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Parents' Guide to

The Kidney Hypothetical: Or How to Ruin Your Life in Seven Days

By Mary Cosola, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Rapid-fire story of boy's horrible final week of school.

Book Lisa Yee Coming of Age 2015
The Kidney Hypothetical: Or How to Ruin Your Life in Seven Days Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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age 14+

Based on 1 parent review

bugmenot
bugmenot Parent of 3 and 15-year-old
April 13, 2016
age 14+

Good lessons about the cult of overachieving

Pros: Wow I could not disagree more with the reviewer on two stars. I love Lisa Yee's other works like the Millicent Min trilogy and Bobby vs Girls, so I was excited to read Kidney Hypothetical. Coming from a family, culture, community of myopia who think Harvard is the epitome of Life, I know too many people who teach their kids to be entitled overachievers that think that an Ivy League diploma means you're better than everyone else. I think the 'hate campaign' against Higgs was a good wakeup call that intelligence and grades and achievement, doesn't trump friendship, kindness, empathy and actual thinking and consideration for others. What's more, it acknowledges the unhappiness and insecurity that "perfection" can bring. I know many young people who could stand to learn this lesson. I'm in my late 30s but my inner teenager thoroughly appreciated this book. Cons: There is the usual swearing and smoking in teenage fare these days. I'm not sure that Higgs really learned his lesson as far as getting away with fraud. The parental neglect is troubling but realistic considering what they're dealing with, however it isn't explained helpfully for a younger reader. (As an adult I can see the clear symptoms of severe depression and need for professional help, but the realistic stigma in the book and in the culture is unfortunately realistic.) The ex-girlfriend and other girls in school are one dimensional, yes. However I thought it was more a symptom of how Higgs saw them rather than how we are supposed to~ granted a teenage reader may not get that nuance. Overall I think the message that "success alone won't bring you happiness" is a useful message that some entitled people in my own community could stand to learn. Maybe not in yours, but definitely appreciated in mine. Five stars.
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What's the Story?

THE KIDNEY HYPOTHETICAL: OR HOW TO RUIN YOUR LIFE IN SEVEN DAYS is about what happens when you focus solely on checking the boxes next to achievements and don't pay attention to how your actions affect those around you. The story starts with the Senior Sail, an annual party that kicks off a week of festivities for the seniors of Sally Ride High School. Higgs Boson Bing is looking forward to this celebratory week, hoping to win the title of Senior of the Year. He has it all: admission to Harvard, a 4.35 GPA, a cute, popular girlfriend, and loads of activities and awards under his belt. When his girlfriend, Rosemary "Roo" Wynn, asks him whether he'd donate a kidney to her if she needed one, Higgs feels put upon and responds that he refuses to answer hypotheticals. She breaks up with him on the spot, and word spreads of his "cruelty" to Roo. In the seven days that follow, the entire school -- including administrators -- turns against Higgs. He's bullied, insulted, and pranked. His home life isn't faring much better, either; his parents are having troubles, his sister treats him like dirt, and the family is still mourning the death of Higgs' brother years earlier. While seeking some solitude, Higgs meets a mysterious teen girl, Monarch, who's staying in a trailer in the woods. She doesn't buy into the narrative he's written for himself and gets him to question his motivations and whom he's really trying to please.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

The book has a decent premise: that achieving for the sake of achieving and putting aside your own dreams to make other people happy aren't the best approaches to life.

Unfortunately, the event that sets Higgs Boson Bing's horrible week in motion is ridiculous. Although it becomes clear that Higgs is not as perfect as he tries to appear, the level of hatred, cruelty, and retribution aimed at him is weird and out of proportion. Most of the characters are annoying, and much of the dialogue involves yelling and name-calling, especially in the first part of the book. The numerous insults hurled at Higgs are supposed to be humorous, but the humor falls flat. The school's reaction to overt bullying is unbelievable and awful.

The character of Monarch is a take on the Manic Pixie Dream Girl cliché, but her character is welcome in that she challenges Higgs to truly examine his goals and motives. The book is better when the reader gets to know Higgs and see the struggles that led him to become a driven, high achiever. More of that level of insight into the pressures facing many teens would have be welcome. Otherwise, there are too many awful characters in this book to make it a completely enjoyable read.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what constitutes success. How does your family measure achievement? Are high grades and awards important, or do you focus more on what you're learning and how you're growing in school and in activities?

  • Do you ever feel like completely detaching from online life and giving up social media, texting, and games, even for a short while? What do you think you might gain by doing that?

  • What does being a good friend mean to you? Can you think of ways you could be more supportive of your friends?

Book Details

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