From the moment Brian's life implodes on the morning of his birthday, this story grabs you and doesn't let go. I loved 1) how the characters felt so real and relatable as they learn to embrace the "weird" stuff that makes them unique and 2) how the dual POV storytelling style lets you see the two main characters from within their heads and how they're seen by people around them. The author deftly balances the mix of heavy stuff and humor, and ends the story on a perfect note of hopefulness among brokenness without trying to manufacture a happily ever after.

Great characters, well written, and such a valuable story to tell! I love that the characters are so well developed and that we really get to see the perspectives of the two main characters as whole people. They're not caricatures or one dimensional. There are so many aspects of this story to love. I find very few works that really discuss some of the realities that many of our young people face.....criminal activity of the parents is one that often gets either overlooked or sensationalized. I love that it wasn't the focus, but was a major part of the story. Mental health is another thing that people really struggle with and I felt the author's treatment of various issues was tender and still shined a bright light on the subject. I recommend this one!

First off, I love the title of this book! It precedes the emotion you’ll experience as you read.

This is a very timely novel geared to the middle school reader who feels he/she just doesn’t have a place in the world. I guess that describes about 99% of the middle school population.

Brian is a worrier, he is anxious, at home, in class, and even on the basketball court. His dad who is quite the colorful guy, tries to get him to stand up for himself and his mom helps as much as she can. One day disaster strikes his family and Brian and his brother are placed in foster care. Brian begins to experience panic attacks. This doubles his already worrisome nature and he wonders if things will ever be normal again. In 2020, I guess a lot of us wonder that. Then there is Ezra who had always been popular. He’s friends with most of the kids on his basketball team, even Brian, who usually keeps to himself. But now, some of his friends have been acting differently, and Brian seems to be pulling away. Ezra wants to help, but he worries if he’s too nice to Brian, his friends will realize that he has a crush on him.

One day Brian grabs his younger brother and they run away from the foster home. Ezra feels he has no choice but to take the leap and reach out to Brian who have feeling for each other. Now both boys must make the decision if they willing to risk honesty about their feelings or would if be easier to keep it hidden.

This title just may be the book to help a reader discover that is is okay to come out. Of course we all know that life instantly becomes a bigger challenge when you are considered different. The book ends before we know much about the boys decision and how life goes on from there.

Maybe Chad Lucas will write a sequel to this fine novel. I really enjoyed the character development.

After all it’s okay to...
“Be brave, Be real Be weird”

I absolutely loved Chad Lucas' triumphant THANKS A LOT, UNIVERSE. Told through the perspective of Brian and Ezra, two 13-year old boys navigating very truthful and well-developed obstacles, Lucas effortlessly balances the sweetness of adolescence with the actual challenges of real life. Without over-articulating exposition or surface character description, he skillfully writes a very memorable cast of characters. Even though the orbit of key individuals weaving in and out of the two boys' life is quite expansive, every character feels unique and identifiable.

I was so moved by the frank tone throughout. Lucas does not mince his words or oversimplify; these boys are so resilient and present with their experiences. It's a powerful device for readers of all ages. By including some genuinely heartwarming examples of selflessness and tolerance, Lucas offers support and comfort to anyone facing trauma or isolation.

Although some of the stories and tropes explored are somewhat familiar, Lucas finds ways to approach this story with fresh detail. Brian's parents, in particular, are crafted so carefully and, despite their own personal difficulties, nurture with unwavering love for Brian and his brother Richie. In general, Lucas' older characters are actively seeking to improve the lives of the younger characters, a concept that actually feels underutilized in stories for younger audiences. Here, a little trust and communication goes a long way for Brian and Ezra as they slowly open up to guardian figures. Gabe and Brittany, high schoolers that come to mentor them, serve as intermediary liaisons between the adults and the boys. Their counsel throughout is particularly empathetic and patient, and makes a case for the unencumbered compassion of some teenagers.

How can these teenagers be so much cooler than I will ever be? I love them all so much! I will definitely be recommending this wonderful novel, very much look forward to its release, and hope this isn't the last we hear from Brian and Ezra.

Thanks A Lot, Universe
By Chad Lucas

Thanks A Lot, Universe follows two first-person POVs. Brian, a shy boy, suffering from social anxiety, and Ezra, a boy on Brian’s basketball team, who’s friend group is going through some changes. The two boys had a lot of fun together while serving as benchwarmers during the winter basketball season but grow apart as the school year nears its end.

This heartfelt middle-grade novel swept me off my feet. After I got my NetGalley ARC, I finished the book in just three days! The characters in this book are warm and constantly remind you of what it was like to be an awkward teen in middle school.

*Spoilers*

At the start of this novel, Brian’s life gets flipped completely upside down as his father skips town after running into some trouble, and his mother needs to be hospitalized. Brian finds himself in charge of his little brother, Richie, as the two are sent to live with foster parents.

