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Everything Grows
Winner of the Foreword INDIES 2019 Silver Medal for YOUNG ADULT fiction.
Fifteen-year-old Eleanor Fromme just chopped off all of her hair. How else should she cope after hearing that her bully, James, has taken his own life? When Eleanor’s English teacher suggests students write a letter to a person who would never read it to get their feelings out, Eleanor chooses James.
With each letter she writes, Eleanor discovers more about herself, even while trying to make sense of his death. And, with the help of a unique cast of characters, Eleanor not only learns what it means to be inside a body that does not quite match what she feels on the inside, but also comes to terms with her own mother’s mental illness.
Set against a 1993-era backdrop of grunge rock and riot grrrl bands, EVERYTHING GROWS depicts Eleanor’s extraordinary journey to solve the mystery within her and feel complete. Along the way, she loses and gains friends, rebuilds relationships with her family, and develops a system of support to help figure out the language of her queer identity.
Through author Aimee Herman's exceptional storytelling, EVERYTHING GROWS reveals the value of finding community or creating it when it falls apart, while exploring the importance of forgiveness, acceptance, and learning how to survive on your own terms.
Fifteen-year-old Eleanor Fromme just chopped off all of her hair. How else should she cope after hearing that her bully, James, has taken his own life? When Eleanor’s English teacher suggests students write a letter to a person who would never read it to get their feelings out, Eleanor chooses James.
With each letter she writes, Eleanor discovers more about herself, even while trying to make sense of his death. And, with the help of a unique cast of characters, Eleanor not only learns what it means to be inside a body that does not quite match what she feels on the inside, but also comes to terms with her own mother’s mental illness.
Set against a 1993-era backdrop of grunge rock and riot grrrl bands, EVERYTHING GROWS depicts Eleanor’s extraordinary journey to solve the mystery within her and feel complete. Along the way, she loses and gains friends, rebuilds relationships with her family, and develops a system of support to help figure out the language of her queer identity.
Through author Aimee Herman's exceptional storytelling, EVERYTHING GROWS reveals the value of finding community or creating it when it falls apart, while exploring the importance of forgiveness, acceptance, and learning how to survive on your own terms.
236 pages, Paperback
First published May 7, 2019
7 people are currently reading
2124 people want to read
About the author
Aimee Herman
18 books54 followersAimee Herman is the author of "Everything Grows", a queer YA novel that explores mental illness, bullying, coming out and gender identity through 15-year-old Eleanor Fromme's letters to her bully.
Aimee is also a poet with two full length books of poems, meant to wake up feeling (great weather for MEDIA) and to go without blinking (BlazeVOX books) in addition to being widely published in journals and anthologies including BOMB, cream city review, and Troubling the Line: Trans and Genderqueer Poetry and Poetics (Nightboat Books). Aimee is a founding member alongside David Lawton in the poetry band, Hydrogen Junkbox.
Aimee is also a poet with two full length books of poems, meant to wake up feeling (great weather for MEDIA) and to go without blinking (BlazeVOX books) in addition to being widely published in journals and anthologies including BOMB, cream city review, and Troubling the Line: Trans and Genderqueer Poetry and Poetics (Nightboat Books). Aimee is a founding member alongside David Lawton in the poetry band, Hydrogen Junkbox.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
March 27, 2019
The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Everything grows is a great book that deals with a lot of important issues.
After the suicide of James, one of her classmates, Eleanor finds herself writing to him as an assignment given to her by one teacher. Writing to him is definitely a way to put her thoughts on paper and also to make sense of what happened and to understand James better, since when he was alive he was her bully.
This writing journey brings her to discover truths about her surroundings and the people she loves, but more importantly about herself and her identity.
Through this self discovery our main character comes to terms with a lot of stuff and also experiences a personal growth.
I really appreciated the representation in this book and also all the serious topics it tackled.
I strongly recommend this novel.
* --> In this review I decided to use female pronouns because it's how Eleanor/Eler identifies throughout the story. Considering it is never explicitly said what pronouns to use I don't feel it's right to use other pronouns other than the ones she uses herself.
Everything grows is a great book that deals with a lot of important issues.
After the suicide of James, one of her classmates, Eleanor finds herself writing to him as an assignment given to her by one teacher. Writing to him is definitely a way to put her thoughts on paper and also to make sense of what happened and to understand James better, since when he was alive he was her bully.
This writing journey brings her to discover truths about her surroundings and the people she loves, but more importantly about herself and her identity.
Through this self discovery our main character comes to terms with a lot of stuff and also experiences a personal growth.
I really appreciated the representation in this book and also all the serious topics it tackled.
I strongly recommend this novel.
* --> In this review I decided to use female pronouns because it's how Eleanor/Eler identifies throughout the story. Considering it is never explicitly said what pronouns to use I don't feel it's right to use other pronouns other than the ones she uses herself.
January 5, 2019
A story about growing up, coming out, and finding the words to speak your truth.
(Full disclosure: I received a free e-ARC for review through Edelweiss. Trigger warning for suicide, child abuse, and homophobia.)
Fifteen-year-old Eleanor Fromme is hanging at her* best friend Dara's house when she hears that a fellow classmate committed suicide. Her immediate reaction is to run home and chop off her beautiful blonde curls.
