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Diet Soda Club
When their mom leaves, Reed must care for his sister who has a life-threatening condition—even if that means breaking the law. A tender and sparkling story about family, trust, and the lengths we will go to for the ones we love.
Have you ever made all the wrong choices for all the right reasons?
Reed Beckett’s little sister, Beatrice, has never been awakened by the smell of breakfast or a school-day alarm clock. Instead, she wakes to hospital beeps and poking doctors. Seventeen-year-old Reed has been there for Bea all along, especially since their dad died. But when their burned-out mom goes on an extended vacation with her new boyfriend, the siblings are left with only an empty pantry and each other. With no job prospects on the horizon, Reed begins making and selling fake IDs so he and Bea can survive. But the problems keep piling up, from an angry landlord demanding rent to looming medical bills. As Reed expands his business, taking increasingly bigger risks, the potential consequences for Reed’s future, Bea’s health, and Reed’s budding friendship with his classmate Helena become graver. But what choice does he have? The joy and complexity of both caregiving and sibling relationships are at the heart of this authentic and moving novel.
Have you ever made all the wrong choices for all the right reasons?
Reed Beckett’s little sister, Beatrice, has never been awakened by the smell of breakfast or a school-day alarm clock. Instead, she wakes to hospital beeps and poking doctors. Seventeen-year-old Reed has been there for Bea all along, especially since their dad died. But when their burned-out mom goes on an extended vacation with her new boyfriend, the siblings are left with only an empty pantry and each other. With no job prospects on the horizon, Reed begins making and selling fake IDs so he and Bea can survive. But the problems keep piling up, from an angry landlord demanding rent to looming medical bills. As Reed expands his business, taking increasingly bigger risks, the potential consequences for Reed’s future, Bea’s health, and Reed’s budding friendship with his classmate Helena become graver. But what choice does he have? The joy and complexity of both caregiving and sibling relationships are at the heart of this authentic and moving novel.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published October 8, 2024
11 people are currently reading
4201 people want to read
About the author
Chaz Hayden
2 books51 followersChaz Hayden is the author of the YA novel The First Thing About You. Through his writing and his YouTube channel, he speaks with abundant positivity and encourages people to “Be different. Leave a trail.” He grew up in New Jersey and now lives in Pennsylvania, where he highlights accessibility in his community and spends too much time thinking about his next tattoo and what concerts to attend. Chaz Hayden is also a director at Ballers & Bookworms, a nonprofit that supports underserved student-athletes. Follow him on social media @TheChazHayden.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
October 31, 2024
An extremely moving #ownvoices YA story about a brother and sister left to survive on their own when their mother abandons them for over a month. Eldest, Reid is forced to figure out how to get money to pay for food, rent and his disabled sister's medical bills. Living with a younger sibling who has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (a condition shared by the other), places unique burdens on him that he admirably rises to tackle but at what point do the ends justify the means??? I loved this story of family, disability and friendship that was good on audio narrated by Michael Crouch. I look forward to reading more from this new author!!
December 29, 2024
Even though this was another 2024 dysfunctional mother book, this is a stand out. The character development is quite distinguished. Have you ever wanted two characters to meet from different books? Well, I’d love Hank from, Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman to meet Reed. Both books show such a strong sibling bond, but in totally different circumstances. I hope this is recognized for at least the Schneider Family award if not Newbery. Very authentic depiction of a disability- due to @ownvoice author. Schools would be very fortunate if they get this author to visit.
December 14, 2024
Ok I loved this one!! Originally picked this one because I love Diet Coke, but it ended up being amazing. I loved the teenage perspective and it made me think about how people’s actions that may seem negative often have an underlying reason we don’t see form the surface. Such a good, heartbreaking book.
September 27, 2025
Great OBR book!!
November 6, 2024
Beatrice is such an incredibly bright ten-year-old girl. She never really gets down about spending too much time in and out of the hospital. Sure, she has moments where she gets frustrated by a breathing treatment or scolds her older brother for spending all his time with her, but Bea is a fairly upbeat kid. She's a whiz with computers (a mini hacker Reed would say) and better than even him at his math homework. Reed is the worrier who takes everything on his shoulders. He cares deeply for his sister and there really isn't anything that he wouldn't do for her. They're both put into a difficult situation by their mom's negligence, yet somehow, they make the best of it. Overall, this is the kind of story that will stick with you with characters that you won't be able to forget. It's well written, providing positive representation of disability, and written by an author from their own personal experience. Can't wait to check out Chaz's previous book, The First Thing About You next.
** A huge thank you to the Candlewick Press for the paperback ARC in exchange for an honest review**
** A huge thank you to the Candlewick Press for the paperback ARC in exchange for an honest review**
June 14, 2025
I really enjoyed this book! The author does a remarkable job making the story feel light and positive even though it contains sensitive topics. The main characters are so well developed that you immediately fall in love with them. Reed’s love for his sister, Beatrice, is so sweet. His resilience and courage in the face of adversity is impressive, especially for a 17-year-old. The question of is it ok to make the wrong decisions for the right reasons will be a strong talking point for discussions. As a former history teacher, it reminds me of Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter to the Birmingham Jail when he writes that individuals have a moral obligation to obey just laws and to disobey unjust laws. I loved the positive representation of Beatrice’s disability. Young adults will enjoy the short chapters and the “resourcefulness” of Reed to make money.
December 29, 2025
LOVED this book. Fully, wholeheartedly loved it.
