*I received my copy of this book from Hachette Book Group Canada in exchange for an honest review.*
Title: Six Impossible Things
Author: Fiona Wood
Publisher: Poppy, and imprint of Little, Brown and Company
Publication Date: August 15, 2015
ISBN: 9780316242165
Synopsis from Goodreads:
Fourteen year old nerd-boy Dan Cereill is not quite coping with a reversal of family fortune, moving house, new school hell, a mother with a failing wedding cake business, a just-out gay dad, and an impossible crush on Estelle, the girl next door. His life is a mess, but for now he’s narrowed it down to just six impossible things…
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I think what really made this book for me was the charming and wonderful boy that Dan Cereill is. It’s hard not to like this boy who has a crush on the girl next door. He’s hard working, he’s a little bit dopey, and he’s working hard to make positive changes in his life, even if he fumbles along the way. This story is a bit of a coming-of-age story where Dan decides that starting a new school means that he can reinvent himself. Things don’t go exactly to planned, but over the course of the novel, Dan starts to take control of his adolescent life, getting active, gaining confidence, and trying all sorts of new experience. With an intended readership of 12 yrs +, this is a great story about staying true to yourself and not pretending to be someone you’re not.
My main criticism with this book is that Dan doesn’t always sounds like the 14 going on 15-year-old boy that he is. His language and insights are often much more mature than he is. On the other hand, his language is often balanced with silly blundering errors. For example, he signs up for a job at the local thrift store, excited to start making money, but it isn’t until after the fact that he realizes that it’s a volunteer position. As a whole, he’s witty, smart, quick, and quirky. He’s just a typical kid trying to get his bearings on his parents’ recent separation and his father’s rapid abandonment and new sexual identity. He’s lost and confused, but Dan’s story is about finding his way and coming to terms with his new situation.
It’s cute, it’s fun, and it’ll bring a smile to your face. I hope you enjoy!
Worn Pages and Ink 