Awards

• Winner of Silver Birch Award 2014 (Canada)

Overview

Full Product Details

9781554699599

Table of Contents

Reviews

A quiet novel that delves into difficult subjects, Stevenson's latest shines a warm light on both grief and friendship...A thoughtful evocation of an uneasy time on both a personal and global level. -- (03/01/2013) Stevenson gives Jack a straightforward yet sensitive narrative voice, constructing a believable portrait of the anxiety of this moment in history, as well as of how scary and lonely childhood can be. --Publishers Weekly (01/21/2013) [Stevenson] uses world records as a device to draw in readers and tell a deeper tale about love and loss and thinking beyond yourself...Her protagonist...[has] a solid, thoughtful personality and friends who are likeable for their quirks. -- (05/13/2013) A compelling novel, even with the weighty subject, and many of the characters are well rounded and believable. The author also brings hope to Jack's family and readers without giving the story a pat ending. A solid offering. -- (06/01/2013) Stevenson keeps the tone light but the story serious as Jack copes with his own grief and his family's distress...Jack's growth as he makes a new friend and works on his performance caps this sensitive exploration with charm. Perceptive and quite lovely. -- (02/01/2013) This book will capture the attention of all readers, especially male reluctant readers. The historical references, combined with the unusual record-setting attempts, will keep the reader immersed. This book would also fit as a high interest, lower reading level selection for middle school readers. -- (10/01/2013) An excellent story of 12-year-old Jack and his family coping with the loss of another family member...What shines is Jack's determination to bring his mother out of her year-long depressive slump and connect with her authentically once again...Recommended. -- (05/04/2013) Stevenson has captured the innocence of childhood in the face of serious issues while maintaining an enjoyable sense of humour. Jack's struggle to come to terms with his feelings of helplessness over his mother's depression is not only powerful, but his childlike understanding, creative solutions and enduring love for his mother will touch any reader. -- (08/01/2013) Stevenson shares the grief and fears and innuendo of a time unknown to most young readers. But, by making the focus in Record Breaker a local one, with the grief related to the loss of a family member...young readers will be able to empathize. -- (04/29/2013) Stevenson has crafted an enjoyable and moving tale. Jack is a relatable character, built with right balance of flaws and charm that allows the reader to truly explore and examine the story through his eyes...Stevenson's construction and use of dialogue is particularly notable. Word choice and tone matched the situations and characters perfectly, carrying forward both the plot and character development...Record Breaker is an enticing, well-paced read that will delight readers with its engaging dialogue, its historical setting and a well-developed cast of relatable characters. Highly Recommended. -- (02/01/2013)

[Stevenson] uses world records as a device to draw in readers and tell a deeper tale about love and loss and thinking beyond yourself...Her protagonist...[has] a solid, thoughtful personality and friends who are likeable for their quirks. -- (05/13/2013) A compelling novel, even with the weighty subject, and many of the characters are well rounded and believable. The author also brings hope to Jack's family and readers without giving the story a pat ending. A solid offering. -- (06/01/2013) Stevenson keeps the tone light but the story serious as Jack copes with his own grief and his family's distress...Jack's growth as he makes a new friend and works on his performance caps this sensitive exploration with charm. Perceptive and quite lovely. -- (02/01/2013) An excellent story of 12-year-old Jack and his family coping with the loss of another family member...What shines is Jack's determination to bring his mother out of her year-long depressive slump and connect with her authentically once again...Recommended. -- (05/04/2013) A quiet novel that delves into difficult subjects, Stevenson's latest shines a warm light on both grief and friendship...A thoughtful evocation of an uneasy time on both a personal and global level. -- (03/01/2013) Stevenson gives Jack a straightforward yet sensitive narrative voice, constructing a believable portrait of the anxiety of this moment in history, as well as of how scary and lonely childhood can be. --Publishers Weekly (01/21/2013) This book will capture the attention of all readers, especially male reluctant readers. The historical references, combined with the unusual record-setting attempts, will keep the reader immersed. This book would also fit as a high interest, lower reading level selection for middle school readers. -- (10/01/2013) Stevenson has captured the innocence of childhood in the face of serious issues while maintaining an enjoyable sense of humour. Jack's struggle to come to terms with his feelings of helplessness over his mother's depression is not only powerful, but his childlike understanding, creative solutions and enduring love for his mother will touch any reader. -- (08/01/2013) Stevenson shares the grief and fears and innuendo of a time unknown to most young readers. But, by making the focus in Record Breaker a local one, with the grief related to the loss of a family member...young readers will be able to empathize. -- (04/29/2013) Stevenson has crafted an enjoyable and moving tale. Jack is a relatable character, built with right balance of flaws and charm that allows the reader to truly explore and examine the story through his eyes...Stevenson's construction and use of dialogue is particularly notable. Word choice and tone matched the situations and characters perfectly, carrying forward both the plot and character development...Record Breaker is an enticing, well-paced read that will delight readers with its engaging dialogue, its historical setting and a well-developed cast of relatable characters. Highly Recommended. -- (02/01/2013)