This book is funny, tender, and profound. It’s a coming-of-age story that feels intimate and unfiltered, the kind that makes you laugh out loud one minute and sit with a lump in your throat the next. Hayden writes with so much heart and clarity about friendship, identity, and the strange, formative years where everything feels both insignificant and life-defining. I laughed. I felt deeply. I didn’t want it to end. This is one of those rare reads that feels both wildly entertaining and genuinely meaningful.
This book is funny, tender, and profound. It’s a coming-of-age story that feels intimate and unfiltered, the kind that makes you laugh out loud one minute and sit with a lump in your throat the next. Hayden writes with so much heart and clarity about friendship, identity, and the strange, formative years where everything feels both insignificant and life-defining. I laughed. I felt deeply. I didn’t want it to end. This is one of those rare reads that feels both wildly entertaining and genuinely meaningful.
January 24, 2025
While Diet Soda Club dealt with serious issues such as abandonment and chronic illness, it also had great friendships, sibling relationship, and first love. This is a keeper. Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for a review copy.
November 23, 2024
The font on my copy was so tiny!
A great story of a teen boy who resorts.to shady things for his sister. I wanted to hug him so many times.
A great story of a teen boy who resorts.to shady things for his sister. I wanted to hug him so many times.
September 30, 2025
This has such a great title and is a great story of determination and perseverance. Also deals with how grief affects us and our family going forward after the loss. Great book of friendship and compassion too!!
January 22, 2025
Genuinely loved this book. It had emotion, complexities, fallible humanity, really good disabled rep., 3-dimensional characters. Good to have a MMC in a caring role, too.
The writing was clear, insightful at times, and very engaging. Good pace. Kudos to the author.
There are a few too many clichés to give this a 5 star, but the clichés are put together really, really well. Solid 4 stars.
CW: parental abandonment
Y10 Y11
The writing was clear, insightful at times, and very engaging. Good pace. Kudos to the author.
There are a few too many clichés to give this a 5 star, but the clichés are put together really, really well. Solid 4 stars.
CW: parental abandonment
Y10 Y11
July 8, 2024
ARC provided by Young Adult Books Central
Fifteen years old Reed is in high school, and is a good student, but is involved in no sports or clubs because he spends all of his spare time hanging out with his sister Beatrice. She's been in and out of hospitals for all of her ten years because of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a condition that has left her unable to walk, and which results in frequent lung infections due to the curvature of her spine. Their father was killed in a car accident on his way to visit Beatrice in the hospital years ago, and their mother has not been a terribly effective parent since. She often works double shifts at the bar, and tries to keep up with all of Beatrice's needs, but it is Reed who makes sure that she is alone as little as possible. When the doctor tells the family that Beatrice needs surgery to correct her worsening scoliosis, but that it has to wait until she is over the latest infection, the mother can't handle it. She's started seeing Seth, whom she met at the bar, and is frequently hanging out at his apartment, while Reed has been sleeping at the hospital. Reed is struggling to keep up with his schoolwork (Beatrice sometimes helps, as she is precociously smart), and when he forgets his school I.D., he has to get a new one in the art room, where his former friend Helena seems to preside over the creation of this critical item. When Beatrice is to be released, Reed gets a call at school because the hospital can't find his mother. He skips school and takes a bus to get his sister, who can't be released until an adult signs for her. Luckily, his mother shows up. Beatrice is glad to be home, and for a while their mother makes an effort. One night, after the first home cooked meal in ages, she drops a bombshell: she's going away for the weekend with Seth. Reed will have to administer medication and breathing treatments, and take care of the two of them until Sunday night. Flabbergasted, Reed does what he has to, but his mother has left them with no food or money. When Sunday night rolls around, she is still not home, and tells Reed that there's money in her dresser, and that everything will be fine. Beatrice insists that she can be home alone, even though she can't even use the bathroom by herself. Reed reluctantly agrees, but e mails her multiple times during the day (he has a phone, but his sister is using his laptop). When their mother still doesn't come back, Reed gets desperate. After a chance encounter at their local convenience store, Reed decides to use the art printer to create fake I.D.s and sell them for $100 to classmates. At first, he manages to hide this from Helen, but as his mother doesn't return, the rent is due, and his concerns for his sister mount, he brings her in to his scheme, especially when it spills over into selling papers and test answers. Reed is able to cover necessities, as well as a hospital prepayment, and even drives the car illegally in order to meet Beatrice's needs. How long can he continue this lifestyle before someone needs to be told that his mother is not around?
I'm a big fan of children who show resilience in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, and Reed's complete and utter devotion to his sister is definitely a change from the slew of anxious characters that have shown up in teen and tween literature lately. While he's sometimes misguided, he manages to keep things together even better than his mother does. This definitely takes an emotional toll on him, so it was good to see him reconnect with childhood friend Helena, and to watch her support him.
For teens, the big draw will be Reed's illegal activity, which will resonate with readers who like the unlikely exploits in books like Quigley's Bank or Zimmerman's Just Do This One Thing For Me. While I had a little problem believing that Reed could make a convincing I.D., I did like that he felt bad about creating and selling them, but felt he had no other choice. He also feels that they are being used for buying cigarettes and maybe a few beers; I was a little surprised that no one tried to get into venues that required identification. There are some realistic limits; since Reed is using school pictures, he has to deny clients who look very young and wouldn't be convincing.
