Wednesday, January 22, 2020

How to Disappear Completely by Ali Standish - ESSENTIAL

How to Disappear Completely by Ali Standish, 384 pages. HarperCollins, April 2020. $17.

Language: PG (6 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (bullying)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL – ADVISABLE; MS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Emma, 7th grader, and her family moved to Lanternwood to care for Gram (Dad’s mom), who just passed away, leaving Emma feeling adrift. Gram delighted her with fairytales and introduced Emma to the beautiful part of the wood she calls The Spinney and to her favorit book, The World at the End of the Tunnel by R.M. Wildsmith. On the day of Gram’s funeral, Emma sees a white spot between her toes.  She doesn’t think much of it, but then she notices more spots. The verdict – vitiligo. Now she’s a new girl in a new school and she’s about to become a freak.

Standish has so many great subplots that she has woven together that I can’t give it justice in a short summary.  Emma’s relationship with her mother, with her sister, her friendships, and different instances of learning not to be judgemental.  So many good things! I will alert my counselors about this, but kids will just like to because it’s good.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS


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