A review by mrskatiefitz
All the Things You Are by Courtney Sheinmel
4.0
This is the second book I've read by my new favorite author, Courtney Sheinmel. (The first was My So-Called Family.) Each of Sheinmel's books focuses on a particular contemporary issue. In All the Things You Are, which is for a middle grade audience, she explores the ramifications of a mother's criminal activity, and her subsequent arrest.
At the start of the book, Carly and her best friend Annie are on a special visit to the set of a popular soap opera called Lovelock Falls, where Carly's mom works as the cast's stylist. As they visit with different cast members and wander from office to office, the two girls overhear a conversation between Leigh, Carly's mom and her friend and boss, Vivette, that sounds somewhat suspicious. Though Carly tries to ignore it, she is troubled when Vivette is arrested the next day for embezzling money from the show. Carly is sure her mom had no part in the stealing, until the FBI comes for her as well. Then everything starts to fall apart. Everyone at school sees the sordid details of Carly's mom's crime on the news and even Annie won't hang out with Carly anymore. And though Carly loves her mom, she finds it hard to forgive her for lying to her family.
This was such a fast-paced read, and there was truly never a dull moment. The legal details of Leigh's case were so interesting, and the emotions Carly experienced as she realized her mom would have to do some time in jail felt so real to me that I could really put myself in Carly's place and imagine the story from her point of view. I've read one other duo of books having to do with an incarcerated parent (Sunny Holiday and Sweet and Sunny by Coleen Murtagh Paratore), but this one focused on a scenario I've never read in children's literature before.
Like Sheinmel's other books, this one also does a great job of portraying a loving and supportive stepfather. This is a recurring theme in Sheinmel's novels, which I believe must be inspired by a great stepdad in her own life.
Finally, I thought the title really reflected what this book is truly about. Yes, Carly's mother committed a crime, but she is much more than a criminal, and it's because of Carly's ability to see all aspects of her mother that she is ultimately able to forgive. I really enjoyed this one. Recommended especially to middle school girls who like contemporary stories about real-life issues and family dynamics.
At the start of the book, Carly and her best friend Annie are on a special visit to the set of a popular soap opera called Lovelock Falls, where Carly's mom works as the cast's stylist. As they visit with different cast members and wander from office to office, the two girls overhear a conversation between Leigh, Carly's mom and her friend and boss, Vivette, that sounds somewhat suspicious. Though Carly tries to ignore it, she is troubled when Vivette is arrested the next day for embezzling money from the show. Carly is sure her mom had no part in the stealing, until the FBI comes for her as well. Then everything starts to fall apart. Everyone at school sees the sordid details of Carly's mom's crime on the news and even Annie won't hang out with Carly anymore. And though Carly loves her mom, she finds it hard to forgive her for lying to her family.
This was such a fast-paced read, and there was truly never a dull moment. The legal details of Leigh's case were so interesting, and the emotions Carly experienced as she realized her mom would have to do some time in jail felt so real to me that I could really put myself in Carly's place and imagine the story from her point of view. I've read one other duo of books having to do with an incarcerated parent (Sunny Holiday and Sweet and Sunny by Coleen Murtagh Paratore), but this one focused on a scenario I've never read in children's literature before.
Like Sheinmel's other books, this one also does a great job of portraying a loving and supportive stepfather. This is a recurring theme in Sheinmel's novels, which I believe must be inspired by a great stepdad in her own life.
Finally, I thought the title really reflected what this book is truly about. Yes, Carly's mother committed a crime, but she is much more than a criminal, and it's because of Carly's ability to see all aspects of her mother that she is ultimately able to forgive. I really enjoyed this one. Recommended especially to middle school girls who like contemporary stories about real-life issues and family dynamics.