The Art of Saving the World

by Corinne Duyvis

Overview

One girl and her doppelgangers try to stop the end of the world in this YA sci-fi adventure

When Hazel Stanczak was born, an interdimensional rift tore open near her family’s home, which prompted immediate government attention. They soon learned that if Hazel strayed too far, the rift would become volatile and fling things from other dimensions onto their front lawn—or it could swallow up their whole town. As a result, Hazel has never left her small Pennsylvania town, and the government agents garrisoned on her lawn make sure it stays that way. On her sixteenth birthday, though, the rift spins completely out of control. Hazel comes face-to-face with a surprise: a second Hazel. Then another. And another. Three other Hazels from three different dimensions! Now, for the first time, Hazel has to step into the world to learn about her connection to the rift—and how to close it. But is Hazel—even more than one of her—really capable of saving the world?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781419736872
Publisher:	Amulet Books
Publication date:	09/15/2020
Pages:	400
Sales rank:	1,139,450
Product dimensions:	5.60(w) x 8.40(h) x 1.40(d)
Age Range:	12 - 18 Years

About the Author

Corinne Duyvis is the critically acclaimed author of the YA sci-fi/fantasy novels Otherbound, which Kirkus called “a stunning debut;” On the Edge of Gone, which Publishers Weekly called “a riveting apocalyptic thriller with substantial depth;” and The Art of Saving the World, which Kirkus called “impossible to put down.” She is also the author of the original Marvel prose novel Guardians of the Galaxy: Collect Them All. Corinne hails from the Netherlands. She’s a co-founder and editor of Disability in Kidlit as well as the originator of the #ownvoices hashtag.

Editorial Reviews

09/07/2020

For the past 16 years, Hazel Stanczak has been tied to the interdimensional rift that materialized on her family’s farm in West Asherton, Pa., when she was born, restricting her movements to a mile-and-a-half radius lest the rift spit out anomalies. Under strict government control, she’s unable to experience normality. But then the rift “ loose” and “ away.” In its wake, Hazel encounters alternate-dimension “skewed versions” of herself, plus an exasperated dragon named Neven, who says that Hazel has been chosen to save the world, with her other selves as “last-minute support.” Now the Hazels must defeat the dangerous forces unleashed by the rift and thwart destiny, since to succeed, a specific Hazel must die. Duyvis (On the Edge of the World) subverts the Chosen One trope, with a hero thoroughly unprepared for her burden. Hazel’s depiction as an anxious, sheltered protagonist is expanded by the other Hazels’ reflections of her personality. One is “gay as Hell,” allowing the original Hazel to realize her nascent asexuality, while another, who has endometriosis, represents a real-world alternative. Though the plot and cast feel overstuffed, the story offers a provocative, genre-bending look at exploring identity. Ages 12–up. Agent: Ammi-Joan Paquette, Erin Murphy Literary. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

"Duyvis’ rich, layered character development—grounded in Hazel’s raw, first-person perspective—offers an authentic exploration of questioning sexuality and asexuality, what makes us who we are, and what our responsibilities are to ourselves and to others."

Booklist

"Duyvis capably balances a zippy sci-fi plot that barrels along at a breathless pace with an intriguing look at how one girl in five different worlds could be both the same and different"

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Duyvis capably balances a zippy sci-fi plot that barrels along at a breathless pace with an intriguing look at how one girl in five different worlds could be both the same and different"—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Duyvis’ rich, layered character development—grounded in Hazel’s raw, first-person perspective—offers an authentic exploration of questioning sexuality and asexuality, what makes us who we are, and what our responsibilities are to ourselves and to others."—Booklist

"This is a fast-paced adventure story with the perfect mix of fantasy and coming-of-age realistic fiction."—School Library Journal

". . .The story offers a provocative, genre-bending look at exploring identity."—Publishers Weekly

"The representation of mental health issues is at times so painfully accurate that the novel becomes difficult to read but at the same time, impossible to put down." —Kirkus Review

From the Publisher

09/01/2020

Gr 9 Up—A fantasy adventure blended with a coming-of-age story. Hazel Stanczak, who is white, has never left her small Pennsylvania town due to the interdimensional rift that appeared near her home the day she was born. She struggles with finding herself and questions her sexuality. On her 16th birthday, everything changes when Hazel is called to save the world from an apparent apocalypse. Hazel is joined by other versions of herself with varying character traits from different dimensions, and is forced to overcome her fears by exploring her world and the various versions of her personality, all while closing this rift. Along the way, Hazel and her doppelgängers, along with a team of government researchers and a wise old dragon, battle trolls, defy authority, and believe they can save the world. Throughout the story, Hazel grows from an insecure teen to a confident hero, more comfortable in her own skin and in expressing herself. The main characters are unique and empowering, and sure to entertain. Duyvis is a cofounder of the website Disability in Kidlit and the creator of the #OwnVoices hashtag. VERDICT This is a fast-paced adventure story with the perfect mix of fantasy and coming-of-age realistic fiction.—Christina Pesiri, Island Trees H.S., Levittown, NY

School Library Journal

2020-06-30
Hazel Stanczak is tasked with saving the world, but she’s not alone.

Hazel has always been stuck in place, unable to leave home due to a strange link to an interdimensional rift. Then, on her 16th birthday, the rift spits out copies of her. The Powers That Be have chosen her to save the world from an unknown threat. Accompanied by her doppelgängers and the almost-clichéd sarcastic dragon Neven, Hazel struggles with a deck that’s been stacked against her. All the while she is faced with the question of her own identity and worth in the face of so many duplicate versions of herself. Queer issues, mental health, and race are all discussed through Hazel’s lens of an anxious, questioning, White teen. Multiple characters of color show up, both in important roles, such as Hazel’s biracial half sister, Carolyn, and Chinese adoptive father, and as background characters, like some of Hazel’s classmates. The representation of mental health issues is at times so painfully accurate that the novel becomes difficult to read but at the same time, impossible to put down. Refreshingly, Duyvis finds time to discuss painful periods and what an endometriosis diagnosis means for a teenager. A midnovel twist takes the standard chosen-one plot formula and tips it on its head, then wrings what’s left for all the angst and existential crises it’s worth.

A compelling narrative based around the subversion of generic fantasy and science fiction fodder. (Science fiction. 15-18)

Kirkus Reviews