Nix Minus One by Jill Maclean
An exquisite middle-grade novel by the award-winning Jill MacLean Fifteen-year-old Nix Humbolt doesn't talk much. He's barely outgrown his "Fatty Humbolt" days, and although he is taller and leaner now, he has learned it is best to keep a low profile. He dreams about his only friend's girl, but of course she is hopelessly out of his league. Lonely and introverted, he is happiest in his father's woodworking shop, where he builds exquisite boxes and tables. The only battles Nix fights are on his Xbox - until the day he finds the guts to fight for Swiff Dunphy's neglected dog. Then there is Roxy, Nix's spirited older sister who always knows just how to get what she wants. But the guy she wants is seriously toxic, and even Nix can see that she is headed for disaster. All Nix can do is cover for her when she breaks curfew or comes home drunk. But this time Roxy is about to spiral out of control and change all their lives forever. And there is nothing he can do to stop it. "Well-crafted and intense, an engrossing family drama in which both young and old learn what it means to grow up."—Kirkus Reviews
Well-crafted and intense, an engrossing family drama in which both young and old learn what it means to grow up* Kirkus *
Writing with careful, evocative language, MacLean explores love in myriad forms. * Publishers Weekly *
Readers used to a diet of cliché-ridden YA fiction will enjoy this refreshing take on the teenage plight . . . [T]he hard-won hopefulness of Nix's growth will linger with them long after the poetry ends. * School Library Journal *
MacLean has produced another wonderful novel. She is to be applauded for respecting her readership and refusing to shy away from difficult topics . . . **Highly Recommended.** * CM Magazine *
The novel's strength comes from the authenticity of Nix's emotional evolution . . . This is an absorbing, emotionally resonant book. * Quill & Quire *
YAs who are drawn to contemporary fiction and verse novels won't want to miss this . . . * Booklist *
This meticulously-crafted novel-in-verse is as finely-honed as one of Nix's own woodworking projects . . . While Nix struggles to find his voice, MacLean's impeccable poetry - spare, evocative, and affecting - enables readers to enter into his mind and heart. And they will be amply rewarded by the experience. * Atlantic Books Today *
The story is complex and engaging, and the deep themes make this an excellent novel for study and discussion * Canadian Children's Book News *
. . . an exceptional novel that is not to be missed. * Winnipeg Free Press *
[A] sensitive story . . . Beautifully descriptive . . . * The Calgary Herald *
. . . a story about a young man finding out who he really is. A strong book. * CBC summer Book Panel *
. . . a well-paced story that will leave readers thoroughly engaged with the characters. * The Montreal Gazette *
As Nix struggles to find his voice, MacLean soothes us with the gorgeousness of her writing, the spare but perfect free verse of this unforgettable gem. * Open Book Toronto *
[MacLean's] writing is strong and fluid but laced with vulnerability. * CanLit for LittleCanadians *
Writing with careful, evocative language, MacLean explores love in myriad forms. * Publishers Weekly *
Readers used to a diet of cliché-ridden YA fiction will enjoy this refreshing take on the teenage plight . . . [T]he hard-won hopefulness of Nix's growth will linger with them long after the poetry ends. * School Library Journal *
MacLean has produced another wonderful novel. She is to be applauded for respecting her readership and refusing to shy away from difficult topics . . . **Highly Recommended.** * CM Magazine *
The novel's strength comes from the authenticity of Nix's emotional evolution . . . This is an absorbing, emotionally resonant book. * Quill & Quire *
YAs who are drawn to contemporary fiction and verse novels won't want to miss this . . . * Booklist *
This meticulously-crafted novel-in-verse is as finely-honed as one of Nix's own woodworking projects . . . While Nix struggles to find his voice, MacLean's impeccable poetry - spare, evocative, and affecting - enables readers to enter into his mind and heart. And they will be amply rewarded by the experience. * Atlantic Books Today *
The story is complex and engaging, and the deep themes make this an excellent novel for study and discussion * Canadian Children's Book News *
. . . an exceptional novel that is not to be missed. * Winnipeg Free Press *
[A] sensitive story . . . Beautifully descriptive . . . * The Calgary Herald *
. . . a story about a young man finding out who he really is. A strong book. * CBC summer Book Panel *
. . . a well-paced story that will leave readers thoroughly engaged with the characters. * The Montreal Gazette *
As Nix struggles to find his voice, MacLean soothes us with the gorgeousness of her writing, the spare but perfect free verse of this unforgettable gem. * Open Book Toronto *
[MacLean's] writing is strong and fluid but laced with vulnerability. * CanLit for LittleCanadians *
Lifelong poet and writer Jill MacLean took the literary world by storm when she began writing for children in 2008. Her honors include the Ann Connor Brimer and Red Cedar book awards, the IBBY Honor List, the USBBY Outstanding International Books Honor list, and the VOYA Top Shelf Fiction for Middle School Readers list. Nix Minus One was a White Ravens Choice, a PW "Best New Books" pick; it won the Ann Connor Brimer Award and was nominated for the CLA Young Adult Book Award.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9781927485255 |
| ISBN 10 | 1927485258 |
| Title | Nix Minus One |
| Author | Jill Maclean |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | Pajama Press |
| Year published | 2014-11-13 |
| Number of pages | 296 |
| Prizes | Winner of White Ravens selection 2014, Winner of Ann Connor Brimer Award for Children’s Literature 2014 (Canada), Commended for Bank Street Best books of the Year for Children and Young Adults 2014 (United States), Commended for Canadian Children's Book Centre Best Books for Kids & Teens Starred Selection 2013 (Canada), Commended for Ontario Library Association Young Adult Best Bets 2014 (Canada), Short-listed for Publishers Weekly Best New Books Selection 2013 (United States), Short-listed for Canadian Library Association Young Adult Book Award 2014 (Canada), Short-listed for Snow Willow Award, Saskatchewan 2014 (Canada), Short-listed for White Pine Fiction Award, Ontario Library Association 2014 (Canada), Short-listed for Resource Links Year's Best Selection 2013 (Canada) |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |