We Are All Made Of Molecules by Susin Nielsen

Shruthi | Holmdel High School, Grade 11

Rating: **

When Stewart’s mother passes away after suffering from cancer, Stewart’s seemingly perfect life takes an abrupt turn. He spirals through pain and depression. So, when his father meets someone new and wants them to move in with her, he decides that accepting his decision and giving his to-be stepmother and stepsister a chance would be giving his father the best shot at having the happiness and love that he deserves. However, it turns out that his to-be stepsister isn’t willing to give him that chance. Popular and social, but academically challenged Ashley looks down upon genius but socially awkward Stewart. This book is a story about how both navigate their new lives with new additions to their family.

I’ll be frank with you: I didn’t enjoy the book. I picked it up because a friend recommended it, but I hated it. First of all, it’s so cliché. It follows that basic Disney channel archetype: you can’t be smart and social at the same time. But even if I looked past that, the story is very lacking in many areas. I felt like it had no real purpose: there was little to no resolution, and there was barely any character development. Stewart didn’t become any more social than he originally was, and Ashley’s entire character development consisted of helping Stewart look for his cat. Yes, that’s all. There were no apologies to her father for being homophobic to him in the past, and she didn’t thank Stewart for anything that he did, much less apologize for treating him cruelly towards the beginning. This book is not only unsuitable for younger teens, but it was also unsuitable for people not looking to die of boredom. Heed my advice and stay away.