All the Impossible Things

This story is woven together with such love and care. I want to go visit Red and her friend Marvin, hang out with the Grooves (Red's new foster family), and get to know all the animals in the petting zoo. These are characters to spend time with. Red has big feelings, and the magical wind she creates makes those feelings concrete. We can see the effects of her anger and frustration by the way the wind affects the physical world. This is a story of family, of loving each other through hard things, and of letting go when you need to. There is such heartbreak and loss in this story, and such joy and hope. Red will have your heart dancing by the end of the book.

Is there a difference between ‘hard’ and ‘impossible’? Between what’s ideal and what’s real? These are the questions eleven-year- old Ruby “Red” Byrd grapples with in Lindsay Lackey’s All The Impossible Things. From a new foster placement on a Colorado petting zoo after the death of her Gamma, Red emerges from her shell like the farm’s old tortoise, Tuck. Tempted by the “tickle of impossible things,” curious Red discovers library books that make her ‘light-headed with wonder,” and forges a friendship with a Hawaiian chef. She also writes to her mom, who suffers from addiction. But when Mom walks out of prison back into the pitfalls of substance abuse, Red has a grown-up choice to make: Does she hold onto a promise, or let go? Readers will find a loyal friend in Red—a girl so sensitive, she can hear the stars sing. They’ll celebrate her inquisitiveness of the natural world—for tornadoes, volcanoes, wind, and snow, for a donkey, a dog, even jellyfish who can start over again “when life gets hard.” Through delicate storytelling, Lackey explores hope and resilience, shifting traditional definitions of ‘family,’ and ‘home’, and presenting the possibilities of forgiveness and hope.

This book succeeded in bringing me to tears multiple times! A very true perspective into the life of a hurt, and healing person. Would definitely recommend!

This is an amazing novel for middle graders up that is beautifully written. I read it with two of my grandsons using FaceTime and it was a great connection for us. Its story about a struggling foster child touched us and kept us riveted to the book.. It beautifully explores what love, family , and friendship really mean and adds touches of magical wind and singing stars. The setting of a petting zoo adds the delight of quirky, beloved animals. The darker side of life is there too but managed with grace and courage.The language is beautiful.

It has everything a good story needs to be a good story except for the fact that the main character is pretty mean.

I loved this book and read it so easily. Its amazing how much emotion is packed into a middle-grade book! This book has inspiring messages about families and hope while also adding in fun magical twists. I grew up loving animals so the bond Red has with Tuck is something I fully understand. I always wished I had magic powers growing up so reading about Red leaning about hers took me back to my childhood. In the end, this book felt like a big hug.

What a layered, heartfelt, and beautiful read. I so loved the story as well as protagonist Red (Marvin is great, too). The author did an especially good job of providing backstory while keeping the pace forward moving. She also used wind and weather to explain Red’s (and her mother’s) emotions in a nuanced and effective way. I loved every page of this and can’t recommend the book enough.

Two part review: From my 11 year old daughter: "I loved this book so much because it has an interesting storyline that you won't find in other books. There is so much suspense that you can't put the book down. I hope there will be a sequel." From Me: Such a wonderful story. Filled with fascinating characters, beautiful relationships, and an amazing girl named Red. You are all in for a treat with this one.