★ "Readers will easily relate to Sarah’s use of cynicism as a defense mechanism―
her sharp-witted voice sets the tone for a story that’s truly tragicomic."
-Publishers Weekly (starred review)
her sharp-witted voice sets the tone for a story that’s truly tragicomic."
-Publishers Weekly (starred review)
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The Theory of Everything
J.J. Johnson
Publisher: Peachtree Publishers, 2012
Language: English (U.S.)
Format: Hardcover, Trade Paperback, E-book
Price: $16.95 hc, $9.95 tpb
ISBN: 978-1-56145-623-9
J.J. Johnson
Publisher: Peachtree Publishers, 2012
Language: English (U.S.)
Format: Hardcover, Trade Paperback, E-book
Price: $16.95 hc, $9.95 tpb
ISBN: 978-1-56145-623-9
Just because everyone else thinks you should be over it doesn't mean you are.
Last year, Sarah's best friend Jamie died in a freak accident. Back then, everyone was sad; now they're just ready for Sarah to get over it and move on.
But Sarah's not ready to move on. She can't stop reliving what happened, struggling with guilt, questioning the meaning of life, and missing her best friend. Her grades are plummeting, her relationships are falling apart, and her normal voice seems to have been replaced with a snark box. Life just seems random: no pattern, no meaning, no rules - and no reason to bother.
In a last-ditch effort to pull it together, Sarah befriends Jamie's twin brother Emmett, who may be the only other person who understands what she's lost. And when she gets a job working for the local eccentric who owns a Christmas tree farm, she finally begins to understand the threads that connect us all, the benefit of giving people a chance, and the power of love.
Last year, Sarah's best friend Jamie died in a freak accident. Back then, everyone was sad; now they're just ready for Sarah to get over it and move on.
But Sarah's not ready to move on. She can't stop reliving what happened, struggling with guilt, questioning the meaning of life, and missing her best friend. Her grades are plummeting, her relationships are falling apart, and her normal voice seems to have been replaced with a snark box. Life just seems random: no pattern, no meaning, no rules - and no reason to bother.
In a last-ditch effort to pull it together, Sarah befriends Jamie's twin brother Emmett, who may be the only other person who understands what she's lost. And when she gets a job working for the local eccentric who owns a Christmas tree farm, she finally begins to understand the threads that connect us all, the benefit of giving people a chance, and the power of love.
Awards and Honors:
- 2013 Joan F. Kaywell "Books Save Lives" Award finalist
- 2013 Society of School Librarians International Best Books
- 2013 EBSCO Publishing Core Collections Star Title
- 2013 Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List Starred Title
- 2013 Society of School Librarians International Book Awards Honor Book
- 2013 Bankstreet Best Children's Best Books of the Year
- 2013 Premio El Templo de las Mil Puertas Nominee for Mejor novela extranjera independiente
- 2012 Cooperative Children's Book Center Best Books
- 2012 ABC Best Books for Children Catalog Selection, American Booksellers Association
- 2012 Cybil Award Finalist
- 2012 Wilde Award Winner - Young Adult Fiction
What Critics are Saying:
★ "Readers will easily relate to Sarah’s use of cynicism as a defense mechanism—her sharp-witted voice sets the tone for a story that’s truly tragicomic. Equally entertaining are the hand-drawn graphs and diagrams that appear throughout (texts, stern lectures, tense silence, and breakfast constitute the bulk of a pie chart about Sarah’s communication with her mother). The changes within Sarah are real and moving, and the open ending underscores the idea that although death may be certain, life is full of surprises." ―Publisher's Weekly Starred Review
"...Sarah's snappy yet pithy observations will appeal to teens working on their own theories about life.” ―Kirkus Reviews
"Johnson deftly blends humor and grief in this story of a teenager’s struggles to make sense of her best friend's death. The witty chapter drawings (designed by Johnson) and main character Sarah’s pitch-perfect voice make The Theory of Everything compulsively readable, but the underlying veins of emotions—confusion, grief and even hope—keep this from feeling like lighter fare. Teens will understand Sarah’s desire to keep the world at bay with her “snarkbox,” but it’s the moments when Sarah puts aside the snark to truly face life that will leave a lasting impression. With a cast of characters that includes a tame possum, a wonder dog, and a maybe-creepy-maybe-misunderstood Christmas tree farmer, The Theory of Everything keeps readers guessing—and laughing—and crying—to the last page. ― Kendall Kulper, Blogging for YA
"Johnson delicately unravels the accidental and peculiar death of Jamie while introducing us to a complex and completely hilarious character in Sarah. This snarky and endearing girl ropes you into her heart quickly with her combination of Zoloft-infused wit and wisdom." ―The Pirate Tree
“...chapters begin and are decorated by Sarah's doodles and drawings and charts, all of which are incisive and piercing social critiques. I thought they added a wonderful layer to Sarah's personality and to the novel. Overall, Johnson's sophomore effort was extremely strong, an enjoyable read, despite the heavy subject matter..” ―By Anonymous Writer blog
"If I was on all those fancy awards committees, I’d have THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING at the top of my list. Everyone go out and read this book now!" ―Teen Writers Bloc
“5.0 out of 5 stars! Beautiful, Bittersweet, Snark-Ridden Masterpiece!” ―Amazon.com VineVoice review
THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING is an unbelievably beautiful book, not to be missed by fans of John Green and Maureen Johnson, and definitely one to watch out for this award season. ―Write All the Words
"...Sarah's snappy yet pithy observations will appeal to teens working on their own theories about life.” ―Kirkus Reviews
"Johnson deftly blends humor and grief in this story of a teenager’s struggles to make sense of her best friend's death. The witty chapter drawings (designed by Johnson) and main character Sarah’s pitch-perfect voice make The Theory of Everything compulsively readable, but the underlying veins of emotions—confusion, grief and even hope—keep this from feeling like lighter fare. Teens will understand Sarah’s desire to keep the world at bay with her “snarkbox,” but it’s the moments when Sarah puts aside the snark to truly face life that will leave a lasting impression. With a cast of characters that includes a tame possum, a wonder dog, and a maybe-creepy-maybe-misunderstood Christmas tree farmer, The Theory of Everything keeps readers guessing—and laughing—and crying—to the last page. ― Kendall Kulper, Blogging for YA
"Johnson delicately unravels the accidental and peculiar death of Jamie while introducing us to a complex and completely hilarious character in Sarah. This snarky and endearing girl ropes you into her heart quickly with her combination of Zoloft-infused wit and wisdom." ―The Pirate Tree
“...chapters begin and are decorated by Sarah's doodles and drawings and charts, all of which are incisive and piercing social critiques. I thought they added a wonderful layer to Sarah's personality and to the novel. Overall, Johnson's sophomore effort was extremely strong, an enjoyable read, despite the heavy subject matter..” ―By Anonymous Writer blog
"If I was on all those fancy awards committees, I’d have THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING at the top of my list. Everyone go out and read this book now!" ―Teen Writers Bloc
“5.0 out of 5 stars! Beautiful, Bittersweet, Snark-Ridden Masterpiece!” ―Amazon.com VineVoice review
THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING is an unbelievably beautiful book, not to be missed by fans of John Green and Maureen Johnson, and definitely one to watch out for this award season. ―Write All the Words
