Eventown

Eventown
Corey Ann Haydu
HarperCollins, 2019 326 pages
Grades 5-8
Fantasy

Something sad has happened to Elodee's family. She reacts to the tragedy with anger and picking fights, while her twin sister Naomi retreats inside herself and remains quiet and withdrawn. Mom and Dad haven't been the same either and life at home is droopy and grey. One day Mom and Dad announce that the family is leaving everything behind and moving to Eventown, a place where they visited a few years ago and enjoyed very much. Eventown is much as they remember it. The houses are uniform with perfectly manicured gardens, the ice cream shop changes the featured favor every day to something always delicious, food doesn't burn, the weather is always pleasant, and no one gets sick. The perfection of life in this perfect and comfortable town comes at a price. Individuals must attend a session at The Welcoming Center, where they surrender their stories-both happy and sad. It is a wonderful gift to forget the memories holding severe grief, but the joyful bits are lost as well. Naomi adjusts easily to life in Eventown and seems to be happier than she ever has been. Elodee is not so sure. She is secretly holding onto a few stories and is not prepared to give them up. When unconventional events begin to sprout up in their new and predictable town, fingers are pointed at Elodee's Family. Are the abnormal occurrences a result of Elodee holding onto her memories?

Haydu pens an unusual book that will get readers thinking. Reminiscent of the plot-lines of Margaret Petersen Haddix, this story is a cautionary tale, warning the reader about the price one must pay for a "perfect" life. Kids will wonder if they would also trade all of their heartache for peace-yet while also losing their joyful memories. Residents of Eventown have left their entire pasts behind and though some townsfolk are happy with this arrangement, others are curious about what they are missing. Beyond a great plot-line, this book is lyrically written with a lovely, flowing narrative and plenty of metaphors and symbolism to get brains cranking. My favorite line is "The opposite of worry is hope." This line has kept running through my brain and provided me some much needed inspiration. Readers will experience the realities behind twin-life and understand that though they look alike, twins are two separate individuals. Haydu does not reveal the truth behind the tragedy that leads the family to Eventown until the end, though hints are dropped. The sad tale, once revealed, brought me to tears and I honestly didn't want this book to end. Readers will care about the characters and empathize with their situation. Great for school use, as well as pleasure, this is one of the best books I have read so far this year.