Book Review: Six Impossible Things by Fiona Wood

Members of the Vise Library were given a copy of Six Impossible Things from Novl.  We received a copy of Fiona Woods's book for an honest review.

About the book:

1. Kiss Estelle.

2. Get a job.

3. Cheer my mother up.

4. Try not to be a complete nerd/loser.

5. Talk to my father when he calls.

6. Figure out how to be good.

Nerd-boy Dan Cereill is not quite coping with a whole heap of problems, including a reversal of family fortune, moving, new-school hell, a mother with a failing wedding cake business, a just-out gay dad, and a massive crush on Estelle, the girl next door. His life is a mess, but for now he's narrowed it down to just six impossible things....

In this charming story of one guy's efforts to get it together when his life is falling apart, award-winning author Fiona Wood introduces an irresistible voice and a delightfully awkward character who is impossible to forget.

Dan is having a bit of a rough time.  His dad has not only left their family, but has announced that he is gay.  His dad's business has also gone belly up and left Dan and his family without a penny.  Dan's mom has inherited an old (and smelly) house, but cannot sell anything inside the house that is worth of value.  His mom has decided to start her own business as a wedding cake baker (but also talks someone out of getting married at a consultation).  To say they are struggling, would be a huge understatement.  Throw all of this on top of him being an awkward teenager and starting a new school and you understand Dan's life in a nutshell.  On his first day at his new school the bully of the school picks him out to harass constantly.  He has a very big crush on the girl next door named Estelle.  Dan has to learn to find his way through his new (and very hard) life.  He struggles through this life, but finds a way to appreciate life when it can be really good.  I think this book shows that people can make it through things, even when it seems bleak.   Dan's voice was refreshing and funny at the same time.  You feel for him as he goes through awkward stages of being a teenager (I'm pretty sure we can all relate).  Thanks to Novl for sending this book for us to enjoy!

Buy the book:

     Amazon

     

About the author:

Fiona Wood is the author of young adult novels, Six Impossible Things and Wildlife. Her third book, Cloudwish, will be out next year. Before writing YA fiction, Fiona worked as a television scriptwriter for twelve years, writing everything from soap, and one-hour adult drama, to children’s drama. Prior to this she dropped out of law and completed an arts degree, both at Melbourne University, worked in marketing and in arts management, did some freelance journalism, and studied screenwriting at RMIT. She has served as a judge for the AWGIE Awards (Australian Writers’ Guild) and is an ambassador for The Stella Prize Schools Program. She has two YA children, and lives in Melbourne with her husband.

Connect with the author:

   Twitter

   Website