While Brian is going through a complete crisis, Ezra watches from afar. He wants to be friendlier with Brian but can’t seem to figure out how.

After receiving an emergency fund from his father, Brian plans to run away with Richie. They spend a night in a hotel and book an isolated cabin to lay low in. At this point in the novel, I felt that it was a little unrealistic for the kids to run off like this. To book the hotel room, Brian uses his foster parent’s credit card. He eventually pays them back, but it all felt so out of character for Brian—though I still enjoyed the story that unfolded.

Ezra notes Brian’s absence, wishing he had done more for him after a couple of bullies picked on him. Determined to make things right, he finds out a little bit of the trauma that has swamped Brian. He, and his teacher’s son, Gabe, launch an investigation of their own to help find Brian and Richie. This, for me, is where the story really picks up. Bit by bit, we start to see why Ezra is so motivated to find Brian, and I found it impossible to put down the book at this point.

I would highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a heartwarming middle-grade read! I can’t wait for it to come out in May so I can buy the hardcover!!

I loved this book! It's a super emotional journey about two boys who are dealing with turmoil and life changes in different ways. The characters are very well drawn and feel relatable. This book made me laugh and cry as I sped through the pages to find out what happens to Brian and Ezra. The story illustrates the importance of accepting help when you need it, as well as being honest with ourselves and others about who we really are. It deals with some heavy topics for a middle great read, including attempted suicide, incarceration of a parent, foster care, mental heath, bullying, homophobia, and LGPTQ+ issues.

Thanks a Lot, Universe explores the changes that everyone experiences in middle school as well as some trauma that one main character, Brian, goes through. There is also excellent discussion of the evolution of a close friendship that has grown distant over the past year. Ezra isn’t happy about this and he is unsure of how he should handle the changes between him and his friend, Colby.

Another sub-plot is how Ezra deals with his growing feelings for Brian. He isn’t sure if he should tell him given the traumatic circumstances Brian is living through at the moment and he isn’t sure if he should tell anyone else to get their opinion on telling Brian.

This title will connect with so many readers whether they have walked in Brian’s shoes or in Ezra’s or even in Colby’s or Victor’s. All these characters are portrayed as having more to their stories than meets the eye. And, don’t we all?

This book was a delight. Both light and heavy, this packed a little bit of everything and, while dark at times with difficult topics, it manages not to be too much on other stuff, like there was little to no homophobia and the bullying was tackled well, in my opinion.

Brian has the worst birthday ever and it's the start of so many things that can go wrong, and will actually go wrong. Poor boy, I wanted to hug him so badly. He went through so much, and he didn't deserve any of it. Brian suffers from social anxiety, a severe one, and he everything that happens isn't helping. I liked that, even if it took long, he got a real friend in Ezra.

Ezra, a ray of sunshine. He is outgoing, makes lots of jokes and has a crush on Brian. I loved how we see different kinds of 13 yo boys. Not all of them mature at the same time. Some already have girlfriends/boyfriends, some aren't interested yet, and some, like Ezra, are finally coming to terms with that they suspected and with it, they're finding out more about themselves.

I loved this book, I really did. The writing was great, I couldn't stop reading. It made me laugh so many times, out loud, I scared my cat. And the sad parts made me teary eye. Yeah, let boys and men be sensitive and cry. I loved it.

Highly recommended!

This book is so much more than expected. At first, the dual narrators was a little off-putting because there is a natural contrast between the two. It's hard not to feel for Brian; he struggles with anxiety before his life is thrown into a chaos due to choices his parents make. Ezra's life seems wonderful by comparison. Of course, this is one of the many beautiful themes in this story: no one really knows everyone else's struggles.

As the story progresses, there are no bad or good characters. They are all just people with their own stories, aspirations, and mistakes. They can both hurt and help. Both Brian and Ezra grow to understand how complicated emotions can be and how those closest have the greatest ability to harm, despite intentions. For a book for middle grades, this book is full of painful, but important, lessons. Still, it's a book about hope and the healing possibilities of relationships.

This is not a book for every reader; it is a needed book.

OMG... This book sits with an intensity that I would not have expected in a middle-grade fiction about basketball. WOW!

First, the anxiety that Brian experiences is so real and super accurate for teens and preteens in our society - the obsession with likes and validation has led to huge increases in mental health concerns in middle grades. The depiction of teen culture as clique-y from the perspective of boys is such an important image to show. The progression of Brian's panic attacks and outlook is so natural in response to the events of the story.

Second, Ezra's realization of his identity and how he is affected by those around him is so important! He crossed a bridge from the blissful ignorance of childhood to the tentative awareness that comes with growing up - he identifies the problematic views of his peers independently, growing up in a way that isn't often discussed at that age. His strength of character shows so strongly in his interactions with the sensitive nature of Brian's changing life.

