicide attempt, panic attacks, anxiety, parent in turmoil, foster care, homophobia, racism
Gay Biracial MC (Polish and Trini), questioning white MC with anxiety, set in Canada
Then we have Ezra. Ezra has a group of friends he thinks will be around forever and his life's pretty good. But when he starts to realize that not all of his friends seem to be growing and changing in a positive way. Ezra's focus for this book is finding true friends and accepting and understanding his own identity.
Ezra and Brian find each other and start this tentative friendship and I loved watching all of it. I really am looking forward to the sequel.
This book has a lot of big themes but the anxiety rep is amazing and I highly recommend it.
One of my favorite parts of this book was actually Brian and Gabe and all of their discussions and talks and working through panic attacks etc.
I really enjoyed this book doesn't really have a romance. It's about preteen boys okay and they're feeling their feelings. There is queer representation and there's questioning queer representation as well.
CW: secondary character's suicide attempt, panic attacks, anxiety, parent in turmoil, foster care, homophobia, racism
Gay Biracial MC (Polish and Trini), questioning white MC with anxiety, set in Canada
April 5, 2021
3.5 stars
Thanks to Chad Lucas, Amulet Books and Netgalley for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Ezra and Brian play together (well, mostly bench) on the school basketball team. Brian is socially anxious and constantly worries what other people think of him. Ezra is wondering why his friend, Colby, is drifting away from the friendship group and also starts to worry about Brian.
Brian's dad goes on the run after the police discover his drug business and his mum takes an overdose when he does so. Brian and his younger brother end up in foster care and Brian's anxiety goes through the roof. Luckily, Ezra is there to help him too.
This was a super cute story! I loved the character development, especially that of Brian, and the supportive network around each of the characters. I also enjoyed the big issues tackled by Lucas in this book. He normalised them and had the characters talk them out which I'm sure will be beneficial to any young readers who are also facing these issues.
Whilst this was a lovely story, it didn't have that 'spark' for me, which is why it didn't quite reach 4 stars for me.
Thanks to Chad Lucas, Amulet Books and Netgalley for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Ezra and Brian play together (well, mostly bench) on the school basketball team. Brian is socially anxious and constantly worries what other people think of him. Ezra is wondering why his friend, Colby, is drifting away from the friendship group and also starts to worry about Brian.
Brian's dad goes on the run after the police discover his drug business and his mum takes an overdose when he does so. Brian and his younger brother end up in foster care and Brian's anxiety goes through the roof. Luckily, Ezra is there to help him too.
This was a super cute story! I loved the character development, especially that of Brian, and the supportive network around each of the characters. I also enjoyed the big issues tackled by Lucas in this book. He normalised them and had the characters talk them out which I'm sure will be beneficial to any young readers who are also facing these issues.
Whilst this was a lovely story, it didn't have that 'spark' for me, which is why it didn't quite reach 4 stars for me.
July 1, 2022
3.5⭐️
“𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐰𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐈’𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞.” —Ezra
Yo había dejado atrás los middle graders, libros dirigidos a un público más joven, pero este libro me sorprendió de la mejor manera, fue precioso.
Disfruté mucho leer a Ezra y Brian, individualmente brillaron en la historia, me hicieron querer protegerlos y abrazarlos🥺. Espero que en la vida real los niños y personas que se lograron identificar con ellos sean felices.
ESO SÍ, si esperan “romance” en este libro, se van a encontrar un poco decepcionados, el libro va más allá de ello.
❌Cosas que no me gustaron:
—Hubieron situaciones muy irreales, sobre todo relacionados a los papás de Brian, y también cuando Brian y Richie huyen quedé 🤡 por lo ridículo de la situación.
—El ritmo con el que avanzaba la historia fue muy rápido.
✅Cosas que me gustaron
—La forma en la que el autor plasmó la ansiedad social, el descubrimiento de tu orientación sexual y el miedo al rechazo.
—Diversidad de razas y multiculturalidad
—Representación LGBTQ+🏳️🌈
⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️POSIBLE SPOILER⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️
LA ESCENA EN LA QUE EZRA SALE DEL CLOSET CON SUS AMIGOS ME DEJÓ EN LÁGRIMAS POR LO ORGULLOSA QUE ESTABA DE ÉL Y TAMBIEN POR LO MUCHO QUE ME DOLIÓ VER LO ASUSTADO QUE ESTABA 😭😭😭
“𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐰𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐈’𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞.” —Ezra
Yo había dejado atrás los middle graders, libros dirigidos a un público más joven, pero este libro me sorprendió de la mejor manera, fue precioso.
Disfruté mucho leer a Ezra y Brian, individualmente brillaron en la historia, me hicieron querer protegerlos y abrazarlos🥺. Espero que en la vida real los niños y personas que se lograron identificar con ellos sean felices.
