Book Review: Everybody Sees the Ants by A.S. King

Everybody Sees the Ants by A.S. King
Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 279
Ages: Young Adult
Buy It: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Alibris | Powell’s Books | Indiebound | Book Depository
Publishers Summary:

Lucky Linderman didn’t ask for his life. He didn’t ask his grandfather not to come home from the Vietnam War. He didn’t ask for a father who never got over it. He didn’t ask for a mother who keeps pretending their dysfunctional family is fine. And he didn’t ask to be the target of Nader McMillan’s relentless bullying, which has finally gone too far.

But Lucky has a secret–one that helps him wade through the daily mundane torture of his life. In his dreams, Lucky escapes to the war-ridden jungles of Laos–the prison his grandfather couldn’t escape–where Lucky can be a real man, an adventurer, and a hero. It’s dangerous and wild, and it’s a place where his life just might be worth living. But how long can Lucky keep hiding in his dreams before reality forces its way inside?

Michael L. Printz Honor recipient A.S. King’s smart, funny and boldly original writing shines in this powerful novel about learning to cope with the shrapnel life throws at you and taking a stand against it.

In Lucky Linderman’s life nothing seems real. From the dreams of his POW grandfather to the ceaseless bullying at the hands of a long time rival, Nader McMillan. His father has checked out and his mother, with no other options drags Lucky to her brother’s home in Arizona hoping to put distance between the problems they both face. A few weeks in the hot sun Lucky’s dreams intensify and while the “ants” cheer him on he meets a few people who put life into perspective, changing everything forever.

There are all types of books out in the world. Books that take you to far away places, books that tell the history of nations long past and books about things that don’t even exist. Then there are books that reach deep within your heart, those that slowly chip away until tiny fractures appear and suddenly your heart shatters but somehow, in the end, you are whole again. Whole, but changed forever, because of a book. Everybody Sees the Ants by A.S. King is one of those books.

I’ve heard nothing but praises for King’s writing, but had never had the chance to read any of her award winning books. I’m certain that will change very soon. To be completely and thoroughly honest I must say that when I started Everybody Sees the Ants I didn’t like it much at all. At about sixty pages in I had no idea where it was going or if I had any intention of finishing it, but King’s writing wouldn’t let me stop. I’m so glad I didn’t. I’m also glad the first sixty pages were there now that I’ve finished and have had the opportunity to reflect on the story. Even with a few weeks having passed since I finished Everybody Sees the Ants I still tear up at the thought of what happens throughout the book. It’s heartbreaking and honest, but well worth every moment spent reading it.

Lucky’s story is two fold; he’s the grandson of a POW gone missing for longer than he has been alive and he’s also a recipient of bullying on the part of a rather horrible boy since a very young age. Somehow as the story slowly develops these two very different situations come together to show Lucky how to come into his own. During this time some rather horrible things happen to Lucky, including numerous times in which he’s the target of some very severe bullying. As a human being and also a parent I found some of these scenes almost more than I could bear, though I know they aren’t unrealistic. What was more eye opening was the interaction Lucky had with his parents and the adults in his life after these situations happened. There’s one situation in particular where he was speaking with his Dad that impacted me a great deal:

I think back to the last time I told Dad about Nader and what he said. “Son, there will always be bullies in your life. Some people just don’t know how to act.”

Always? I know this sounds totally stupid, but sometimes I really can’t see the point in living if I will always have to deal with this crap. I know I will have better times in my life, and I might even make myself into someone important, but if the whole time I have to deal with a**holes, then what is the point?

…

Mom says that Nader is a loser who will grow up to be a loser and that I’ll understand when I’m forty. But I want to understand now.
(p. 129-130, ARC Everybody Sees the Ants by A.S. King)

When thinking about my own interactions with not only my own children, but other teens as well, especially those who seek me out for help, I can’t help but be moved by Lucky’s story. Teens don’t need pat answers, but need support and real answers. Lucky’s interactions later in the book with Ginny, his Granddad and also his Uncle Dave and Aunt Jodi are huge turning points for him because they finally lead him to the answers he needs. Not only that, but they teach him life lessons about his own self-worth, how to be confident, show empathy and most of all…enjoy life. It’s the sum of all of these relationships that makes Everybody Sees the Ants by A.S. King a profound experience.

This short space barely summarizes all there is to experience within the pages of Everybody Sees the Ants by A.S. King. Lucky Linderman is a teen that has endured bullying for years, has searched for a grandparent he’s never met, felt the heartache of disappointment at the hands of a parent unwilling to deal with a tough situation and much more. As his ants chant his many weaknesses from the sidelines his spirit diminishes. It isn’t until he meets the hot Arizona desert and a few very important people that he begins to change everything about how he sees himself. A powerful story about a boy becoming himself; one I won’t be likely to ever forget.

The1stdaughter Recommends: Ages 15 and up. Self-worth, loss, bullying, strength, relationships, love and more. This story will change readers forever. Scenes of harsh bullying may be difficult for some readers.

In September Little Brown will be releasing the new paperback edition with a brand new cover. I’m torn! I love the original cover, but this cover is so much more personal.

Which do you prefer? The original cover above or the new cover to the right?

Find Everybody Sees the Ants by A.S. King at the following spots:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Alibris | Powell’s Books | Indiebound | Book Depository | Goodreads

Today’s post is part of our month long celebration of all things Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. Make sure to stop by the LB Teens Site for more information about this title and more. For more information about our Book Publishers 101 feature take a look at this month’s opening post.

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