Beatrice's condition is serious, but she is also upbeat, although she does have her breaking point. Her hacking activity is interesting, and I wondered how she got her computer skills, since Reed has been the one who is essentially home schooling her. Her SMA is certainly what drives a lot of the plot, but is just one facet of the person she is.
While it also seemed odd that children's services never got involved, especially after Reed's arrest at the end of the book, young readers won't know all of the technicalities, and will just be glad to see that things seem to be on an upwards trend for Reed and his family at the end of the book. This is a great addition to tales of children surviving against the odds, along with Walter's The King of Jam Sandwich's Rudd's How to Stay Invisible, and Florence, and Scrimger's The Other Side of Perfect. It reminded me a bit of an updated, older version of Williams' The True Colors of Caitlyn Jackson (1997).
Content wise, this would be fine for middle school as well, but the print in the ARC is VERY tiny, and at 300 pages, it's not a short book. Debating, because I did really enjoy it.
Fifteen years old Reed is in high school, and is a good student, but is involved in no sports or clubs because he spends all of his spare time hanging out with his sister Beatrice. She's been in and out of hospitals for all of her ten years because of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a condition that has left her unable to walk, and which results in frequent lung infections due to the curvature of her spine. Their father was killed in a car accident on his way to visit Beatrice in the hospital years ago, and their mother has not been a terribly effective parent since. She often works double shifts at the bar, and tries to keep up with all of Beatrice's needs, but it is Reed who makes sure that she is alone as little as possible. When the doctor tells the family that Beatrice needs surgery to correct her worsening scoliosis, but that it has to wait until she is over the latest infection, the mother can't handle it. She's started seeing Seth, whom she met at the bar, and is frequently hanging out at his apartment, while Reed has been sleeping at the hospital. Reed is struggling to keep up with his schoolwork (Beatrice sometimes helps, as she is precociously smart), and when he forgets his school I.D., he has to get a new one in the art room, where his former friend Helena seems to preside over the creation of this critical item. When Beatrice is to be released, Reed gets a call at school because the hospital can't find his mother. He skips school and takes a bus to get his sister, who can't be released until an adult signs for her. Luckily, his mother shows up. Beatrice is glad to be home, and for a while their mother makes an effort. One night, after the first home cooked meal in ages, she drops a bombshell: she's going away for the weekend with Seth. Reed will have to administer medication and breathing treatments, and take care of the two of them until Sunday night. Flabbergasted, Reed does what he has to, but his mother has left them with no food or money. When Sunday night rolls around, she is still not home, and tells Reed that there's money in her dresser, and that everything will be fine. Beatrice insists that she can be home alone, even though she can't even use the bathroom by herself. Reed reluctantly agrees, but e mails her multiple times during the day (he has a phone, but his sister is using his laptop). When their mother still doesn't come back, Reed gets desperate. After a chance encounter at their local convenience store, Reed decides to use the art printer to create fake I.D.s and sell them for $100 to classmates. At first, he manages to hide this from Helen, but as his mother doesn't return, the rent is due, and his concerns for his sister mount, he brings her in to his scheme, especially when it spills over into selling papers and test answers. Reed is able to cover necessities, as well as a hospital prepayment, and even drives the car illegally in order to meet Beatrice's needs. How long can he continue this lifestyle before someone needs to be told that his mother is not around?
I'm a big fan of children who show resilience in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, and Reed's complete and utter devotion to his sister is definitely a change from the slew of anxious characters that have shown up in teen and tween literature lately. While he's sometimes misguided, he manages to keep things together even better than his mother does. This definitely takes an emotional toll on him, so it was good to see him reconnect with childhood friend Helena, and to watch her support him.
For teens, the big draw will be Reed's illegal activity, which will resonate with readers who like the unlikely exploits in books like Quigley's Bank or Zimmerman's Just Do This One Thing For Me. While I had a little problem believing that Reed could make a convincing I.D., I did like that he felt bad about creating and selling them, but felt he had no other choice. He also feels that they are being used for buying cigarettes and maybe a few beers; I was a little surprised that no one tried to get into venues that required identification. There are some realistic limits; since Reed is using school pictures, he has to deny clients who look very young and wouldn't be convincing.
Beatrice's condition is serious, but she is also upbeat, although she does have her breaking point. Her hacking activity is interesting, and I wondered how she got her computer skills, since Reed has been the one who is essentially home schooling her. Her SMA is certainly what drives a lot of the plot, but is just one facet of the person she is.
While it also seemed odd that children's services never got involved, especially after Reed's arrest at the end of the book, young readers won't know all of the technicalities, and will just be glad to see that things seem to be on an upwards trend for Reed and his family at the end of the book. This is a great addition to tales of children surviving against the odds, along with Walter's The King of Jam Sandwich's Rudd's How to Stay Invisible, and Florence, and Scrimger's The Other Side of Perfect. It reminded me a bit of an updated, older version of Williams' The True Colors of Caitlyn Jackson (1997).
Content wise, this would be fine for middle school as well, but the print in the ARC is VERY tiny, and at 300 pages, it's not a short book. Debating, because I did really enjoy it.
January 6, 2025
Another fantastic book by Chaz Hayden. I don't usually read YA novels but after reading Chaz's two books, I wonder if I should read more. Like in The First Thing About You, Diet Soda Club is raw and full of authenticity but also quite funny. I appreciate how genuinely moving the book is without feeling maudlin. I was completely invested in the lives of Reed, Beatrice and Helen and was sorry to have the book end. I eagerly look forward to Chaz's next book.