ESO SÍ, si esperan “romance” en este libro, se van a encontrar un poco decepcionados, el libro va más allá de ello.
❌Cosas que no me gustaron:
—Hubieron situaciones muy irreales, sobre todo relacionados a los papás de Brian, y también cuando Brian y Richie huyen quedé 🤡 por lo ridículo de la situación.
—El ritmo con el que avanzaba la historia fue muy rápido.
✅Cosas que me gustaron
—La forma en la que el autor plasmó la ansiedad social, el descubrimiento de tu orientación sexual y el miedo al rechazo.
—Diversidad de razas y multiculturalidad
—Representación LGBTQ+🏳️🌈
⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️POSIBLE SPOILER⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️
LA ESCENA EN LA QUE EZRA SALE DEL CLOSET CON SUS AMIGOS ME DEJÓ EN LÁGRIMAS POR LO ORGULLOSA QUE ESTABA DE ÉL Y TAMBIEN POR LO MUCHO QUE ME DOLIÓ VER LO ASUSTADO QUE ESTABA 😭😭😭
August 31, 2021
Wow. I loved this book.
I could see this becoming a staple of middle-grade fiction. It's an incredibly sincere, thoughtful and important story about two seventh grade boys going through very huge periods of change in their lives.
It tackles mental health, family conflict, bullying, race, sexuality, friendship and the value of structural systems that support young people.
Definitely check this one if you get the chance. A great chance to support some amazing Canadian lit.
I could see this becoming a staple of middle-grade fiction. It's an incredibly sincere, thoughtful and important story about two seventh grade boys going through very huge periods of change in their lives.
It tackles mental health, family conflict, bullying, race, sexuality, friendship and the value of structural systems that support young people.
Definitely check this one if you get the chance. A great chance to support some amazing Canadian lit.
June 24, 2022
Thanks a Lot, Universe made me feel so many freaking emotions. Wasn't expecting them at all but so happy that I dove into this.
June 17, 2021
4.5 stars. I’m a sucker for books about real emotions in middle school, especially when it’s boys learning to express sadness and angst, while also figuring out tough life challenges. Gabe and Brittany were my favorite side characters. I love their mentorship and the positive portrayal of teenagers with emotions, especially Gabe.
I also really loved Chad Lucas’ writing style, and felt comforted the entire time I read this book. Books with 2 POVs can be difficult sometimes, but he makes the shifts seamless, while still firmly defining his characters’ personalities. In his acknowledgments he cites Gordon Korman as an influence, and honestly, I loved reading this as much as any Korman book I’ve read.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC. I’ve written this review 4 times already (but Goodreads keeps deleting it) so while the first 3 reviews were so much better, this one should really just say “GO READ THIS BOOK” and that I’ll definitely be purchasing it for my school library collection.
I also really loved Chad Lucas’ writing style, and felt comforted the entire time I read this book. Books with 2 POVs can be difficult sometimes, but he makes the shifts seamless, while still firmly defining his characters’ personalities. In his acknowledgments he cites Gordon Korman as an influence, and honestly, I loved reading this as much as any Korman book I’ve read.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC. I’ve written this review 4 times already (but Goodreads keeps deleting it) so while the first 3 reviews were so much better, this one should really just say “GO READ THIS BOOK” and that I’ll definitely be purchasing it for my school library collection.
December 5, 2022
A perfect example of why I still love middle grade books.
June 8, 2022
3.5 stars 🌟 overall
Narration: 4 stars 🌟
---
*Overdrive app *
Nicely done story, with an ending that wasn't wrapped all tidy and neat.
I liked how everything was handled with the mental health aspects of the story. Some kf the reactions had me frustrated but I've experienced those myself too so...
Wanted to smack some teen boy attitudes though haha. Ty and Kevin grew on me though by the end.
Brian and Ezra's developing friendship was sweet to watch:).
It warmed my heart too to see Brian's world slowly expanding and him finding his tribe, so to speak. I understand the feeling too of people telling you you're strong but not feeling or seeing it yourself.
Would recommend 👌
Narration: 4 stars 🌟
---
*Overdrive app *
Nicely done story, with an ending that wasn't wrapped all tidy and neat.
I liked how everything was handled with the mental health aspects of the story. Some kf the reactions had me frustrated but I've experienced those myself too so...
Wanted to smack some teen boy attitudes though haha. Ty and Kevin grew on me though by the end.
Brian and Ezra's developing friendship was sweet to watch:).
It warmed my heart too to see Brian's world slowly expanding and him finding his tribe, so to speak. I understand the feeling too of people telling you you're strong but not feeling or seeing it yourself.
Would recommend 👌
May 25, 2022
when brian is placed in foster care, his life, understandably, changes a lot. he starts having panic attacks and he’s living away from his parents.
ezra is a “popular kid” who’s friendly with everybody, brian included. the two are on the same basketball team and ezra realizes he has feelings for brian.
this was a unique story as it tackled so many different things despite being for younger audiences. i think middle grade novels like this are really important though since there are kids who go through some of these things and seeing that representation really helps!
the exploration of friendship was also so great in this, not only between brian and ezra but some of the side characters as well.
ezra is a “popular kid” who’s friendly with everybody, brian included. the two are on the same basketball team and ezra realizes he has feelings for brian.
this was a unique story as it tackled so many different things despite being for younger audiences. i think middle grade novels like this are really important though since there are kids who go through some of these things and seeing that representation really helps!
the exploration of friendship was also so great in this, not only between brian and ezra but some of the side characters as well.
December 1, 2020
Thanks to Edelweiss+ and the publisher for an eARC of this book.
This author's voice is one that is desperately needed in Canadian middle grade literature. There are so few books that deals with so many important topics, many from an ownvoices perspective, available for young readers by a Canadian author. But this story is one that middle graders will enjoy regardless of where they live, because the author just gets it. He gets that readers need to see male relationships that aren't full of toxic masculinity. He gets that those exploring their sexuality need to see support from their friends. He gets that biracial and Black kids need to see someone stand up to the joking comments about race. He gets that older male teens need to be seen as wonderful role models and understanding about mental health issues. He gets all of this, and so much more, and he writes those truths into this story.
This book is told from the dual perspectives of Brian and Ezra. Brian's home life becomes unstable when his dad takes off to avoid being arrested, and his mom overdoses on medication and is hospitalized. Without other family around, Brian and his brother, Richie, are put into the foster system, which is challenging for someone like Brian who has issues with social anxiety. Ezra is a basketball team-mate of Brian's, a boy whose friendships are starting to change, and who is changing himself as he gets to know Brian and realizes he has feelings for him. As the boys start to trust each other with their stories and their vulnerabilities, their friendship becomes something dependable even as the world around them is in flux.
What I loved most about this story is the wide range of male representation; this is not a story where the characters play stereotypical male roles. Gabe, the older teen, is perhaps my favorite character because of how sensitively and supportively he supported Brian during his panic attacks. Brian is handling the responsibility for his younger brother, the absence of his parents, living with foster parents, social anxiety, and is barely juggling it all. Ezra is struggling with his feelings for Brian and coming out to his friends, as well as his changing friendship with his best buddy. The cast of supporting friends provide even more male perspectives with different levels of popularity, cultures, and responses to events. It's been a long time since I read a story that so sensitively and honestly looked at male friendships from so many viewpoints.
Although there is a lot going on in this story, I didn't feel overwhelmed by the number of different topics it addressed. I could put this book into the hands of many readers, for many different reasons, but I recently heard some excellent advice that said simply hand a book you love to a young reader and say "I loved this book, maybe you will, too", and let their take their own meaning from the story.
Recommended: Gr. 5-7
This author's voice is one that is desperately needed in Canadian middle grade literature. There are so few books that deals with so many important topics, many from an ownvoices perspective, available for young readers by a Canadian author. But this story is one that middle graders will enjoy regardless of where they live, because the author just gets it. He gets that readers need to see male relationships that aren't full of toxic masculinity. He gets that those exploring their sexuality need to see support from their friends. He gets that biracial and Black kids need to see someone stand up to the joking comments about race. He gets that older male teens need to be seen as wonderful role models and understanding about mental health issues. He gets all of this, and so much more, and he writes those truths into this story.
This book is told from the dual perspectives of Brian and Ezra. Brian's home life becomes unstable when his dad takes off to avoid being arrested, and his mom overdoses on medication and is hospitalized. Without other family around, Brian and his brother, Richie, are put into the foster system, which is challenging for someone like Brian who has issues with social anxiety. Ezra is a basketball team-mate of Brian's, a boy whose friendships are starting to change, and who is changing himself as he gets to know Brian and realizes he has feelings for him. As the boys start to trust each other with their stories and their vulnerabilities, their friendship becomes something dependable even as the world around them is in flux.
What I loved most about this story is the wide range of male representation; this is not a story where the characters play stereotypical male roles. Gabe, the older teen, is perhaps my favorite character because of how sensitively and supportively he supported Brian during his panic attacks. Brian is handling the responsibility for his younger brother, the absence of his parents, living with foster parents, social anxiety, and is barely juggling it all. Ezra is struggling with his feelings for Brian and coming out to his friends, as well as his changing friendship with his best buddy. The cast of supporting friends provide even more male perspectives with different levels of popularity, cultures, and responses to events. It's been a long time since I read a story that so sensitively and honestly looked at male friendships from so many viewpoints.
