The Epic Story of Every Living Thing by Deb Caletti
Published by Labyrinth Road on September 13, 2022
ISBN: 0593485505
Pages: 416
Genres: Adventure, Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads

“The Epic Story of Every Living Thing” is a coming-of-age story wrapped in layers of self-doubt and the need to find personal identity. Raised by her mother, Harper is aware that her life started with the aid of a sperm donor. Her journey to learn about her donor starts when a half sibling makes contact. What began as a curiosity becomes an intense challenge fueled by emotion and parental disapproval. Readers travel with Harper and experience her feelings as she discovers more and more half siblings, and each of these characters brings something special to the book.

Beyond the search for identity, this story provides awareness of environmental groups, lost items at sea, and the plans of the US military. Caletti’s extensive research concerning sunken ships and the procedures to remove them is obvious in the crafting of the story and her strong writing brings to life the the book’s action so much so that during dive scenes, readers can almost feel the temperature of the water and see the underwater creatures and sunken treasure.

Highly recommended for high school and YA collections in public libraries.

Reviewed by Jan Hamilton, Retired Youth Services Librarian