July 9, 2025
Where do I begin to describe this book? It was moving, it was unflinching, and it felt so real. Each of the characters were so developed, it felt like they could walk off the page. This really was a stellar read for so many reasons.
Diet Soda Club by Chaz Hayden follows Reed, a high schooler trying to keep his family together as his sister grapples with the many difficulties a diagnosis of spinal muscular atrophy brings and his mother escapes from her responsibilities. With limited options, he turns to unorthodox methods of earning money.
I loved this book so much for how real it got. Life with a chronic illness or physical disability is never easy. The never ending medical appointments and procedures, the extra care required for activities of daily living, the financial pressures, and the uncertainty of what the future might bring takes a toll on the entire family. It so easily consumes the entire family due to its relentless nature. Sometimes, it may even be difficult for caregivers to give any form of care because they are so burnt out themselves. And there’s still the person behind the condition who is so often overlooked because the condition is so salient, even to family. It’s rare for such situations to be so accurately portrayed. Then I googled the author and realised this an own voices book! Kudos to sharing experiences that really need to be shared for increased understanding.
I also appreciated how each of the characters are treated with so much love and respect. Yes, an absent parent is a horrible thing, yet Hayden shows the difficulties a parent in this situation faces and how the lack of a support system or respite can erode even the most basic of caring instincts. The mixed feelings I had towards Reed’s mom were superbly evoked. It wasn’t just her, each of the characters were beautifully handled with nuance that I couldn’t help but root for each one, especially Reed. I so need for him to be able to be a child and not need to grow up before his time.
I just had a little moment of puzzlement which I think was a question of editing. Certain medical terms were substituted for layman terms which didn’t quite gel with the idea of Reed basically being his sister’s main carer for years. Like, CPAP isn’t a very difficult label to say, breathing machine, however, is. Yet, on occasion, some of the medical terminology is used with absolutely no explanation. For example, I think contracture isn’t really an everyday idea for the layperson? Anyway, it was a small thing that probably wouldn’t have been picked up by most people, and it didn’t detract from my reading experience. All in all, this was a superb read that I highly recommend.
Diversity meter:
Character with neuromuscular disorder
Diet Soda Club by Chaz Hayden follows Reed, a high schooler trying to keep his family together as his sister grapples with the many difficulties a diagnosis of spinal muscular atrophy brings and his mother escapes from her responsibilities. With limited options, he turns to unorthodox methods of earning money.
I loved this book so much for how real it got. Life with a chronic illness or physical disability is never easy. The never ending medical appointments and procedures, the extra care required for activities of daily living, the financial pressures, and the uncertainty of what the future might bring takes a toll on the entire family. It so easily consumes the entire family due to its relentless nature. Sometimes, it may even be difficult for caregivers to give any form of care because they are so burnt out themselves. And there’s still the person behind the condition who is so often overlooked because the condition is so salient, even to family. It’s rare for such situations to be so accurately portrayed. Then I googled the author and realised this an own voices book! Kudos to sharing experiences that really need to be shared for increased understanding.
I also appreciated how each of the characters are treated with so much love and respect. Yes, an absent parent is a horrible thing, yet Hayden shows the difficulties a parent in this situation faces and how the lack of a support system or respite can erode even the most basic of caring instincts. The mixed feelings I had towards Reed’s mom were superbly evoked. It wasn’t just her, each of the characters were beautifully handled with nuance that I couldn’t help but root for each one, especially Reed. I so need for him to be able to be a child and not need to grow up before his time.
I just had a little moment of puzzlement which I think was a question of editing. Certain medical terms were substituted for layman terms which didn’t quite gel with the idea of Reed basically being his sister’s main carer for years. Like, CPAP isn’t a very difficult label to say, breathing machine, however, is. Yet, on occasion, some of the medical terminology is used with absolutely no explanation. For example, I think contracture isn’t really an everyday idea for the layperson? Anyway, it was a small thing that probably wouldn’t have been picked up by most people, and it didn’t detract from my reading experience. All in all, this was a superb read that I highly recommend.
Diversity meter:
Character with neuromuscular disorder
October 25, 2024
“Funny how if you know someone long enough, your problems start with secretly drinking soda and morph into something much larger, like selling fake IDs and figuring out how to hack into a high school’s network. Morality, much like age, is never constant.” (221)
Ten-year-old Beatrice has a life threatening condition—spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) which affects her muscles but also her respiratory system, causing frequent pneumonia. For ten years she has been in and out of hospitals and, all through it, her older brother Reed has been there for her.
After their father’s death, shortly after Beatrice’s birth, their mother began to spiral downward. And when she finds out that Beatrice needs a serious operation to try to hold up her spine so she can breathe, she takes off with her latest boyfriend, leaving Reed, a 17-year-old high school student with no food, no money, and no driver’s license to take care of Beatrice who has been released from the hospital.
Reed has to be the grown-up while balancing school (He’s an A student), watching over Beatrice and giving her medicines and respiratory treatments, taking her to doctor appointments, dressing and bathing her, and trying to find money for food, rent, and the deposit on her surgery, while also trying to keep Beatrice from worrying. He constantly calls and texts to convince his mother, who feels she deserves a “vacation,” to come home or at least send money. Best big brother ever!