Things are complicated, and not just because James was her bully (what's the "right" way to feel when someone you hated and feared dies by suicide?). El's mom Shirley (as El now calls her) attempted the year before, and wound up institutionalized for a brief period. Though Shirley is doing better now - going to group therapy, making friends, even dating again - Eleanor cannot beat back the fear that she'll try again.
Somewhat serendipitously, James's mom Helaine ends up in Eleanor's suicide support group. This, along with her new look (or rather, the reactions it elicits in others), impending puberty, and a journal assignment from her English teacher Ms. Raimondo, opens up the metaphorical floodgates in Eleanor. As she writes letters to her bully, Eleanor discovers that he was also writing to her - giving her the courage to do what he couldn't: come out. But even as Eleanor self-identifies as a lesbian, she still feels like that word doesn't quite fit: "It’s like I’m a meal on a menu with the wrong name. My ingredients make it seem like I’m one dish when really, I swear I’m another."
Luckily, El is surrounded by a pretty wonderful support system: her parents are loving and open-minded; she has a great mentor in her mom's best friend Flor, an out lesbian; and a chance meeting (and subsequent friendship) with Reigh, a trans woman, helps expand El's concept of queerness. Whereas Dara turns out to be a pretty shitty friend, El finds a kindred spirit in Aggie, unabashed feminist and she of the glorious braid. Helaine even takes El under her wing, showering her with the love and acceptance meant for James.
There's so much to love about Everything Grows. As a child of the '90s, I dug all the "historical" references. Everything Grows takes place in the 1993-1994 school year, the ending coinciding with the death of Kurt Cobain. Not gonna lie: Aggie's letter had me in tears. Pretty much all of the music that El and James are into is on my ipod.
I love the abortion conversation, and that Planned Parenthood got a mention.
I love that Aggie is a vegetarian (and El is totally nonjudgmental and accommodating of it), and that there is an ex-boyfriend known as Vegetarian Todd.
I love all the women, from Gret to Flor to Helaine to Reigh to Shirley, and especially how supportive they are of each other, and of El.
I love that Helaine is not a stereotype.
I love that El is an atheist.
I even love El's reaction to her changing body, since I could see so much of myself in it. (I'm not trans, but I too suffered the indignity of family members hounding me to wear a bra. Period, no want.)
Sometimes the language felt a little off: too formal, too childish, and - on the other extreme - too dirty for a teenage girl. (Gah, to be as bold a at sixteen as T'nea. To be that bold at forty!)
Overall, though, Everything Grows is a sweet and moving read about a young person growing up, coming out, and trying to find the right words to speak their truth. The awesome soundtrack is just a bonus.
* I struggled with what pronouns I should use in this review, ultimately settling on "she" and "her" since it's how El thinks of herself throughout most of the story.
http://www.easyvegan.info/2019/05/07/...
(Full disclosure: I received a free e-ARC for review through Edelweiss. Trigger warning for suicide, child abuse, and homophobia.)
Dear James,
I fell asleep clutching your notebook. We sit in classrooms for years and years. Same faces. But we have no idea what we are all swallowing deep, deep inside us. Why were you writing to me, James? Me? And why did you choose me to bully? Do we hate the people we recognize ourselves in? I mean, parts of ourselves that we can’t exactly be?
“Audre Lorde said something really beautiful about that,” Flor said. “A different book than what you’re reading. I’ll have to give to you. She talked about the words we don’t yet have and the power of what happens when we find them.”
“So how do I find my words?”
“Keep reading. Keep searching. You and your words will find one another,” Flor said.
“Dear Kurt,” Aggie paused. “What does it feel like to be gone but still able to speak? Even in your death, you make music. We rip up old flannels to remember you, but all we really need to do is press play. Sew thread into each square and knit them together as you scream ‘Pennyroyal Tea.’ Watch as shirts turn into a blanket to remind us how to stay warm as you call out ‘Lithium’ and you came as you are. There is no such thing as a separation of deaths. I believe we all head into the same place, floating and filling up the air with our memories. Say hello to my mother, please. Tell James he had more friends than he ever knew. I’ll keep playing your music to keep you down here as you sing along above me.”
Fifteen-year-old Eleanor Fromme is hanging at her* best friend Dara's house when she hears that a fellow classmate committed suicide. Her immediate reaction is to run home and chop off her beautiful blonde curls.
Things are complicated, and not just because James was her bully (what's the "right" way to feel when someone you hated and feared dies by suicide?). El's mom Shirley (as El now calls her) attempted the year before, and wound up institutionalized for a brief period. Though Shirley is doing better now - going to group therapy, making friends, even dating again - Eleanor cannot beat back the fear that she'll try again.
Somewhat serendipitously, James's mom Helaine ends up in Eleanor's suicide support group. This, along with her new look (or rather, the reactions it elicits in others), impending puberty, and a journal assignment from her English teacher Ms. Raimondo, opens up the metaphorical floodgates in Eleanor. As she writes letters to her bully, Eleanor discovers that he was also writing to her - giving her the courage to do what he couldn't: come out. But even as Eleanor self-identifies as a lesbian, she still feels like that word doesn't quite fit: "It’s like I’m a meal on a menu with the wrong name. My ingredients make it seem like I’m one dish when really, I swear I’m another."
Luckily, El is surrounded by a pretty wonderful support system: her parents are loving and open-minded; she has a great mentor in her mom's best friend Flor, an out lesbian; and a chance meeting (and subsequent friendship) with Reigh, a trans woman, helps expand El's concept of queerness. Whereas Dara turns out to be a pretty shitty friend, El finds a kindred spirit in Aggie, unabashed feminist and she of the glorious braid. Helaine even takes El under her wing, showering her with the love and acceptance meant for James.
