Like Nothing Amazing Ever Happened

Like Nothing Amazing Ever Happened by Blejwas, Emily. hardcover edition. ISBN: 9781984848482.

A poignant story of a boy picking up the pieces of his life after the unexpected death of his father, and the loyalty, concern, and friendship he finds in his small-town community. Justin doesnt know anything these days. Like how to walk down the halls without getting stared at. Or what to say to Jenni. Or how Phuc is already a physics genius in seventh grade. Or why Benny H. wanders around Wicapi talking to old ghosts. He doesnt know why his mom suddenly loves church or if his older brother, Murphy, will ever play baseball again. Or if the North Stars have a shot at the playoffs. Justin doesnt know how people can act like everythings fine when its so obviously not. And most of all, he doesnt know what really happened the night his dad died on the train tracks. And that sucks. But life goes on. And as it does, Justin discovers that some things are just unknowable. He learns that time and space and memory are grander and weirder than he ever thought, and that small moments can hold big things, if youre paying attention. Just like his math teacher said, even when you think you have all the information, there will be more. There is always more. Set during the Gulf War era, Like Nothing Amazing Ever Happened is a story about learning to go on after loss, told with a warmth that could thaw the coldest Minnesota lake.