I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the The Science of Being Angry by Nicole Melleby Blog Tour hosted by Algonquin Young Readers.
Check out my review below!
About the Book
Title: The Science of Being Angry
Author: Nicole Melleby
Pub. Date: May 10, 2022
Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers
Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook
Synopsis:
Eleven-year-old Joey is angry. All the time. And she doesn’t understand why. She has two loving moms, a supportive older half brother, and, as a triplet, she’s never without company. Her life is good. But sometimes she loses her temper and lashes out, like the time she threw a soccer ball—hard—at a boy in gym class and bruised his collarbone. Or when jealousy made her push her (former) best friend (and crush), Layla, a little bit too roughly.
After a meltdown at Joey’s apartment building leads to her family’s eviction, Joey is desperate to figure out why she’s so mad. A new unit in science class makes her wonder if the reason is genetics. Does she lose control because of something she inherited from the donor her mothers chose?
Find it: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N |Book Depository | Libro.fm
Review
Trigger Warning: Mental Health, Bullying
Joey is always angry. It isn’t until she’s presented with a school project about genetics that she starts to wonder if her anger comes from the person she got half her genes from. Joey isn’t just navigating her emotions related to her anger but also her identity and who she is.
I like how much this story addresses mental health. Joey has the biggest support group but it doesn’t mean she doesn’t still struggle. Struggling with mental health is difficult for an adult let alone a child and I felt like Melleby did a wonderful job of portraying Joey’s struggles. You could feel how much Joey just wants to understand why she’s different. She’s not only trying to understand that but also her feelings towards her best friend Layla who she’s realized she likes as more than friends.
I’ve read all of Melleby’s middle grade novels and she’s definitely become my favorite. This one did not disappoint. Melleby writes beautiful stories of young people who have real and valid struggles. I will continue to pick up her books as long as she keeps writing them!
P.S. I pre-ordered the audio and listened to it. It is fantastic and I highly recommend it!
About the Author
Nicole Melleby, a born-and-bread Jersey native, is the author of highly praised middle-grade books, including the Lambda Literary finalist Hurricane Season and ALA Notable Children’s book How to Become a Planet. She currently teaches at the Fairleigh Dickinson MFA Creative Writing program, and spends most of her free time roller skating. She lives with her wife and their cat, whose need for attention oddly aligns with Nicole’s writing schedule. Feel free to follow her on Twitter @NeekoMelleby.
Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads
Buy Links:
Middle Grade Novels
Hurricane Season: Bookshop |Amazon | B&N |
In the Role of Brie Hutchens: Bookshop |Amazon | B&N |
How Become a Planet: Bookshop | Amazon | B&N |
The Science of Being Angry: Bookshop | Amazon | B&N |
Co-Editor:
Camp QUILTBAG: Bookshop | Amazon | B&N |
Picture Books
Sunny & Oswaldo: Bookshop | Amazon | B&N |
Anthologies
Co-Editor:
This is Our Rainbow: 16 Stories of Her, Him, Them, & Us: Bookshop | Amazon | B&N |
The Clever Reader 
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