Stevenson keeps the tone light but the story serious as Jack copes with his own grief and his family's distress...Jack's growth as he makes a new friend and works on his performance caps this sensitive exploration with charm. Perceptive and quite lovely. -- (02/01/2013) Stevenson has captured the innocence of childhood in the face of serious issues while maintaining an enjoyable sense of humour. Jack's struggle to come to terms with his feelings of helplessness over his mother's depression is not only powerful, but his childlike understanding, creative solutions and enduring love for his mother will touch any reader. -- (08/01/2013) A quiet novel that delves into difficult subjects, Stevenson's latest shines a warm light on both grief and friendship...A thoughtful evocation of an uneasy time on both a personal and global level. -- (03/01/2013) Stevenson gives Jack a straightforward yet sensitive narrative voice, constructing a believable portrait of the anxiety of this moment in history, as well as of how scary and lonely childhood can be. --Publishers Weekly (01/21/2013) [Stevenson] uses world records as a device to draw in readers and tell a deeper tale about love and loss and thinking beyond yourself...Her protagonist...[has] a solid, thoughtful personality and friends who are likeable for their quirks. -- (05/13/2013) A compelling novel, even with the weighty subject, and many of the characters are well rounded and believable. The author also brings hope to Jack's family and readers without giving the story a pat ending. A solid offering. -- (06/01/2013) This book will capture the attention of all readers, especially male reluctant readers. The historical references, combined with the unusual record-setting attempts, will keep the reader immersed. This book would also fit as a high interest, lower reading level selection for middle school readers. -- (10/01/2013) An excellent story of 12-year-old Jack and his family coping with the loss of another family member...What shines is Jack's determination to bring his mother out of her year-long depressive slump and connect with her authentically once again...Recommended. -- (05/04/2013) Stevenson shares the grief and fears and innuendo of a time unknown to most young readers. But, by making the focus in Record Breaker a local one, with the grief related to the loss of a family member...young readers will be able to empathize. -- (04/29/2013) Stevenson has crafted an enjoyable and moving tale. Jack is a relatable character, built with right balance of flaws and charm that allows the reader to truly explore and examine the story through his eyes...Stevenson's construction and use of dialogue is particularly notable. Word choice and tone matched the situations and characters perfectly, carrying forward both the plot and character development...Record Breaker is an enticing, well-paced read that will delight readers with its engaging dialogue, its historical setting and a well-developed cast of relatable characters. Highly Recommended. -- (02/01/2013)