The $20 he has is gone quickly, and Reed hatches a plan—an illegal plan—to make money to care for his sister. His estranged childhood best friend Helena, high school president and rule maker, offers to help to his surprise. “My dad always says that bad people do bad things, but I haven’t believed that for a long time now. You’re a good person, Reed, who has to do some bad things right now —but for a good reason.” (183)
Together Reed and Helena hatch and carry out plans, all with Beatrice in mind.
DIET SODA CLUB was heartwarming, and I fell in love with all the characters: Beatrice who is a force to reckon with, an expert hacker, and wants so badly to go to school and have friends; Helena, who was best friends with Reed until age 7 when Reed misread her actions. But he needs her now and she rises to the occasion. “Maybe once in a lifetime you get the opportunity to meet the same person twice. And the second time you meet them, your entire first impression of that person gets deleted from your memory.…Maybe there was hope for this new version of us. “ (167) And, of course, Reed. What could be more heartwarming than a big brother taking care of his little sister
Ten-year-old Beatrice has a life threatening condition—spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) which affects her muscles but also her respiratory system, causing frequent pneumonia. For ten years she has been in and out of hospitals and, all through it, her older brother Reed has been there for her.
After their father’s death, shortly after Beatrice’s birth, their mother began to spiral downward. And when she finds out that Beatrice needs a serious operation to try to hold up her spine so she can breathe, she takes off with her latest boyfriend, leaving Reed, a 17-year-old high school student with no food, no money, and no driver’s license to take care of Beatrice who has been released from the hospital.
Reed has to be the grown-up while balancing school (He’s an A student), watching over Beatrice and giving her medicines and respiratory treatments, taking her to doctor appointments, dressing and bathing her, and trying to find money for food, rent, and the deposit on her surgery, while also trying to keep Beatrice from worrying. He constantly calls and texts to convince his mother, who feels she deserves a “vacation,” to come home or at least send money. Best big brother ever!
The $20 he has is gone quickly, and Reed hatches a plan—an illegal plan—to make money to care for his sister. His estranged childhood best friend Helena, high school president and rule maker, offers to help to his surprise. “My dad always says that bad people do bad things, but I haven’t believed that for a long time now. You’re a good person, Reed, who has to do some bad things right now —but for a good reason.” (183)
Together Reed and Helena hatch and carry out plans, all with Beatrice in mind.
DIET SODA CLUB was heartwarming, and I fell in love with all the characters: Beatrice who is a force to reckon with, an expert hacker, and wants so badly to go to school and have friends; Helena, who was best friends with Reed until age 7 when Reed misread her actions. But he needs her now and she rises to the occasion. “Maybe once in a lifetime you get the opportunity to meet the same person twice. And the second time you meet them, your entire first impression of that person gets deleted from your memory.…Maybe there was hope for this new version of us. “ (167) And, of course, Reed. What could be more heartwarming than a big brother taking care of his little sister
November 11, 2024
Trigger Warnings: Childhood sickness, parental abandonment, neglectful parents
Seventeen-year-old Reed Beckett’s little sister, Beatrice, has never woken up to an alarm for school, instead, for most of her ten years on Earth, it’s been hospital beeps and poking doctors. After their dad died when Bea was a baby, Reed stepped up and was there for his sister. But when their burned-out mom goes on an extended vacation with her new boyfriend, the siblings are only left with each other.
With no job prospects on the horizon, Reed begins making and selling fake IDs so he and his sister can survive. But the problems keep piling up: rent, medical bills, and food. As Reed expands his business and takes bigger risks, the consequences can get worse. But he’s making all the wrong choices, for all the right reasons, isn’t he?
I absolutely loved this book and the relationship between Reed and his sister, Bea. I’m also a big fan of characters who show resilience in the face of hardship and both of the Beckett siblings do that throughout the novel.
Two things that I would love to know more information on. One; I would love to know what software and printers Reed’s school is using to print those ID though, cause I did have a bit of a hard time believing he was printing legit looking ones (but I also wasn’t someone who ever had a fake ID, so who knows). Two; I never fully understood Bea’s schooling - it was mentioned here and there that she was homeschooled, or that Reed would give her his homework to redo (after he’s gotten a grade on it), but she wasn’t ever actively doing school. I’m sure when kids are fighting for their lives when they’re sick, they don’t have to worry about school, but I was just curious how that worked for her.
Another thing I really enjoyed about this book is the rekindling of Helena and Reed’s relationship and how they both addressed being friends once upon a time and what that looked like for them.
Overall, this is such an amazing book that I will be handing out as a recommendation left and right. It’s a contemporary YA about both caregiving and family - especially sibling - relationships.
*Thank you Candlewick Press and Edelweiss+ for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Seventeen-year-old Reed Beckett’s little sister, Beatrice, has never woken up to an alarm for school, instead, for most of her ten years on Earth, it’s been hospital beeps and poking doctors. After their dad died when Bea was a baby, Reed stepped up and was there for his sister. But when their burned-out mom goes on an extended vacation with her new boyfriend, the siblings are only left with each other.
With no job prospects on the horizon, Reed begins making and selling fake IDs so he and his sister can survive. But the problems keep piling up: rent, medical bills, and food. As Reed expands his business and takes bigger risks, the consequences can get worse. But he’s making all the wrong choices, for all the right reasons, isn’t he?
I absolutely loved this book and the relationship between Reed and his sister, Bea. I’m also a big fan of characters who show resilience in the face of hardship and both of the Beckett siblings do that throughout the novel.