There's so much to love about Everything Grows. As a child of the '90s, I dug all the "historical" references. Everything Grows takes place in the 1993-1994 school year, the ending coinciding with the death of Kurt Cobain. Not gonna lie: Aggie's letter had me in tears. Pretty much all of the music that El and James are into is on my ipod.
I love the abortion conversation, and that Planned Parenthood got a mention.
I love that Aggie is a vegetarian (and El is totally nonjudgmental and accommodating of it), and that there is an ex-boyfriend known as Vegetarian Todd.
I love all the women, from Gret to Flor to Helaine to Reigh to Shirley, and especially how supportive they are of each other, and of El.
I love that Helaine is not a stereotype.
I love that El is an atheist.
I even love El's reaction to her changing body, since I could see so much of myself in it. (I'm not trans, but I too suffered the indignity of family members hounding me to wear a bra. Period, no want.)
Sometimes the language felt a little off: too formal, too childish, and - on the other extreme - too dirty for a teenage girl. (Gah, to be as bold a at sixteen as T'nea. To be that bold at forty!)
Overall, though, Everything Grows is a sweet and moving read about a young person growing up, coming out, and trying to find the right words to speak their truth. The awesome soundtrack is just a bonus.
* I struggled with what pronouns I should use in this review, ultimately settling on "she" and "her" since it's how El thinks of herself throughout most of the story.
http://www.easyvegan.info/2019/05/07/...
March 3, 2019
This is a story of with many different issues that Eleanor faces as a teenager. She faces puberty with no self esteem, her mother has just tried to commit suicide. And now her bully has committed suicide. El's English teacher comes up with the idea for each student to start a journal of letters to someone expressing their thoughts and feelings as a means to cope with his suicide. El chooses to write hers to her bully. I want to thank the publisher through LibraryThing for the ARC to review.
May 13, 2019
A lot of books show up at my home that go unread - to be given away or on the never-ending TBR pile. Thankfully something about "Everything Grows" urged me to read it and now. And that is exactly what this books does to your heart - it plants into your heart and tears it apart as it blossoms.
Aimee Herman gives us the tale of Eleanor. A teen in 1993 (This GenXer is still floored each time she reads a book that is nostalgic for her own high school days and LOVES it. Even if it is hard to read "historical fiction" for that time.) whose bully has recently taken his own life just months after her mom attempted to do the same. At the prompting for her English teacher, Eleanor journals her way through the months after the bully's death, exploring not just their relationship, but also her relationship with her mother, and most importantly herself.
There are definitely places in this book where I felt it was a bit unrealistic, but it works in the end. It all works. 1993 was a huge year for me. I am the same age as Eleanor's sister, who struggles through her first year of college. Every step along Eleanor's journey was deeply felt due to both superb writing, but also personal flashbacks.
I am not sure how this would go over with someone who has survived their own attempt to take their lives, so please consult someone. I do know that this book is full of hope as Eleanor wrestles with what suicide means - is it giving up? Is it giving in? Why? Why not? This book is also about queer youth, as signaled by the rainbow button on the cover. According to the Trevor Project "suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among young people ages 10 to 24 and LGB youth seriously contemplate suicide at almost three times the rate of heterosexual youth." From everything I know of LGB youth and young adults, I would like to think this book is a welcome addition to their lives as it is affirming not just for one's identity, but for the really fucked up ways we all stumble through figuring out that identity.
As a parent, I appreciated the insight into the teen mind. As I get older, I lose the finer touch of my memories. Aimee Herman reminded me of all the drama that happens in our minds and hearts. And why sometimes the best thing a parent can do it simply say, "I love you. I accept you." and the shut the fuck up.
I was going to give this to a parent who spotted me reading it at soccer, but I think I'm going to walk this over to our Gender and Sexuality Center over my lunch break.
Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Aimee Herman gives us the tale of Eleanor. A teen in 1993 (This GenXer is still floored each time she reads a book that is nostalgic for her own high school days and LOVES it. Even if it is hard to read "historical fiction" for that time.) whose bully has recently taken his own life just months after her mom attempted to do the same. At the prompting for her English teacher, Eleanor journals her way through the months after the bully's death, exploring not just their relationship, but also her relationship with her mother, and most importantly herself.
There are definitely places in this book where I felt it was a bit unrealistic, but it works in the end. It all works. 1993 was a huge year for me. I am the same age as Eleanor's sister, who struggles through her first year of college. Every step along Eleanor's journey was deeply felt due to both superb writing, but also personal flashbacks.
I am not sure how this would go over with someone who has survived their own attempt to take their lives, so please consult someone. I do know that this book is full of hope as Eleanor wrestles with what suicide means - is it giving up? Is it giving in? Why? Why not? This book is also about queer youth, as signaled by the rainbow button on the cover. According to the Trevor Project "suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among young people ages 10 to 24 and LGB youth seriously contemplate suicide at almost three times the rate of heterosexual youth." From everything I know of LGB youth and young adults, I would like to think this book is a welcome addition to their lives as it is affirming not just for one's identity, but for the really fucked up ways we all stumble through figuring out that identity.
As a parent, I appreciated the insight into the teen mind. As I get older, I lose the finer touch of my memories. Aimee Herman reminded me of all the drama that happens in our minds and hearts. And why sometimes the best thing a parent can do it simply say, "I love you. I accept you." and the shut the fuck up.
I was going to give this to a parent who spotted me reading it at soccer, but I think I'm going to walk this over to our Gender and Sexuality Center over my lunch break.
Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 21, 2019
Eleanor has had quite the year, a mother who survived a suicide attempt and now a classmate, her own bully in fact, that successfully left this earth far too soon. This is the story of her emotional ride into dealing with these events and discovering her true identity.
Written as if journaling to the deceased classmate, James, the truths Eleanor admits to herself, her family and her "friends" are raw. Set in 1993, it is disturbing to see how far we HAVEN'T come in acceptance over two decades later.
A timeless story of discovering our true self and the gains and losses unfortunately attached to doing so.
*A review copy was provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Written as if journaling to the deceased classmate, James, the truths Eleanor admits to herself, her family and her "friends" are raw. Set in 1993, it is disturbing to see how far we HAVEN'T come in acceptance over two decades later.
A timeless story of discovering our true self and the gains and losses unfortunately attached to doing so.
*A review copy was provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.
January 6, 2019
This is the book I wish I'd had when I was a teen. Having been a high-schooler at the same time the book was set, the nostalgia factor was enjoyably high. Pick up a copy, you won't regret it.
January 19, 2019
There's a lot to love about Everything Grows. Aggie is worthy of all the attention paid to her over the course of the book. El is pretty spiffy most of the time (not everyone could forgive and actually legitimately mourn their bully, even after finding out the reasons behind them being a bully), Helaine is wonderful, and I want nothing but the best for Flor.
Thing is, don't go into this thinking that this is a story just about Eleanor coping with the death of her bully because it's so much more than that to the point that it feels weird having that be the thing that drew me in and made me want to read the book. This is not that book. It's definitely about Eleanor finding herself and dealing with the aftermath of her mother's suicide attempt, as well as trying to help the people left behind when James (the bully) kills himself.
I like that El tries to make these grand gestures (tracking down the correct Brian) only to find out that reality doesn't conform to the Hollywood ideal. I like that El is at a loss to describe how she feels about her body and the disconnect between what's physically happening and what she'd prefer.
I don't really get the rush of nostalgia that other people have mentioned. Sure, lots of touchstones are thrown about (Nirvana, Milli Vanilli) but it's not until Eleanor mentions her Walkman that I remembered that the year is supposed to be 1993. And even then, it doesn't really feel at all 90's-ish til Reigh shows up and I'm not sure I can pinpoint why. It vexes me though, so I'm throwing it out there.
I will say that Aggie's letter to Kurt at the end is wonderful and probably worth the price of admission alone. If it's not, then Eler's joy in wanting to keep going, to find the words and people and things that will make her life be better definitely is.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for this honest review.
Thing is, don't go into this thinking that this is a story just about Eleanor coping with the death of her bully because it's so much more than that to the point that it feels weird having that be the thing that drew me in and made me want to read the book. This is not that book. It's definitely about Eleanor finding herself and dealing with the aftermath of her mother's suicide attempt, as well as trying to help the people left behind when James (the bully) kills himself.
I like that El tries to make these grand gestures (tracking down the correct Brian) only to find out that reality doesn't conform to the Hollywood ideal. I like that El is at a loss to describe how she feels about her body and the disconnect between what's physically happening and what she'd prefer.
I don't really get the rush of nostalgia that other people have mentioned. Sure, lots of touchstones are thrown about (Nirvana, Milli Vanilli) but it's not until Eleanor mentions her Walkman that I remembered that the year is supposed to be 1993. And even then, it doesn't really feel at all 90's-ish til Reigh shows up and I'm not sure I can pinpoint why. It vexes me though, so I'm throwing it out there.
I will say that Aggie's letter to Kurt at the end is wonderful and probably worth the price of admission alone. If it's not, then Eler's joy in wanting to keep going, to find the words and people and things that will make her life be better definitely is.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for this honest review.
July 10, 2019
I am still always astounded that LGBTQ teen fiction exists. There was nothing like this when I was a kid, and had there been, I would have devoured a book like this. Eleanor is trying to make sense of a lot of things in her life, including her mother's depression, her bully's suicide and the attractions she is beginning to have to girls.
Her English teacher encourages her class to start writing letters to anyone, that will never be read or shared, and Eleanor begins writing to James, her newly dead bully. Through her letters to him, she learns a lot about who she is, who her friends are, and what her priorities are.
While some of the plot devices seem a little too convenient, they show Eleanor's growth as a character, and offer hope that she'll be OK. It takes place in the early 90s, which makes Eleanor about the same age as I am now, so the nostalgia factor was very strong. I just wish I could have had something like this when I really needed it.
Her English teacher encourages her class to start writing letters to anyone, that will never be read or shared, and Eleanor begins writing to James, her newly dead bully. Through her letters to him, she learns a lot about who she is, who her friends are, and what her priorities are.
While some of the plot devices seem a little too convenient, they show Eleanor's growth as a character, and offer hope that she'll be OK. It takes place in the early 90s, which makes Eleanor about the same age as I am now, so the nostalgia factor was very strong. I just wish I could have had something like this when I really needed it.
