Speed of Life, just the pace for teens, especially girls

Heed the warning on the back of Speed of Life, but take it with a grain of salt. The warning says that its story is sad, talks about death and loss; but then references cat videos, kissing and moving on. All of which are true about Speed of Life, a middle school book that isn’t as heavy as you might think and deftly handles real world emotions that kids encounter.

Sofia is a 14 year old kid who is having a rough year. Her mother died eight months ago and she’s unable to move on from that fact. She has friends, her father is there for her and she regularly reads advice columns about grief, but it’s difficult. Plus, she’s 14, there are considerable changes happening internally and physically.

One day Sofia writes a letter to Dear Kate, the advice column that she reads occasionally. Surprisingly she receives a response that seems genuine and heartfelt. Spurred on by this she continues to write her and the two form an online bond that starts to positively impact her life on all fronts. Of course, Kate doesn’t have all the answers, but her honesty makes Sofia realize that everything happens.

Sometimes those things happen in a way that upends Sofia’s applecart and it does just that when her dad lets her know the next chapter in his life.

Middle school girls will love Speed of Life. Its content is relatable to students, even those that haven’t suffered through personal loss. It’s the changes that happen around Sofia that make it something that kids will understand and want to see to fruition. When the next chapter of Sofia’s life starts in earnest she discovers a cute boy and the two start a relationship.

From there jealousy, competing friendships, parental approval and more enter her world and slowly Sofia realizes that something’s don’t end; it’s just that other things compete for their time and attention. Some middle school boys will enjoy the story in Speed of Life. However, for the most part this is all girl power, with a side lesson in life.

Speed of life, carol Weston, middle school

Speed of Life is a middle school novel about loss and grief, but complicated by the life of a 14 year old girl. Its uplifting, but addresses the tough issues head on.