Two things that I would love to know more information on. One; I would love to know what software and printers Reed’s school is using to print those ID though, cause I did have a bit of a hard time believing he was printing legit looking ones (but I also wasn’t someone who ever had a fake ID, so who knows). Two; I never fully understood Bea’s schooling - it was mentioned here and there that she was homeschooled, or that Reed would give her his homework to redo (after he’s gotten a grade on it), but she wasn’t ever actively doing school. I’m sure when kids are fighting for their lives when they’re sick, they don’t have to worry about school, but I was just curious how that worked for her.
Another thing I really enjoyed about this book is the rekindling of Helena and Reed’s relationship and how they both addressed being friends once upon a time and what that looked like for them.
Overall, this is such an amazing book that I will be handing out as a recommendation left and right. It’s a contemporary YA about both caregiving and family - especially sibling - relationships.
*Thank you Candlewick Press and Edelweiss+ for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
November 24, 2024
This was an impressive sophomore effort [3.5 for me!] from a writer who really knows how to develop characters and situations that will strike home for teen readers. After all, most of us have faced turning points at which we had to make choices, sometimes feeling as though there's no good choice available. In the case of Reed Beckett, the narrator, the bad choices are all that stand between his sister Bea and him and disaster. Although Reed, 17, gets good grades, he could care less about school or applying for colleges since much of the responsibility for his sister falls on him, especially during stressful times. In fact, when it's clear that Bea, who has Spinal Muscular Atrophy, is in line for surgery, their mother goes AWOL with Seth, her latest boyfriend. For some reason, she thinks Reed can handle everything, including paying for the rent, buying groceries, and any hospital costs. The only way he can do this is to engage in some illegal activities, including making false IDs and providing answers to test questions. As Reed does his best to take care of Bea, he has help from an unexpected ally with whom he has a past that relates to the book's title. But how far will he have to go to keep afloat, and how long will he able to get away with his moneymaking schemes? Readers will enjoy the ups and downs in his relationship with Helena and the delightful personality of Bea as well as the way the siblings interact with one another. The scene in which the two go grocery shopping for the first time and follow another shopper who seems to know what she's doing is amusing but also realistic. On the other hand, it's hard to imagine a mother being as careless as Reed's, though.
February 11, 2025
One of the easiest 5 stars I’ve given.
This book had my heart from the start and never let it go.
Reed and his sister, Bea, are amazing. There relationship is beautiful and the lengths Reed goes to for her is so touching & inspiring. I mean the courage and strength he shows throughout is so heartwarming. And although he does wrong, it’s all because of love.
I cannot even begin to explain the hurt I felt for Reed & Bea regarding their mum. I was so angry with her. Being a mum myself, I don’t believe I would ever leave my child especially knowing how much they needed me. It truly did break my heart. I tried to be sympathetic and understanding of her struggle but it was difficult not to feel angry.
Beautifully written with amazing characters that are bound to stay with you long after you’ve finished their story. This also applies to the side characters as they are pivotal in Reeds development & journey.
Other Aspects I loved ~
*Helena. She has a hard exterior but she is kind, caring and compassionate. 🥰
*The lady in the shop. Such a simple interaction but made me smile. 🛒
*The Diet Soda Club (read it & you’ll understand). 🥤
*Yo-yo. So cute 🪀
*The emotions I experienced. When I go through nearly everything single emotion possible, I know I have connected to the characters/story. ♥️
“Inhale courage. Exhale fear” Love this line
Thank you so much, Walker Books and NetGalley, for the arc of this incredible book.
#dietsodaclub #chazhayden #bookreview #disability #sma #ya #spinalmuscularatrophy #siblings #family #friendshipandlove #bookstagram #walkerbooks #contemporaryya
This book had my heart from the start and never let it go.
Reed and his sister, Bea, are amazing. There relationship is beautiful and the lengths Reed goes to for her is so touching & inspiring. I mean the courage and strength he shows throughout is so heartwarming. And although he does wrong, it’s all because of love.
I cannot even begin to explain the hurt I felt for Reed & Bea regarding their mum. I was so angry with her. Being a mum myself, I don’t believe I would ever leave my child especially knowing how much they needed me. It truly did break my heart. I tried to be sympathetic and understanding of her struggle but it was difficult not to feel angry.
Beautifully written with amazing characters that are bound to stay with you long after you’ve finished their story. This also applies to the side characters as they are pivotal in Reeds development & journey.
Other Aspects I loved ~
*Helena. She has a hard exterior but she is kind, caring and compassionate. 🥰
*The lady in the shop. Such a simple interaction but made me smile. 🛒
*The Diet Soda Club (read it & you’ll understand). 🥤
*Yo-yo. So cute 🪀
*The emotions I experienced. When I go through nearly everything single emotion possible, I know I have connected to the characters/story. ♥️
“Inhale courage. Exhale fear” Love this line
Thank you so much, Walker Books and NetGalley, for the arc of this incredible book.
#dietsodaclub #chazhayden #bookreview #disability #sma #ya #spinalmuscularatrophy #siblings #family #friendshipandlove #bookstagram #walkerbooks #contemporaryya
December 15, 2024
Want to see more bookish things from me? Check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/JayGTheAwkw...
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review*
3.5/5 Stars
When their mom leaves on an unexpected vacation, Reed must care for his 10 year old sister who has Spinal Muscular Atrophy until she returns. He turns to some questionable means to get the money to pay for food and his sister's medical bills.
