The History of Everything

January 1, 2025

Gr 7 Up-Agnes and Daisy are high school best friends who grew up together. An archive of their friendship has even been documented in a scrapbook called "The History of Everything" that Daisy's grandma made for them when they were eight. When Agnes's mother announces that she has accepted a new job and that they are moving at the end of the summer, the friends set out to complete a checklist of summer activities that has been waiting for them since they set the book aside. Checking off items on the list starts out perfectly and puts them on track for the best summer ever, but when Daisy starts dating Noah, plans take a backseat to the new relationship. Evans explores themes of heartbreak within the context of female friendships as Agnes grapples with the inevitable move compounded by the sudden shift in Daisy's willingness to complete the list, culminating in a devastating falling out between the two. Anyone who has experienced a best friend breakup will recognize the pain the two feel. Readers will root for both girls as they cope in their own ways and begin to heal. Evans's expressive illustrations effectively communicate emotion and growth. VERDICT Evoking parallels to Daniel Clowes's Ghost World, but with far less discomfort and angst, this book is an ultimately feel-good examination of friendship.-Sarah Maciejewski

Copyright 2025 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 1, 2024
Daisy and Agnes have been best friends forever, but everything goes sideways in this sharply observed graphic novel about their last summer together before Agnes moves away. Agnes doesn't want to leave, and even knowing they have all summer together, she and Daisy, who stand out at school for their goth style, are distraught over their impending separation. But when Daisy remembers their childhood scrapbook, "The History of Everything," with its giant summer checklist, Agnes latches onto the idea of recreating it. Together they compile the ultimate bucket list of summer activities, a perfect way, as Daisy says, "to make these last months you're here count." Perfect, that is, until Daisy meets new kid in town Noah, and the plan--and maybe even the girls' friendship--threatens to fall apart as Daisy chooses Noah over Agnes one time too many. The artwork and panel design are strong, with bold lines, clean backgrounds, and atmospheric blocks of color. However, the plot suffers from some unresolved elements, and the hasty conclusion might frustrate readers who are looking for more than a pat resolution. Still, with its honest look at the natural anxieties surrounding significant change, this title lands as a solid debut from a thoughtful creator. Main characters present white. Despite some weaknesses, an accurate depiction of both the volatility and the deep strength of high school friendships. (character designs and sketches)(Graphic fiction. 14-18)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Starred review from February 1, 2025
Grades 8-12 *Starred Review* Opening scene: the coolest girl you could ever meet. Daisy puts on killer platform boots, has excellent black eyeliner and lipstick, wears layered shirts perfectly distressed, and sports purple highlights in her hair. Daisy texts her best friend, Agnes, equally cool with red dip-dyed hair and late waking up for the last day of school. These two gothy best friends have the whole summer ahead of them, when Agnes' mom blows everything to bits--they're moving at the end of the summer. Devastated but not deterred, the duo unearths a scrapbook during Agnes' packing titled "the history of everything," in which they had documented their childhood escapades. Now they're both determined to fill the scrapbook with a bucket list of friendship. But Daisy meets a new guy and makes some new friends, and suddenly their plans keep getting twisted beyond what Agnes actually wants to do. Creative use of color (and sick goth outfits) reigns throughout--Daisy's purple palette transitions to blue as she grows, while Agnes remains wholly categorized by her fiery red. In a story filled with expected but thoughtfully conveyed teen angst--picture slammed doors, slumping down on the ground with welled-up tears, arguments in the rain--Evans carefully delves into the challenges of growing up, best friendship, and welcoming new people and ideas into your life when things so far have always been the same.

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