• The List of Things That Will Not Change

  • By: Rebecca Stead
  • Narrated by: Rachel L. Jacobs
  • Length: 4 hrs and 56 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (89 ratings)

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The List of Things That Will Not Change  By  cover art

The List of Things That Will Not Change

By: Rebecca Stead
Narrated by: Rachel L. Jacobs
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Publisher's summary

Eight starred reviews! The reassuring book kids and families need right now.

"An absolute original...a story that kids will love." (R. J. Palacio, best-selling author of Wonder)

At a time when everything is changing for Bea and her family, the important things will always stay the same. A soon-to-be classic by the Newbery Award-winning author of When You Reach Me.

After her parents' divorce, Bea's life became different in many ways. But she can always look back at the list she keeps in her green notebook to remember the things that will stay the same. The first and most important: Mom and Dad will always love Bea, and each other.

When Dad tells Bea that he and his boyfriend, Jesse, are getting married, Bea is thrilled. Bea loves Jesse, and when he and Dad get married, she'll finally (finally!) have what she's always wanted - a sister. Even though she's never met Jesse's daughter, Sonia, Bea is sure that they'll be "just like sisters anywhere."

As the wedding day approaches, Bea will learn that making a new family brings questions, surprises, and joy, and listeners will discover why the New York Times called Rebecca Stead a "writer of great feeling."

"An undeniably beautiful book." (The New York Times)

"No author writing today observes young lives with more clarity, tenderness, and grace." (Newbery Medalist Katherine Applegate, author of The One and Only Ivan)

"Stead truly understands the inner life of kids." (Newbery Medalist Erin Entrada Kelly, author of Hello, Universe and You Go First)

©2020 Rebecca Stead (P)2020 Listening Library

Critic reviews

"A fabric woven of exactly the right threads.... An undeniably beautiful book." (The New York Times)

"Uplifting without sentimentality, timely not trendy, and utterly engaging." (Kirkus Reviews starred review)

"An emotional character journey from a middle-grade master." (Booklist starred review)

What listeners say about The List of Things That Will Not Change

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Gayness

The gay dad stood out to me and made me smile and feel warm inside 🏳️‍🌈

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

memorable, impressive, and loving

the main character Beatrice(Also my name), has her parents divorced. and when her parents divorced they gave a spiral notebook, 'the List of Things That Will Not Change.'

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Didn’t want the story to end!!!

I’ve never written a review before but when you feel sad for the story to end you know it’s time to write one! I found several takeaways from this book and the narrator was perfect for the story!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great story - okay narration

The narrator was a little distracting. Didn’t add that much to the story, but I can safely say it was worth my 1 credit. I love this story and this was a great book to drive along to.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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The dad and Jesse

I really liked the whole thing and I especially liked the chapters about the wedding.

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