This was a heart breaking story, that had a hopeful ending. Beatrice, the younger sister was the highlight of the story for me. She was so adorable, and a bit of comic relief in what could have been a very bleak story. The sibling relationship between Reed and Beatrice was sweet! I also really liked the growing relationship between Helena and Reed as well. The concept of the diet soda club was really cute, and I liked that part of the story as well. The fiasco he got up to at school was a bit far-fetched, but just suspend your belief a bit and you'll enjoy the story.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review*
3.5/5 Stars
When their mom leaves on an unexpected vacation, Reed must care for his 10 year old sister who has Spinal Muscular Atrophy until she returns. He turns to some questionable means to get the money to pay for food and his sister's medical bills.
This was a heart breaking story, that had a hopeful ending. Beatrice, the younger sister was the highlight of the story for me. She was so adorable, and a bit of comic relief in what could have been a very bleak story. The sibling relationship between Reed and Beatrice was sweet! I also really liked the growing relationship between Helena and Reed as well. The concept of the diet soda club was really cute, and I liked that part of the story as well. The fiasco he got up to at school was a bit far-fetched, but just suspend your belief a bit and you'll enjoy the story.
January 14, 2025
Genres: Young Adult/Contemporary
I enjoyed this one. Reed, who is in high school, is left to care for his younger sister who was born with SMA. The mother abandoned them with no money for food, rent, or doctor bills. So Reed is forced to get "resourceful" in order to provide....and he isn't even old enough for a driver's license.
Two things stood out in a big way...and they are both linked. I'll start with the characters first. They were well drawn. The author brought them to vivid life as they navigated their survival journey. As a reader, I felt I could see what they saw and feel what they felt. I was pulled right into their plight. I love when that comes through on the page.
And the second thing that I'll mention as a separate thing was the writing. There were many many well placed descriptive strokes that drove certain details home and made this believable. So many times I thought, "Beautiful!" It was well done.
I have 4.5 stars for this one and I wish half stars weren't just a figment of my imagination.
I enjoyed this one. Reed, who is in high school, is left to care for his younger sister who was born with SMA. The mother abandoned them with no money for food, rent, or doctor bills. So Reed is forced to get "resourceful" in order to provide....and he isn't even old enough for a driver's license.
Two things stood out in a big way...and they are both linked. I'll start with the characters first. They were well drawn. The author brought them to vivid life as they navigated their survival journey. As a reader, I felt I could see what they saw and feel what they felt. I was pulled right into their plight. I love when that comes through on the page.
And the second thing that I'll mention as a separate thing was the writing. There were many many well placed descriptive strokes that drove certain details home and made this believable. So many times I thought, "Beautiful!" It was well done.
I have 4.5 stars for this one and I wish half stars weren't just a figment of my imagination.
December 4, 2024
I enjoyed Hayden's first book and decided to listen to the audiobook of the new one. Featuring Beatrice, Reed's sister with spinal muscular atrophy, Reed, and their grieving mother who abandons them when they need her the most.
Reed holds down taking care of his sister's needs after their father died years ago and the mom, who has been an okay mother has now found a new boyfriend who pulls her away from the family. She goes on a mini vacation that becomes an extended vacation where Reed is trying to make ends meet to pay for Beatrice's care and an upcoming surgery without a parent present until it becomes to much. Will mom wake up and be what her kids need her to be? Will Reed's decisions on how to find money to support them be enough and would you do even wrong things to make things right?
The scheming at school seems a bit far-fetched at points, but the immediacy of Reed and Beatrice's needs keep a reader reading.
Reed holds down taking care of his sister's needs after their father died years ago and the mom, who has been an okay mother has now found a new boyfriend who pulls her away from the family. She goes on a mini vacation that becomes an extended vacation where Reed is trying to make ends meet to pay for Beatrice's care and an upcoming surgery without a parent present until it becomes to much. Will mom wake up and be what her kids need her to be? Will Reed's decisions on how to find money to support them be enough and would you do even wrong things to make things right?
The scheming at school seems a bit far-fetched at points, but the immediacy of Reed and Beatrice's needs keep a reader reading.
November 26, 2024
What do you do when you are 17 taking care of your 10-year-old sister with SMA (Skeletal muscle atrophy) and have to pay the medical bills, rent, for food while taking care of her and yourself? Anything of course, even if it is illegal. Reed is just your average 17 year old boy with a sister with a disability. This doesnt stop Beatrice, though. One day, their mom walks out and goes on an extended vacation with some guy she met at the bar. Reed is forced to take care of his sister ensuring she stays well enough to receive life-saving surgery in a few weeks. He soon discovers though that food, medical bills and rent are all so, so expensive without a job or a mom to help out. So, Reed begins scheming ways to make some quick cash to save his sister. She won't die, but this will improve her life drastically.
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November 27, 202411.26.24. Prob 8+, but could be 7. Occasional but infrequent lang. Ref to drinking. Fake IDs.
Reed (17) has been living a pretty guarded life. His father died in a car accident, his sister is suffering from spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), and his mother seems overly invested in her new boyfriend. All of this leads to Reed struggling to keep it together. But then his mother disappears on a "vacation," leaving Reed to take care of Beatrice. But how's he going to feed her? How's he going to pay for the doctor visits? Getting a job is a dead end, until he stumbles into a fake ID business. And that leads to hacking into the school to sell test answers. And the bad decisions keep snowballing just as the bills keep piling up. How will Reed find a way out of this? And is it ever ok to do the wrong thing for the right reasons?
