Everything is Fine

By: Ann Dee Ellis

Summary:
Stuck at home caring for her severely depressed mother and abandoned by her father, Mazzy has only the day-to-day dramas of her neighborhood to keep her busy. But between flirting with the boy next door and worrying about the fact that she's flat-chested, Mazzy has to face the fact that her mom is emotionally paralyzed by a family tragedy. As readers delve into the story, they'll eventually discover what it was that tore Mazzy's family apart, and they'll see what it takes to put it back together. Despite its serious subject matter, Mazzy brings humor to the trying age of adolescence and gives readers just the kind of awkward, troubled, and endearing character they will gladly embrace. (from Amazon)

Review:
Character Development: 5/10
Originality: 6/10
Overall Enjoyment: 5/10
Ending: 5/10
Voice: 8/10
Recommendation: 7/10
Total Score: 36
Grade: B

Rating:
Cussing: 1/10
Drugs, Alcohol, Etc.: 1/10
Sexual Content: 2/10
Aimed at: 13 and up

Other:
# of pages: 154
Written in: first person narrative, preteen girl, verse
Released on: March 3, 2009
Tone: sympathetic, emotional, and hopeful
Pros: great voice and descriptions of Mazzy's thoughts of the world around her
Cons: lack of desctiptions of Mazzy and lack of a truly touching ending that this book deserved

Written Review:
What can I say about Everything is Fine. Everything in this book was....fine. There weren't any definite flaws but I didn't fall in love with this book either. I got a feel for some of the characters but I still felt like I never really knew any of them. I know some people will disagree with me but I personally loved how the book was written. I guess you could call the style verse but I think it was more than that. It was a 10 or 11 year old's thoughts. Not edited or censored or trying to please anyone. They were just there bluntly staring at you leaving you wondering who the heck this self-sufficient, rude, needy, sweet, young girl was. I liked the memories, the plot, and the writing but the book seemed to drag on the mystery of why Mazzy's mom was so depressed and I didn't really like that. It did hint gently through Mazzy's memories but the real reason was so shockingly tragic and horrible it kind of ruined the book for me. I liked the author's voice though. It was so blunt and truthful and real. This book was also really fast paced but it definitely wasn't a light read to me. The ending was good in one way but in another I wanted more. I don't think the conclusion really finished the book but I don't know how it could be changed to be any better either. I loved parts of it, hated some of it, but liked most of it so overall Everything is Fine is a novel worth checking out just don't expect it to top your all time favorites list.

-Jill