March 13, 2019
Got the ARC from work. As a teenage nirvana-loving trans kid living in northern jersey... yeah, I related to this book lol. A for representation. B- for writing a realistic teenage voice... a lot of “[sentence using a word that every 15 year old would have known for years] (VocAb wORd!! XD) (idk where i learned that word lol),” and the word is always something like “enigmatic” or whatever... Most 15 year olds know those words, and if you want to dumb it down to make the narration sound younger, just don’t use the word at all. “(Vocab Word!)” is some shit I’d write in my diary in 4th grade... other than that, I thought it was a great story, if you’re willing to suspend disbelief a bit and take the relationship between the main characters with a grain of salt. FOR DEAR EVAN HANSEN FANS!!!
Read
December 5, 2018Read an ARC as part of my internship—Looking forward to the release day in May
November 12, 2019
Genre: realistic fiction, YA
2 LGBTQ main characters: 1 gay, 1 lesbian/questioning
1 LGBTQ side character: transgender
Importance of identities to plot: 5/5
Romance: 4/5
Coming out: yes
Notes: Takes place in 1993-94. TW suicide. I like that she goes to a support group because her mom almost died by suicide, but didn’t. It brings a unique perspective.
2 LGBTQ main characters: 1 gay, 1 lesbian/questioning
1 LGBTQ side character: transgender
Importance of identities to plot: 5/5
Romance: 4/5
Coming out: yes
Notes: Takes place in 1993-94. TW suicide. I like that she goes to a support group because her mom almost died by suicide, but didn’t. It brings a unique perspective.
June 24, 2019
Eleanor, our protagonist, happened to be such a refreshing voice in YA lit as I found her openness to question the world, embrace it and share all of that with her loved ones, not without difficulty but with truthful will and desire to do so.
It might come from the fact that I’m the exact opposite, even if I’m double her age it’s nothing new, and I admire people who...dare, I guess?
But really having a young protagonist really engaging with her family and new friends without the « nobody can get me » attitude some teenagers (or any older characters really) often have in books was really pleasant for me to read. And that not to say Eleanor, El, Eler doesn’t have the « usual » coming of age, and coming out story plot, it just very well handled.
The topic of suicide and depression is also a thread in the entirety of the story. It is talked about, discussed at length via all the characters it impacted in an organic and healthy way.
While I think El is braver than me, I did recognized myself a bit in her questioning about suicide in particular. Not to get too deep in this but her situation with her mom, while not entirely similar echoed home, especially as being the one in her position. And it’s not very often I find myself identifying with a character, so it’s to be noted and appreciated by yours truly.
I would not say this book is perfect and you will find tropes and maybe some underdeveloped characters (not many) but in all, I highly recommend the book to anyone. During Pride Month or every other months!
Let’s celebrate the fact that we now get to read more and more stories that ought to have been shared alongside the rest during all those years and use this to learn more about LGBTQIA history.
There is so much to discover and learn and while I am aware this is indeed a novel, not an history book, as it is set in the 90s, it can be a start for a deeper reading experience.
This book is about friends, music, family, the importance of words, written or read, love, self discovery, suicide and acceptance.
There is a lot in this book, and it might turn some people off but I personally did not feel like the author tried « too hard », it just happened to be Eleanor’s story.
It might come from the fact that I’m the exact opposite, even if I’m double her age it’s nothing new, and I admire people who...dare, I guess?
But really having a young protagonist really engaging with her family and new friends without the « nobody can get me » attitude some teenagers (or any older characters really) often have in books was really pleasant for me to read. And that not to say Eleanor, El, Eler doesn’t have the « usual » coming of age, and coming out story plot, it just very well handled.
The topic of suicide and depression is also a thread in the entirety of the story. It is talked about, discussed at length via all the characters it impacted in an organic and healthy way.
While I think El is braver than me, I did recognized myself a bit in her questioning about suicide in particular. Not to get too deep in this but her situation with her mom, while not entirely similar echoed home, especially as being the one in her position. And it’s not very often I find myself identifying with a character, so it’s to be noted and appreciated by yours truly.
I would not say this book is perfect and you will find tropes and maybe some underdeveloped characters (not many) but in all, I highly recommend the book to anyone. During Pride Month or every other months!
Let’s celebrate the fact that we now get to read more and more stories that ought to have been shared alongside the rest during all those years and use this to learn more about LGBTQIA history.
There is so much to discover and learn and while I am aware this is indeed a novel, not an history book, as it is set in the 90s, it can be a start for a deeper reading experience.
This book is about friends, music, family, the importance of words, written or read, love, self discovery, suicide and acceptance.
There is a lot in this book, and it might turn some people off but I personally did not feel like the author tried « too hard », it just happened to be Eleanor’s story.
February 10, 2019
This is a very clever way of looking at a myriad of issues through the eyes of a teenager. We first meet Eleanor while she is dealing with her mother's latest suicide attempt. Making this even more compelling for Eleanor is the suicide of a fellow student, James, a student who had a history of bullying Eleanor. Fortunately for Eleanor she has a new English teacher who suggested that her students start a journal where each would write letters to a person where they expressed their thoughts and feelings as a way to cope with this tragedy, and any other issues they had concerns about. These journals would not be read by anyone else or graded, making them more effective. This was a wonderful way to see how Eleanor dealt with the issues surrounding suicide, sexual identity, divorce, family issues, abortion, dating, friendship and growing up through her eyes. This is a wonderful book for every teen who questions who they are as well as family members who wish to have insights into these issues.