Reed (17) has been living a pretty guarded life. His father died in a car accident, his sister is suffering from spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), and his mother seems overly invested in her new boyfriend. All of this leads to Reed struggling to keep it together. But then his mother disappears on a "vacation," leaving Reed to take care of Beatrice. But how's he going to feed her? How's he going to pay for the doctor visits? Getting a job is a dead end, until he stumbles into a fake ID business. And that leads to hacking into the school to sell test answers. And the bad decisions keep snowballing just as the bills keep piling up. How will Reed find a way out of this? And is it ever ok to do the wrong thing for the right reasons?
November 3, 2024
This book was cute and heartfelt. I really liked Reed, Beatrice, and Helena. Beatrice is really spunky, smart, and one of my favorites. The sibling relationship between her and Reed is very sweet.
The only character that annoyed me tremendously was the mother, of course. This was purposeful, of course, but I also felt like the conversations with her could have been written better. She was so flippant and something about it didn't make sense to me. I understand that she is massively anxious and uncomfortable with what is happening to Beatrice and, of course, the whole premise of the book rests on her abandoning the kids but it just seemed so fake? I can't quite describe it but that piece could have been better.
Otherwise, I liked this one! Finished it in a day!
The only character that annoyed me tremendously was the mother, of course. This was purposeful, of course, but I also felt like the conversations with her could have been written better. She was so flippant and something about it didn't make sense to me. I understand that she is massively anxious and uncomfortable with what is happening to Beatrice and, of course, the whole premise of the book rests on her abandoning the kids but it just seemed so fake? I can't quite describe it but that piece could have been better.
Otherwise, I liked this one! Finished it in a day!
November 21, 2024
If you want a book that will nag at the back of your mind all day and fully demand your attention, this is it. I couldn't stop thinking about Bea and Reed when I wasn't reading and then when I was, I didn't want it to end. The things that people have to deal with are incredible. Reed is 17 and has such a lot of responsibility. He didn't ask for any of it or want it, but there is no way he's going to let his little sister suffer, though, so he just gets on and does the very best he can. Does he always make the right decisions? Definitely not. Are they always for the right reasons? Definitely yes. This was heartbreaking and gut-wrenching at times and at others funny and cringy. Bea is who she is because of her disability not inspire of it. She has a zest for life that more people need.
December 15, 2024
I enjoyed the story but am not sure it's 100% realistic - someone would have reported the two kids living alone with no adult in their lives. Reed Beckett and his little sister Beatrice worked hard to keep their small family together and to address her health needs. She has spinal muscular atrophy SMA, and needs care all the time. She get pneumonia again, and again and again. Dr. Dave tells her she needs surgery and her mother disappears. Luckily Reed has a good friend from his past - Helena. She's known Reed since kindergarten and for the last ten years they have been estranged but she and he get together and together they save the day!
December 6, 2024
4⭐️
🎧
This book made me a bit of an emotional mess. Reed was such a good character and being in his shoes made my heart ache. This story was so beautifully crafted that I couldn’t help but just want the best for them even when they were doing questionable things for noble reasons. His little sister and best friend were amazing side characters and I loved their dynamic and The Diet Soda Club. My only critique of this book is that at times it read more like a middle grade than a YA book but that also didn’t impact my enjoyment of the story at all. While this was sad and heartbreaking it was equally joyous, hopeful and heartwarming.
🎧
This book made me a bit of an emotional mess. Reed was such a good character and being in his shoes made my heart ache. This story was so beautifully crafted that I couldn’t help but just want the best for them even when they were doing questionable things for noble reasons. His little sister and best friend were amazing side characters and I loved their dynamic and The Diet Soda Club. My only critique of this book is that at times it read more like a middle grade than a YA book but that also didn’t impact my enjoyment of the story at all. While this was sad and heartbreaking it was equally joyous, hopeful and heartwarming.
June 17, 2025
This will be a great book discussion book! I struggled at first with the poor choices that were made by Reed, and I'm still not sure that the consequences were severe enough. The discussion, though, comes directly into play with those choices and the tagline of the book: "Have you ever made all the wrong choices for all the right reasons?" Discussion topics can also include grief and therapy, parent relationships, sibling relationships, etc.
Looking forward to sharing this one with high school students!
Looking forward to sharing this one with high school students!
November 18, 2024
What a book! Just a few lines into the book and I already loved it.
It is such a poignant story about teenager who has to look after his sister with spinal muscular atrophy. It is a story about responsibility, unconditional love and harsh reality. It is not an easy book to read as I could feel the weight on the protagonist's shoulders all the time. It might take a strong heart to read it but it is also a must-read. Excellent book.
It is such a poignant story about teenager who has to look after his sister with spinal muscular atrophy. It is a story about responsibility, unconditional love and harsh reality. It is not an easy book to read as I could feel the weight on the protagonist's shoulders all the time. It might take a strong heart to read it but it is also a must-read. Excellent book.
January 15, 2025
A touching story about a teenaged boy forced to make some bad decisions for all the right reasons. The story was well told and I was rooting for Reed. As a mother of a medically complex kid (with the same issues and more than sweet Beatrice) I have never loathed a character as much as I do Reed and Bea's mother. She had me fuming and giving a full ten minute rant to my husband after I finished the book. The ending felt abrupt and sloppily pulled together but I really enjoyed the whole story.
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