Eventown

First, I believe in giving kids age-appropriate knowledge to help prepare them for the harsh realities of life, and I think Haydu’s writing is generally constructive in this aim. However, I don’t think she handled her subject well in this book, and wish I hadn’t read this to my 8-year-old. That is my fault, I acknowledge, but I doubt most in the 8-12 year age range are ready for this book. For my family, we really didn’t enjoy the style of writing, and my kids were really only invested in finding out the hinted-at twist, which provides almost all of the main character’s motivation, and which in this first-person narrative really should have been revealed early on. Instead, it was teased out until near the end in what felt manipulative, exploitative and ultimately very insensitive to anyone who has any experience with this trauma. When we finally learned the cause for the characters’ trauma, it was extremely jarring and distressing. I had guessed the twist by that point, but I kept going, naively certain a book meant for 8-12 year olds wouldn’t use such an awful event to string them along. Or that IF it did, surely the author would make it up to us by handling it with sensitivity and care, in a way that helps the audience. NOPE. It was wrenching, and I HIGHLY doubt in a way that is constructive. If any subject ought to be handled carefully, it is this one. Without saying what it is (though you’ve probably guessed) social scientists have shown that how we share information and news around this phenomenon can, done poorly, greatly increase its prevalence. Before you or your kids read this, be sure you’re prepared!