Publisher: Berkley
Published: August 24, 2021
Source: Personal copy
Summary:
A bursting, heartfelt, debut following fifty-five days in the life of ten-year-old Rae, who must look after herself and her dog when her mother disappears.
For as long as Rae can remember, it’s been her and Mum, and their dog, Splinter; a small, deliberately unremarkable, family. They have their walks, their cooking routines, their home. Sometimes Mum disappears for a while to clear her head but Rae is okay with this, because Mum always comes back.
So, when Rae wakes to Splinter’s nose in her face, the back door open, and no Mum, she does as she’s always done and carries on. She takes care of the house, goes to school, walks Splinter, and minds her own business—all the while pushing down the truth she isn’t ready to face.
That is, until her grumpy, lonely neighbor Lettie—with her own secrets and sadness—falls one night and needs Rae’s help. As the two begin to rely on each other, Rae’s anxiety intensifies as she wonders what will happen to her when her mother’s absence is finally noticed and her fragile world bursts open.
A Million Things transforms a gut-wrenching story of abandonment and what it’s like to grow up in a house that doesn’t feel safe into an astonishing portrait of resilience, mental health, and the families we make and how they make us in return.
My thoughts:
This was one of our picks for the online bookclub I am part of and I am so glad we selected it. And we even got to chat with the author after our book discussion, which I love doing – it really enhances our meetings!
I didn’t really know much about this book going into it, and I really think that’s the best way to approach it. It’s one of those books that will truly captivate you from start to finish, tugging at your heartstrings and not letting go, even after you finish reading. I became completely attached to Rae, our ten-year-old narrator, and just wanted to hug her and make sure everything was right in her world. I loved the friendship she strikes up with Lettie, her neighbor, and how they used each other to keep afloat.
This is a story of resilience and inner strength. It tackles some pretty heavy stuff, but despite all that it still manages to have some moments of humor sprinkled throughout. I loved that even though the story was narrated entirely by Rae, it never felt childish. Rather, it really is the perfect book for both young adults and adults alike.
I cannot recommend this book enough. I have always loved the idea of found families and this one is one of the better ones I’ve read. Book clubs should be running to add this one to their list to read – there is so much to unpack here and as I’ve already mentioned, it really is a quick read!
