Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Schultz
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Inventive teen romance blurs notions of gender, reality.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 5 parent reviews
Based on 25 kid reviews
Kids say this book presents a unique story that explores themes of love, empathy, and respect, while tackling provocative issues like substance use, depression, and relationships. However, opinions vary wildly, with some praising its emotional depth and intriguing concept, while others criticize the portrayal of characters and deem the mature themes inappropriate for younger audiences.
- empathy and respect
- mature themes
- emotional depth
- character portrayal
- intriguing concept
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
EVERY DAY is about a character called "A," an emotionally and intellectually fully formed, genderless person who wakes up every day inhabiting the body of a different teen; for one day only, "A" becomes part of that person's home, life, and family. Despite this fantastical premise, "A" faces very realistic -- and very troubling -- situations involving family life, romantic relationships, and substance abuse. In the course of the novel, "A" reveals his/her secret to two people: one, a girl he loves; the other, a boy to whom he feels he owes reparations. In different ways, each of these revelations makes "A" quite vulnerable and ever more determined to find a way for love to transcend his/her troubled existence.
Is It Any Good?
David Levithan's novels usually have some sort of hook, and this one is so clever. "A"'s nonphysical self is neutral of gender, sexual orientation, and race, and yet he/she embodies so many different American experiences. It's a fascinating premise, made believable by the strong, consistent voice Levithan gives his character and the book's realistic emotions and events.
Serious issues like teen drug and alcohol use, sexuality, and first love are all familiar young-adult fare, but they're addressed in such a novel way here that none of the heavy stuff seems the least bit tired or overwrought. This is a wonderful, original book that's equal parts fantasy and super-reality.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether "A" is a boy or a girl. Do you have a strong impression one way or the other? What is the book saying about gender identification?
Every Day blends a fantastical premise with realistic situations. What effect does this have on you as a reader?
Do you think "A" does the right thing at the end?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Romance
- Topics : School ( High School )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Random House Children's Books
- Publication date : August 28, 2012
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 17
- Number of pages : 336
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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