April 3, 2019
This book was provided to me in e-ARC format by the publisher through Edelweiss for review purposes
There are some pretty intense themes in this one including: suicide, depression, homophobia, and child abuse
"I feel something in me, something that feels incomplete. Something that feels unspoken."
I think one of the most important themes in this book is coming into and defining yourself. Learning that because some one labels you something doesn't mean its your full definition. I like that throughout the book Eleanor feels more and more open as she explores herself and what it means to be gay. That there isn't just one set definition. Its far more about who someone is than what they are.
Overall I enjoyed this book and was thankful for the opportunity to read it in advance. I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys coming out novels and books where the main character is just figuring out where they fit in the world. We don't always have it all figured out.
There are some pretty intense themes in this one including: suicide, depression, homophobia, and child abuse
"I feel something in me, something that feels incomplete. Something that feels unspoken."
I think one of the most important themes in this book is coming into and defining yourself. Learning that because some one labels you something doesn't mean its your full definition. I like that throughout the book Eleanor feels more and more open as she explores herself and what it means to be gay. That there isn't just one set definition. Its far more about who someone is than what they are.
Overall I enjoyed this book and was thankful for the opportunity to read it in advance. I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys coming out novels and books where the main character is just figuring out where they fit in the world. We don't always have it all figured out.
June 18, 2019
Everything Grows is the story of a young adult who first goes by Eleanor but then later finds comfort in the name Eler.
I enjoyed this book despite the heavy topics of a classmate who commits suicide. James is a big part of the book since he has a journal where he wrote letters to Eler.
The voice of the MC was very appealing, I enjoyed the unfiltered view into complex family relationships, the coming out arc was also lovely since it was positive with the one exception of the MC's childhood friend who.
I liked that this book talked about sex, being ready for it and not, wanting it and not. It is set in the year 1993 and heavily uses the term "transsexual". Since I'm not very knowledgable about history, I won't comment on it.
I did like that there is a trans woman whose role in Eler's life is quite positive. There is deadnaming, however, and Reigh's mom is extremely transphobic so those scenes might be quite triggering.
This book is a coming of age, coming out arc, focusing on family, friendship, mental illness, and queerness. I liked it.
I enjoyed this book despite the heavy topics of a classmate who commits suicide. James is a big part of the book since he has a journal where he wrote letters to Eler.
The voice of the MC was very appealing, I enjoyed the unfiltered view into complex family relationships, the coming out arc was also lovely since it was positive with the one exception of the MC's childhood friend who.
I liked that this book talked about sex, being ready for it and not, wanting it and not. It is set in the year 1993 and heavily uses the term "transsexual". Since I'm not very knowledgable about history, I won't comment on it.
I did like that there is a trans woman whose role in Eler's life is quite positive. There is deadnaming, however, and Reigh's mom is extremely transphobic so those scenes might be quite triggering.
This book is a coming of age, coming out arc, focusing on family, friendship, mental illness, and queerness. I liked it.
October 16, 2023
It took me a lot longer to get through this book than it should've, but I had a hard time getting into it. I like Eleanore/Eler as a main character ok, and the epistolary style is something that's done well here, but I'm not sure what it was that didn't really connect with me.
I feel like some parts are a little unbelievable, but I do like that El figures out more about herself over the course of the school year. She's only 15 and has a lot going on in her life. This book discusses sexual orientation, gender identity, different kinds of relationships (friends, family, with yourself), suicide, crushes and high school.
I feel like some parts are a little unbelievable, but I do like that El figures out more about herself over the course of the school year. She's only 15 and has a lot going on in her life. This book discusses sexual orientation, gender identity, different kinds of relationships (friends, family, with yourself), suicide, crushes and high school.
May 7, 2019
Everything Grows by Aimee Herman is an introspective young adult novel.
Eleanor Fromme's reaction to the news that her classmate who bullied her, James, committed suicide leads to unforeseen consequences. Her best friend Dara's shocking comments serve as a catalyst to a realization that Eleanor has struggled to articulate for quite some time. In the midst of this uncertainty, she is also still grappling with her mother Shirley's suicide attempt and Eleanor's fears that she will try again. Her journey to understand herself is viewed through a class assignment in which Eleanor writes diary format letters to James. By the end of the assignment, Eleanor has a better understanding of herself, yet there are still layers she has yet to explore.
Eleanor's voice is quite engaging as she ponders the shifts within herself. Her hurt at Dara's rejection is tempered by her unexpected friendship with new student Aggie. Her lingering concerns about her mother's mental health issues are realistically depicted and rather poignant. With her oldest sister Greta off at college, Shirley's best friend, Flor, provides Eleanor with a steadying influence and someone to confide in as she becomes more comfortable with who she is. Meeting James's mother, Helaine, gives Eleanor access to James's diary where she learns she and her bully have more in common than she thought possible.
Everything Grows is a thought-provoking young adult novel that is insightful and reflective. The characters are well-developed and likable. Aimee Herman deftly handles sensitive subject matter in a forthright and realistic manner. The novel ends on a positive note, but Eleanor's journey is not yet complete since she is still wrestling with other parts of her sexual identity.
Eleanor Fromme's reaction to the news that her classmate who bullied her, James, committed suicide leads to unforeseen consequences. Her best friend Dara's shocking comments serve as a catalyst to a realization that Eleanor has struggled to articulate for quite some time. In the midst of this uncertainty, she is also still grappling with her mother Shirley's suicide attempt and Eleanor's fears that she will try again. Her journey to understand herself is viewed through a class assignment in which Eleanor writes diary format letters to James. By the end of the assignment, Eleanor has a better understanding of herself, yet there are still layers she has yet to explore.
Eleanor's voice is quite engaging as she ponders the shifts within herself. Her hurt at Dara's rejection is tempered by her unexpected friendship with new student Aggie. Her lingering concerns about her mother's mental health issues are realistically depicted and rather poignant. With her oldest sister Greta off at college, Shirley's best friend, Flor, provides Eleanor with a steadying influence and someone to confide in as she becomes more comfortable with who she is. Meeting James's mother, Helaine, gives Eleanor access to James's diary where she learns she and her bully have more in common than she thought possible.
Everything Grows is a thought-provoking young adult novel that is insightful and reflective. The characters are well-developed and likable. Aimee Herman deftly handles sensitive subject matter in a forthright and realistic manner. The novel ends on a positive note, but Eleanor's journey is not yet complete since she is still wrestling with other parts of her sexual identity.
July 29, 2020
So glad I finally read this book. At first I was disappointed I didn’t pick it up sooner, but now I’m glad I waited. I don’t think I would have enjoyed it as much or gotten as much out of it if I’d read it last year or even last month. This is a special story about a girl who is finding herself and learning it’s okay to not fit in. Absolutely loved it!
April 25, 2019
Please see my review on Amazon.com under C. Wong. Thank you!
June 9, 2019
Thought provoking. A wonderful introspection of who we are and what we can become. The whys and wherefores of or journey's and how to deal with our internal sense of who we are.
February 14, 2020
I don't know. It wasn't terrible but much like the main character, the book seemed top be missing something.
February 9, 2020
While 15 year old Eleanor is still trying to deal with the fact that her mother survived a suicide attempt, she learns that a boy in her class who's been bullying her has committed suicide. In response, and without knowing why, she cuts off all her hair and is then labeled a lesbian in school, including by her best friend, who quickly backs away. In an effort to make sense of all of this, Eleanor begins to write letters to James, the boy who committed suicide as part of an English class assignment that then becomes a vehicle for her own self-discovery.
This book, narrated for the most part by Eleanor's letters to James, is character-driven as opposed to plot driven. It is an intense and well-written examination of self-discovery, not only focused on sexual orientation, but in the end, on gender identity as well.
This book, narrated for the most part by Eleanor's letters to James, is character-driven as opposed to plot driven. It is an intense and well-written examination of self-discovery, not only focused on sexual orientation, but in the end, on gender identity as well.
December 9, 2019
Check out my review on my blog You Know You Wanna Read It: https://willteenbooks.blogspot.com/20...
November 2, 2019
I friggin loved this book !!!
February 11, 2020
* 4.5 Stars *
July 31, 2019
This is one that I wish had been around when I was a teenager. Eleanor's story is one that many teens and adults would benefit from reading. Predictable in some places, but overall strong character development and plot. I appreciated the fact that while we're asked to sympathize with Eleanor's bully, we're NOT asked to excuse his behavior. The book still addresses how harmful his behavior was.
June 24, 2020
This book is an interesting and engaging look at the struggle that non-conforming LGBTQ+ youth must face as they grow into themselves. It brings a voice to the least addressed experiences in the current YA LGBTQ+ fiction cannon. Working with a number of transgender youth as a therapist, I can see how this would become a staple on the shelves of many of them and be a much sought after addition to their personal libraries.
February 19, 2021
A copy of the novel was provided by the publisher for review.
I think the first thing anyone needs to know about Everything Grows is that one of the most prevalent themes throughout the novel is suicide. I almost put it down because of this but I decided to give it a go because Everything Grows sounded interesting, and I love supporting queer books by people that aren’t published with the big five.
I am pretty glad that I ended up finishing Everything Grows after our rocky beginning. I think that it’s quite unlike any of the queer stories I’ve read, which is saying a lot because I’ve read literally hundreds of queer books over the years and I think it takes a lot for one to really stand out in terms of queer content. But Everything Grows did that because it followed Eleanor figuring out her sexuality pretty easily, but then having trouble figuring out her gender identity. I feel like oftentimes it’s a character figuring out one or the other, or already having figured out one and on the journey to figuring out the other.
While I enjoyed the queer aspect of Everything Grows there were some things I wasn’t so sure about. The first is the time in which the book is set, which is 1993. 1993 isn’t eons ago, but it is long ago enough that a 15 year old growing up in the 90s would have had a vastly different time than a 15 year old growing up right now. Especially a queer 15 year old. But I don’t think this was executed particularly well. Yes, there were references and events included that happened in that time but while I was reading Everything Grows I thought that it could have been set now and it wouldn’t have been much different. All in all, it kind of felt like a book set now but minus the use of a mobile phone. Which you can do! Not every teenager has access to a mobile phone or a laptop, so there’s no need to rewind time in order for that to be the case.
Because of the time in which it was set, some of the language in Everything Grows was a bit awkward to say the least. Eleanor meets a trans woman, Reigh, at a coffee shop and Reigh introduces herself as a transsexual. I know that there are plenty of people who still use that as a self identifying term, but to see it used multiple times in the book just made me feel uncomfortable because of how the term is viewed now. I tried to remind myself that it was being used because of the time period but then I would question the reason behind the time setting again. Nevertheless Reigh plays a pretty important role in Eleanor realising that she’s probably not cisgender. Eleanor never outright says that and at the end of the book she is still discovering herself but that’s okay. We don’t always need to read about a character completely finding themselves in the short time we’re privy to their lives.
