Evie’s twelve and headed for grade eight when her parents, who operate a Jewish faith-based funeral home, enlist her help in dealing with Oren, a boy her age who’s lost both his parents in a car crash. The shock seems to have left him speechless, but Evie (a non-stop talker) manages to kindle an odd relationship with him, partly through quilling, a craft she learned at camp the previous summer. Evie’s an outcast at school, all because of her parents’ family business. Two particularly mean girls torment her, calling her “Corpse Girl” and telling her she smells like death. It takes time, but over the course of the summer, Evie and Oren come to understand what friendship means, and both succeed in helping the other with their personal difficulties as they learn that “caring for people is what really matters.” Note: The author’s father actually operates a Jewish funeral home.

Cautions / Content Warnings: Jewish religious terms are often not immediately explained.
Bibliography: No
Index: No

Source: Books BC - BC Books for Schools

Joanne Levy is the author of the award-winning Sorry For Your Loss, a book set in a funeral home inspired by the one her dad manages. Her other books include The Sun Will Come Out, Fish Out of Water, and Bird Brain. She can usually be found at her computer, either creating spreadsheets (sometimes just for fun) or channeling her younger self into books. Joanne lives in rural Ontario, Canada, with her husband and several pets, one of whom vomited during the writing of this bio.

Joanne Levy's profile page

• Nominated, Saskatchewan Young Readers' Choice Awards - Diamond Willow
• Nominated, Forest of Reading Red Maple Award
• Short-listed, Rocky Mountain Book Award (RMBA)
• Winner, The Canadian Jewish Literary Awards - Youth Literature
• Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens, starred selection
• Nominated, The Governor General’s Literary Awards (GGBooks) - Young People’s Literature Text
• Commended, Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) Sydney Taylor Book Award - Notable Books
• Commended, Young Readers' Choice Book Awards of British Columbia (YRCABC) Red Cedar Book Awards - Honour Book

“This impor­tant top­ic is sen­si­tive­ly han­dled, turn­ing an already excel­lent com­ing-of-age tale into an impor­tant addi­tion to the mid­dle grade bookshelf.”

Jewish Book Council

“There is a potent emotional openness throughout…An enlightening, delicately hopeful, and beautifully rendered story.”

Quill & Quire

★ “A heartfelt and expertly written tale of loss, family, and friendship that will have readers blinking back their tears…Beautiful and sincere.”

Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“This highly discussable novel navigates complex feelings gracefully... Despite the heavy topics this unique novel addresses, it features humor and warmth and characters young readers will care about.”

School Library Journal (SLJ)

“A sincere story about hope, healing, and a blooming friendship amid grief.”

Booklist

“Lotta tears and a lotta hugging in this one, but you won’t mind. Levy comes by her emotions honestly...Really well done from start to finish.”

Betsy Bird, 31 Days, 31 Lists SLJ

“Gentle and honest…Refreshing and will be valuable for readers no matter their religion. Purchase for elementary and middle school libraries and recommend to fans of The Thing About Jellyfish.

School Library Connection

“Levy’s book treats her subject matter and her readers gently and with understanding...While the themes might be painful, the book is anything but sad, and it will give its readers some insight into grief as well some tools and suggestions for dealing with it in a proactive and positive way. Highly Recommended.”

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

“Though this may be a difficult read for some, the care in discussing death and dying, family, friendships, and survivors’ guilt results in a touching story that is a delight to cry through.”

Association of Jewish Libraries

“Exquisite...This book is sensitive, thoughtful, and respectful to the grieving process. Perfect for adults, too.”

Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle