Schneider’s characters shine in this romance, strapped with quirky, nerdy obsessions that many teens will relate to, and supported by realistic voices. The integration of the ghost story is unique. Schneider authentically [captures] the sensation of not knowing where you belong, a feeling many teens know well.” — Booklist
“In a story about letting go and courageously moving forward, Schneider makes the paranormal seem plausible. Readers will readily suspend their disbelief to see how Rose, a relatable heroine, deals with an apparition who grows increasingly bothersome while trying to pursue a meaningful relationship with the boy she loves.” — Publishers Weekly
“Friends, parties, and romance all pull Rose away from the past; but at home, Logan’s ghost drags her right back. Schneider’s premise is an interesting twist on books featuring protagonists dealing with grief.” — School Library Journal
Praise for EXTROADINARY MEANS: “Schneider’s subtlety, combined with themes about learning to live life fully, makes this an easy recommendation for those seeking titles similar in premise to John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars.” — School Library Journal
“A must-read for fans of The Fault in Our Stars.” — TeenReads
“Balancing the hope of new beginnings against the uncertain fates of victims, it’s a novel that should prompt thoughtful discussions.” — Publishers Weekly
“Clever banter, self-deprecating humor and the distinctive characters ensure that this captivating book about life, death, fear, and second chances will fly off the shelves.” — Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
“The perfect read-next for fans of the sick-lit trend and readers looking for a tear-stained romance. — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“Fans of John Green’s blockbuster The Fault in Our Stars who are eager for more of that kind of story will likely be satisfied.” — Booklist
Praise for THE BEGINNING OF EVERYTHING: “Smart writing and a compelling narrator raise this book above ordinary depictions of high school drama. Efficient use of language, evocative descriptions and subtle turns of phrase make reading and rereading this novel a delight.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“This thought-provoking novel about smart kids doing interesting things will resonate with the John Green contingent, as it is tinged with sadness, high jinks, wry humor, and philosophical pondering in equal measures.” — Booklist (starred review)
“Schneider shows remarkable skill at getting inside her narrator’s head as his life swings between disaster and recovery.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Robyn Schneider can write.” — New York Times Book Review
2018-03-20
Ghost stories tend to feature only two kinds of ghosts: kindly ones who want to help and terrifying ones who put people in danger; this novel presents an alternative: a ghost who's just mildly annoying.Logan is a teenager who spends all day watching old episodes of Buffy and Doctor Who and sulking when his sister, Rose, spends time with anyone but him. Four years have passed since Logan died, and the younger sister he used to protect is now taking the PSAT and thinking about dating. Logan is a fantastic metaphor. He represents both Rose's fear of adulthood and the pain and grief she still feels, years after losing her brother. But a ghost who does nothing but whine and binge on Netflix quickly becomes repetitive. Logan starts to feel like a distraction from the main characters. Jamie, Rose's potential boyfriend, is much more complex—laid back and insecure, flirtatious and intellectual—and so are Rose's other high school friends. (They're also fairly diverse: Rose and Logan are Jewish, Jamie has a white father and a Filipino mother, and their school includes interracial and same-sex couples.) The story requires that Rose let go of her brother, but it would be a lot more heart-rending if it felt like more of a struggle.Much too often, Logan isn't just an "invisible ghost." He's hardly there at all. (Fiction. 13-16)