This is a must read for parents, educators, and those who regularly are in contact with middle school kids. Amazing debut novel!

A brilliant debut novel! There are so many great things to say about this book! It's complicated but easy to read, relatable but specific, each subplot and character is handled with nuance and care. This will be a very notable book in the upper MG space, prepare yourself for hearing about it often! Can't wait for more books by this author!

Thanks A Lot, Universe is told from the perspectives of two boys growing up experiencing challenges in their life and struggling with their identity. I enjoyed reading from Brian’s point of view as he navigated hardships with his family and coping with his anxiety. The author accurately and realistically portrays Brian’s anxiety with jumbled thoughts going through his head leading to more panicked thinking. It took me a while longer to connect with Ezra’s character and wondered how the two boys would relate to one another. Although Ezra was popular and had many friends, it was clear he felt uncomfortable sharing a part of himself with them and had trouble admitting how he was feeling. I think this book would be a little advanced for my fourth graders, but my more mature students may welcome this story. I think it is important for them to be exposed to stories like this to create awareness of difficulties kids face and acceptance of differences. While a wide variety of issues are presented, there is a sense of hope by the end through the support of friends and other central characters in the book.

I really enjoyed this book. This is an extremely strong debut, and I would definitely read from Chad Lucas again in the future. While Thanks a Lot, Universe might not be a perfect book for me, I know that the majority of people who will read this will absolutely adore it. I’ve already recommended it to people because I think that this will be a new favorite for middle grade contemporary readers.

This book started out extremely strong. I empathized with Brian and his family situation had me genuinely stressed out. He had a rough birthday to say the least. With that being said, I found myself less invested towards the middle of the book. I think I have to contribute this most to Ezra’s perspective. I felt way more connected to Brian’s chapters, and the imbalance led to me being less interested in Ezra’s chapters and consequently some parts of the book. I felt that Brian’s voice was much stronger. With Ezra, I felt that I was more so told how he was feeling instead of being shown, and it led to a disconnect with his chapters. There were also some times that I had to suspend my disbelief in this book, which I do not like doing when reading a contemporary as it’s meant to feel realistic.

Thanks a Lot, Universe has a lot of positives and important representation. I had never read about a parent getting incarcerated in a middle grade, and I think that this is such an important inclusion that will make lots of children feel seen. It absolutely broke me to know how much Brian was struggling with not only his father leaving but his mother being hospitalized on his birthday. And while this book was emotional, it was also just the right amount of funny. I laughed out loud many times during this book, and found that the humor will transcend all age levels despite being a middle grade. Lastly, the writing style was extremely readable and made the book flow effortlessly.

Charming, diverse, and important. 3.75/5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and ABRAMS Kids for providing me with a copy of Thanks a Lot, Universe to review.

I loved this. It made me laugh and cry. I read it twice in three days. I want to move to this neighborhood.
The best multi-ethnic, basketball-playing, music-loving, anxiety-suffering book I've ever read. I'll admit that Brittany is a bit of a deus ex machina (she's an expert barber?) but the suspense, the dual viewpoints, will hopefully make this a hit with the target audience.

A wonderful story about sexuality, mental health, and growing (and changing) friendships all while navigating junior high.

I haven't smiled so hard at the conclusion of the book in a long while. This book just makes you want to cheer (and cry) and laugh (and cry) and cheer some more. Brian and Ezra are two 7th-graders whose lives are changing in big ways. Brian's family is falling apart as his father faces legal troubles, his mother's mental health deteriorates, and his anxiety worsens. Ezra is questioning his sexuality and having to face the way friendships change (and fall apart) over time. This book takes on heavy topics with such grace and skill, never losing the 13-year-old voice of both main characters. There is a message that people who love you tend to hurt you worst of all, and at first I was a bit worried that this would just be where that message ended, but I shouldn't have been because readers are in excellent hands with Lucas, because while that message may be true, as Brian comes into himself and learns to speak up, his triumph is in letting those who hurt him know they have done so, and that there is power in this. Every form of grief imaginable for a teenager takes you on a ride-- losing a parent (in both death and in absent presence), losing a friend, losing yourself. But what I love most about this book is that it is just teeming with kindness. The cast covers kids from all over the popularity social strata, like Ty at the very top, who is kind and open and accepting, all the way down to Brian, who even when he is having the worst day of his life, has space for grace. Bonus points that this is one of the most diverse casts I've ever seen. Every kid has a different background, and that background MATTERS, like Kevan's culture coming out through his love of cooking and Gabe expressing what it's like to be a tall athletic Black teenager and people's assumptions to Trinidadian and Polish Ezra. Every kid in this book has a heart bigger than Nova Scotia and you will walk away feeling that you have learned how to face the worst days, all with a big smile on your face. A great debut that will stick with me for a long time to come.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review.