Although there is a lot going on in this story, I didn't feel overwhelmed by the number of different topics it addressed. I could put this book into the hands of many readers, for many different reasons, but I recently heard some excellent advice that said simply hand a book you love to a young reader and say "I loved this book, maybe you will, too", and let their take their own meaning from the story.
Recommended: Gr. 5-7
December 30, 2020
Thank you so much NetGalley, ABRAMS Kids and Amulet Books, for the chance to read and review this book!
TW: attempted suicide, panic attacks, depressions, bullism
Brian has always been anxious, he suffers from social anxiety or, like he likes to call it, the Super Awkward Weirdo Syndrome, SAWS. He struggles to talk, to make friends and he's always quiet and reserved.
One terrible day something happens that will turn his life upside down and he starts to have panic attacks, after he and his brother are placed in foster care.
Ezra is a popular kid, he's friends with most of the kids on his basketball team, with Brian too, who alway keeps to himself, but everything is changing in his usual group of friends. His best friend is hanging out with girls and with the school's bully and Ezra is afraid that everything will permanently change, most of all since he starts to realized to have feelings for Brian. When Brian and his brother run away, Ezra decides is time to do something and help him, changing both their lives for good.
Thanks a lot, Universe is a moving middle-grade debut and it's brilliant, intense and deals with so many important and delicate themes with sensitivity and care. Told by Brian's and Ezra's POVs, the story follows the two boys struggling with growing up, school problems, changes, their lives weaving together, while they start to see one other and become more and more friends.
The author describes brilliantly Brian's social anxiety, his mom's mental illness and the struggles Brian and his brother have to face, while fighting against panic attacks, fears and the feelings of not belonging. Brian is a very relatable character, quiet, smart, reserved, struggling with his own problems, but forced, by life, to take care of his younger brother and worry about his family.
The school and the friend setting are, also, skillfully crafted, since it's clear both Brian, Ezra, Ty, Kevan and Colby are growing up and changing and the things will be different in the future.
The reader gets to know Brian's and Ezra's fears and insecurities, while they slowly find each other, helping, supporting and being there for one other.
The way the author talks about the importance of therapy and reaching out for help is really moving and I love this message so much. The importance of finding your own family, a found family of friends and supportive adults, to feel safe and be better, healing and fighting.
The story is moving, brilliantly written and I loved everything. It gave me hope that, even in the darkest of times, things can be better.
TW: attempted suicide, panic attacks, depressions, bullism
Brian has always been anxious, he suffers from social anxiety or, like he likes to call it, the Super Awkward Weirdo Syndrome, SAWS. He struggles to talk, to make friends and he's always quiet and reserved.
One terrible day something happens that will turn his life upside down and he starts to have panic attacks, after he and his brother are placed in foster care.
Ezra is a popular kid, he's friends with most of the kids on his basketball team, with Brian too, who alway keeps to himself, but everything is changing in his usual group of friends. His best friend is hanging out with girls and with the school's bully and Ezra is afraid that everything will permanently change, most of all since he starts to realized to have feelings for Brian. When Brian and his brother run away, Ezra decides is time to do something and help him, changing both their lives for good.
Thanks a lot, Universe is a moving middle-grade debut and it's brilliant, intense and deals with so many important and delicate themes with sensitivity and care. Told by Brian's and Ezra's POVs, the story follows the two boys struggling with growing up, school problems, changes, their lives weaving together, while they start to see one other and become more and more friends.
The author describes brilliantly Brian's social anxiety, his mom's mental illness and the struggles Brian and his brother have to face, while fighting against panic attacks, fears and the feelings of not belonging. Brian is a very relatable character, quiet, smart, reserved, struggling with his own problems, but forced, by life, to take care of his younger brother and worry about his family.
The school and the friend setting are, also, skillfully crafted, since it's clear both Brian, Ezra, Ty, Kevan and Colby are growing up and changing and the things will be different in the future.
The reader gets to know Brian's and Ezra's fears and insecurities, while they slowly find each other, helping, supporting and being there for one other.
The way the author talks about the importance of therapy and reaching out for help is really moving and I love this message so much. The importance of finding your own family, a found family of friends and supportive adults, to feel safe and be better, healing and fighting.
The story is moving, brilliantly written and I loved everything. It gave me hope that, even in the darkest of times, things can be better.
July 7, 2021
TW: Suizidversuch, Panikattacken, Mobbing
Das war so ein schönes Buch über Freundschaft und Akzeptanz. Große Liebe.
Das war so ein schönes Buch über Freundschaft und Akzeptanz. Große Liebe.
May 31, 2025
This was absolutely heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. What a fucking book.
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