Eventown

Eventown
By Corey Ann Haydu
Katherine Tegen Books, 2019, 328 pg., Youth Fiction

Elodee and Naomi are twins, but sometimes they are more alike on the outside and less alike on the inside. Elodee never cared much about this before, they fit together and their differences made them closer. However, once they move to Eventown things begin to change and it seems like Elodee and Naomi are not alike at all - and Naomi seems to hate all those things that are different about her twin. Moving to Eventown was supposed to be a fresh start for their family. A fresh start where people didn't stare, or whisper, or frown at them and wish they could be the Elodee and Naomi from Before. But now people in Eventown are starting to stare at them too. Elodee thought that it would be great living in a town with no cars, perfect sunsets, and the best ice cream ever! Yet, Elodee can't help noticing that they only ever learn one song in music class, there are only three kinds of ice cream, she can't remember things from before Eventown, and nobody likes Elodee's questions at all.

I will admit that this is a book that will surprise you. It is different and doesn't easily fit into any standard genre, which is fitting since it is a story that discusses a lot of the pros and cons of fitting in vs. standing out. The story follows a family that moves to Eventown, a place where everything is perfect all the time. But I would argue that message of the story is that our emotions and memories - both good and bad- are makes our lives so wonderful. If we never knew sadness they we would never really know joy. It is also about how wonderful our lives are when they are filled with different people and that is okay if we are not exactly like everyone else - even those who we are closest to. This book is intended for 8 -12 year olds, but adults might also enjoy it. However, readers should know that the book does discuss suicide (the suicide happens before the book begins, but characters discuss their memories of the event) and depression. A minor character in the book has a lesbian couple for parents, though their relationship is not discussed. There is also one incident where a child uses a swear word.