Every Little Thing in the World

Gr 10 Up—Sydney Biggs, is smart, charming, and has it all. The only problem is that the 16-year-old private school sophomore is secretly pregnant. When Sydney and her best friend, Natalia, steal a car to confront the father at a party, they are caught by the police. Sydney's parents send her to a tough-love wilderness camp in Canada. In the camp, Sydney is supposed to be roughing it and thinking about the direction of her life—but all she can focus on is her pregnancy. Should she get an abortion, like her mother would want? Should she keep the baby, like Natalia thinks she should? The other campers are also dealing with issues such as sexual orientation and even murder. Nina de Gramont's novel (Atheneum, 2010) offers an authentic, sensitive snapshot of late adolescence and raises thought-provoking questions regarding pregnancy, sex, abuse, drugs, and other teen issues. She masterfully captures hope amidst angst and has a surprise for listeners at the end of the story. Abby Craden's narration provides a realistic portrayal of Sydney. Recommended for fans of realistic teen fiction, such as Laurie Halse Anderson's Wintergirls (Viking, 2009; Brilliance Audio).—Terry Ann Lawler, Phoenix Public Library, AZ