Evie Walman is not obsessed with death. She does think about it a lot, though, but only because her family runs a Jewish funeral home. At twelve, Evie already knows sheโs going to be a funeral director when she grows up. So what if the kids at school call her โcorpse girlโ and say she smells like death? Theyโre just mean and donโt get how important it is to have someone take care of things when your world is falling apart. Evie loves dusting caskets, polishing pews, and vacuuming the chapelโand on funeral days, she dresses up and hands out tissues and offers her condolences to mourners. She doesnโt normally help her parents with the grieving families directly, until one day when they ask her to help with Oren, a boy who was in a horrific car accident that killed both his parents. Oren refuses to speak and Evie, who is nursing her own private grief, is determined to find a way to help him deal with his loss.
The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.
Praise for previous books by Joanne Levy:
โLevy's narrative is spot on.โโBooklist review for The Sun Will Come Out
โThe story gives voice to the experience of Jewish preteens; chronic illness and disability are also sensitively tackled in this complex tale about difference, acceptance, and self-confidence. A heartfelt tear-jerker about love, friendship, and courage.โโKirkus Reviews review for The Sun Will Come Out
โUplifting, gentle...Exudes inter-generational warmth, family love, and friendship.โโAssociation of Jewish Libraries review for Fish Out of Water
โThough brief, this text masterfully connects the toxic masculinity to its roots in deep misogyny, making Fish a hero people of all genders can stand up and cheer for. All readers will appreciate this bookโs nuanced messaging around gender roles and trusting yourself.โโKirkus Reviews, review for Fish Out of Water
Joanne Levy is the author of a number of books for young people, including Double Trouble and Fish Out of Water in the Orca Currents line and the middle-grade novels The Sun Will Come Out and Small Medium At Large, which was nominated for the Red Maple Award. She lives in Clinton, Ontario.