There were a lot of other things covered in Everything Grows, like dealing with the suicide of a classmate who bullied you but had more in common with you than you had ever thought, going to group therapy, dealing with the attempted suicide of a parent, being with someone physically for the first time, reconciling religion and queer identity, losing a friend because of their inability to accept who you are, and finding friends who love you no matter what. Everything Grows never felt like it tackled too much, and I think that’s a testament to the talent of the author. It genuinely felt like reading about a young person’s journey through a few months of one of their most tumultuous years. Because of this I think there are a lot of things readers can gain from Everything Grows.
© 2019, Chiara @ Books for a Delicate Eternity. All rights reserved.
"trigger warning: suicide themes, suicide of a classmate, reference to past attempted suicide of a parent, abortion (sibling's), use of ableist language, bullying, homophobia, homophobic language, reference to transphobia, reference to death of a pet, reference to death of a parent (cancer), reference to death of a classmate (head trauma from falling), depictions of blood, reference to child abuse
I think the first thing anyone needs to know about Everything Grows is that one of the most prevalent themes throughout the novel is suicide. I almost put it down because of this but I decided to give it a go because Everything Grows sounded interesting, and I love supporting queer books by people that aren’t published with the big five.
I am pretty glad that I ended up finishing Everything Grows after our rocky beginning. I think that it’s quite unlike any of the queer stories I’ve read, which is saying a lot because I’ve read literally hundreds of queer books over the years and I think it takes a lot for one to really stand out in terms of queer content. But Everything Grows did that because it followed Eleanor figuring out her sexuality pretty easily, but then having trouble figuring out her gender identity. I feel like oftentimes it’s a character figuring out one or the other, or already having figured out one and on the journey to figuring out the other.
While I enjoyed the queer aspect of Everything Grows there were some things I wasn’t so sure about. The first is the time in which the book is set, which is 1993. 1993 isn’t eons ago, but it is long ago enough that a 15 year old growing up in the 90s would have had a vastly different time than a 15 year old growing up right now. Especially a queer 15 year old. But I don’t think this was executed particularly well. Yes, there were references and events included that happened in that time but while I was reading Everything Grows I thought that it could have been set now and it wouldn’t have been much different. All in all, it kind of felt like a book set now but minus the use of a mobile phone. Which you can do! Not every teenager has access to a mobile phone or a laptop, so there’s no need to rewind time in order for that to be the case.
Because of the time in which it was set, some of the language in Everything Grows was a bit awkward to say the least. Eleanor meets a trans woman, Reigh, at a coffee shop and Reigh introduces herself as a transsexual. I know that there are plenty of people who still use that as a self identifying term, but to see it used multiple times in the book just made me feel uncomfortable because of how the term is viewed now. I tried to remind myself that it was being used because of the time period but then I would question the reason behind the time setting again. Nevertheless Reigh plays a pretty important role in Eleanor realising that she’s probably not cisgender. Eleanor never outright says that and at the end of the book she is still discovering herself but that’s okay. We don’t always need to read about a character completely finding themselves in the short time we’re privy to their lives.
There were a lot of other things covered in Everything Grows, like dealing with the suicide of a classmate who bullied you but had more in common with you than you had ever thought, going to group therapy, dealing with the attempted suicide of a parent, being with someone physically for the first time, reconciling religion and queer identity, losing a friend because of their inability to accept who you are, and finding friends who love you no matter what. Everything Grows never felt like it tackled too much, and I think that’s a testament to the talent of the author. It genuinely felt like reading about a young person’s journey through a few months of one of their most tumultuous years. Because of this I think there are a lot of things readers can gain from Everything Grows.
© 2019, Chiara @ Books for a Delicate Eternity. All rights reserved.
"trigger warning: suicide themes, suicide of a classmate, reference to past attempted suicide of a parent, abortion (sibling's), use of ableist language, bullying, homophobia, homophobic language, reference to transphobia, reference to death of a pet, reference to death of a parent (cancer), reference to death of a classmate (head trauma from falling), depictions of blood, reference to child abuse
December 1, 2019
First off, I love the fact that this novel is set in the early 90s (when I was a teen) because sometimes it's nice to feel that instant nostalgia for the characters. This book has a lot going on, which is very much realistic for teens from any era.
Eleanor has cut her hair and stirred up a lot of drama around her. She's dealing with the suicide of a classmate who bullied her, and now people are thinking Eleanor is a lesbian due to her haircut. Eleanor isn't really sure about her sexuality and begins to question everything as she grows as a person.
This novel was heartbreaking and beautifully written. The main characters were well-developed, but a handful of secondary characters felt a bit flat and only seemed to be on board to check a diversity box. I think many people who enjoy reading realistic YA will enjoy reading about Eleanor's growth.
Eleanor has cut her hair and stirred up a lot of drama around her. She's dealing with the suicide of a classmate who bullied her, and now people are thinking Eleanor is a lesbian due to her haircut. Eleanor isn't really sure about her sexuality and begins to question everything as she grows as a person.
This novel was heartbreaking and beautifully written. The main characters were well-developed, but a handful of secondary characters felt a bit flat and only seemed to be on board to check a diversity box. I think many people who enjoy reading realistic YA will enjoy reading about Eleanor's growth.
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