A quiet novel that delves into difficult subjects, Stevenson's latest shines a warm light on both grief and friendship...A thoughtful evocation of an uneasy time on both a personal and global level. -- (03/01/2013) Stevenson gives Jack a straightforward yet sensitive narrative voice, constructing a believable portrait of the anxiety of this moment in history, as well as of how scary and lonely childhood can be. --Publishers Weekly (01/21/2013) A compelling novel, even with the weighty subject, and many of the characters are well rounded and believable. The author also brings hope to Jack's family and readers without giving the story a pat ending. A solid offering. -- (06/01/2013) Stevenson keeps the tone light but the story serious as Jack copes with his own grief and his family's distress...Jack's growth as he makes a new friend and works on his performance caps this sensitive exploration with charm. Perceptive and quite lovely. -- (02/01/2013) This book will capture the attention of all readers, especially male reluctant readers. The historical references, combined with the unusual record-setting attempts, will keep the reader immersed. This book would also fit as a high interest, lower reading level selection for middle school readers. -- (10/01/2013) An excellent story of 12-year-old Jack and his family coping with the loss of another family member...What shines is Jack's determination to bring his mother out of her year-long depressive slump and connect with her authentically once again...Recommended. -- (05/04/2013) Stevenson has captured the innocence of childhood in the face of serious issues while maintaining an enjoyable sense of humour. Jack's struggle to come to terms with his feelings of helplessness over his mother's depression is not only powerful, but his childlike understanding, creative solutions and enduring love for his mother will touch any reader. -- (08/01/2013) [Stevenson] uses world records as a device to draw in readers and tell a deeper tale about love and loss and thinking beyond yourself...Her protagonist...[has] a solid, thoughtful personality and friends who are likeable for their quirks. -- (05/13/2013) Stevenson shares the grief and fears and innuendo of a time unknown to most young readers. But, by making the focus in Record Breaker a local one, with the grief related to the loss of a family member...young readers will be able to empathize. -- (04/29/2013) Stevenson has crafted an enjoyable and moving tale. Jack is a relatable character, built with right balance of flaws and charm that allows the reader to truly explore and examine the story through his eyes...Stevenson's construction and use of dialogue is particularly notable. Word choice and tone matched the situations and characters perfectly, carrying forward both the plot and character development...Record Breaker is an enticing, well-paced read that will delight readers with its engaging dialogue, its historical setting and a well-developed cast of relatable characters. Highly Recommended. -- (02/01/2013)

"""[Stevenson] uses world records as a device to draw in readers and tell a deeper tale about love and loss and thinking beyond yourself...Her protagonist...[has] a solid, thoughtful personality and friends who are likeable for their quirks.""-- ""The Coastal Spectator"" ""A compelling novel, even with the weighty subject, and many of the characters are well rounded and believable. The author also brings hope to Jack's family and readers without giving the story a pat ending. A solid offering.""-- ""School Library Journal"" ""A quiet novel that delves into difficult subjects, Stevenson's latest shines a warm light on both grief and friendship...A thoughtful evocation of an uneasy time on both a personal and global level.""-- ""Booklist"" ""An excellent story of 12-year-old Jack and his family coping with the loss of another family member...What shines is Jack's determination to bring his mother out of her year-long depressive slump and connect with her authentically once again...Recommended.""-- ""Southwestern Ohio Young Adult Materials Review Group"" ""Stevenson gives Jack a straightforward yet sensitive narrative voice, constructing a believable portrait of the anxiety of this moment in history, as well as of how scary and lonely childhood can be.""-- ""Publishers Weekly"" ""Stevenson has captured the innocence of childhood in the face of serious issues while maintaining an enjoyable sense of humour. Jack's struggle to come to terms with his feelings of helplessness over his mother's depression is not only powerful, but his childlike understanding, creative solutions and enduring love for his mother will touch any reader.""-- ""Canadian Children's Book News"" ""Stevenson keeps the tone light but the story serious as Jack copes with his own grief and his family's distress...Jack's growth as he makes a new friend and works on his performance caps this sensitive exploration with charm. Perceptive and quite lovely.""-- ""Kirkus Reviews"" ""This book will capture the attention of all readers, especially male reluctant readers. The historical references, combined with the unusual record-setting attempts, will keep the reader immersed. This book would also fit as a high interest, lower reading level selection for middle school readers.""-- ""Library Media Connection"" ""Stevenson has crafted an enjoyable and moving tale. Jack is a relatable character, built with right balance of flaws and charm that allows the reader to truly explore and examine the story through his eyes...Stevenson's construction and use of dialogue is particularly notable. Word choice and tone matched the situations and characters perfectly, carrying forward both the plot and character development...Record Breaker is an enticing, well-paced read that will delight readers with its engaging dialogue, its historical setting and a well-developed cast of relatable characters. Highly Recommended.""-- ""CM Magazine"" ""Stevenson shares the grief and fears and innuendo of a time unknown to most young readers. But, by making the focus in Record Breaker a local one, with the grief related to the loss of a family member...young readers will be able to empathize.""-- ""CanLit for Little Canadians"""

Author Information

Robin Stevenson is the author of more than twenty-five books for kids and teens, including Pride Puppy!, Pride Colors and Kid Activists: True Tales of Childhood from Champions of Change. The first edition of her nonfiction book Pride: Celebrating Diversity & Community (2016) won a Stonewall Honor and was shortlisted for numerous other awards. Robin lives in Victoria, British Columbia.

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