All the Answers is an enjoyable novel, and so much more. It explores a yearning that humankind shares: having all the answers of the world, at your fingertips. Say goodbye to questions and guesses, right? The world would be so much simpler! Actually, when a shy middle schooler, Ava Anderson, finds a magical pencil that can answer any factual question, it just makes her life more complicated — not less. At first, it’s fun to ask the pencil trivial questions. As Ava’s best friend Sophie says, “It’s like we have a secret spy camera on the whole world!” Later, the two friends realize this might not be a good thing. Nevertheless, Ava continues to ask the pencil her questions. Through the pencil, Ava learns that her mom has a health problem. The pencil shares this shocking information with a matter-of-fact tone, like it didn’t just throw a wrench in Ava’s life. Obviously, Ava is scared and worried by this news, and she feels that she has to face it alone. This is a huge burden looming over her. Original photograph by Madeline Male, 14 As life with the pencil goes on, asking it questions spirals out of control. Even though the pencil’s answers are clear, it still creates confusion and anxiety in her life. Ava is a kind and thoughtful person, but stressful times can put anyone’s personality to the test. Even before she found the pencil, Ava was someone who worried about everything. Now, she uses the pencil to feed her worries and let them grow. As one question leads to the next, Ava feels that she needs all the answers of the world. Plus, Ava realizes that pencils don’t last forever; there are only so many questions she can ask it before the lead runs out. As Messner writes, “Ava could imagine herself scraping desperately away at the wood with her fingers until they bled, trying to get the last bit of lead to give up its answers. And then what?” This is one book that sticks with you long after you finish reading it. In a way, we can all relate to it. We don’t have all the answers, but maybe that’s a good thing. If we knew “all the answers,” then we might be so worried about “what-ifs” that we stop living fully. All the Answers made me think about my world in a positively upside down way. After finishing All the Answers, I realized that strong tug-and-pull emotions distinguish the nuanced books from the all-happy books. The book brought me along a journey, letting me into Ava’s mind. If you’re looking to explore our human desire to have more answers, then this book is for you. All the Answers by Kate Messner. Bloomsbury U.S.A. Children’s Books, 2016. Buy the book here and help support Stone Soup in the process!
Young Bloggers
Out of It, a poem by Madeline Male, 14
Out of school!Out of paper towels –Out of sanitizer . . .Out of masks.Out of sports.Out of work.Out of business.Out of energy.Out of things to do.Out of friends.Out of touch.Out of sorts.Just out of it.
Practice, a comic by Jaslene Kwack, 12
Artist Statement My name is Jaslene Kwack, and I am 12 years old. I drew this picture on my iPad. I first got inspiration from Taekwondo, which is a sport that I practice and enjoy a lot. Although I learn just like everyone else, I think one thing that sets me apart is how I strive to expand my knowledge and preserve the things I already know. One of my teachers has brought up a topic which really got me thinking. They quoted someone asking, “Is it harder to get good or to stay good?” and I believe that it is both. Some might think, “Oh, it is harder to get good because you have to learn everything from the start and overcome problems.” but it is also equally important to keep reviewing the things you have done to “get good” because what’s the point in learning something if you’re going to forget it anyways? So, this brings me to the topic of my art. I drew this picture about how I practice Taekwondo every day, whether it be at home, at the dojang (the training area where I learn during classes), or outside, I always work harder to perfect every move and every action. Each panel of my drawing shows me performing a different move in Taekwondo, and the further down you look, the more time passes. For example, the first few show me in the summer (you can tell from my clothes and the bright blue sky along with the full green trees). Then, in the later drawings, I am shown wearing a hoodie as the leaves fall and the trees grow bare. Eventually, there is snow on the ground and I also draw myself standing inside my room practicing on a mat. The last panel portrays my house and me yelling the last phase of almost every sequence in Taekwondo: the kihap. The kihap is a yell or shout at the end of a move which is meant to intimidate an opponent. However, it also shows self-confidence and strength. This last panel shows my growth with my practice at the end of each day. Not only does this drawing and the idea behind it apply to Taekwondo, it also applies to other things I practice in my life. For example, I play both clarinet and bassoon, so I designate days to practice each instrument. I also play tennis by myself and with my brother during my free time at the tennis court outside of my house. On weekends, I go out with my family to practice golf, sometimes going on rounds and other times playing at a practice bay. I believe this drawing portrays my dedication to the things I am involved and interested in. It shows how I always work to perfect the things I have already learned in order to remember them and become better. Using this drawing, I also want to inspire others to passionately pursue the things they love and make sure they never give up.
