Nix Minus One | TheBookSeekers

Nix Minus One


School year: Lower 6th, Upper 6th, Year 10, Year 11, Year 8, Year 9

No. of pages 296

Published: 2013

Great for age 12-18 years

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An exquisite middle-grade novel by the award-winning Jill MacLean Fifteen-year-old Nix Humbolt doesn't talk much. He's barely outgrown his "Fatty Humbolt" days, and although he is taller and leaner now, he has learned it is best to keep a low profile. He dreams about his only friend's girl, but of course she is hopelessly out of his league. Lonely and introverted, he is happiest in his father's woodworking shop, where he builds exquisite boxes and tables. The only battles Nix fights are on his Xbox - until the day he finds the guts to fight for Swiff Dunphy's neglected dog. Then there is Roxy, Nix's spirited older sister who always knows just how to get what she wants. But the guy she wants is seriously toxic, and even Nix can see that she is headed for disaster. All Nix can do is cover for her when she breaks curfew or comes home drunk. But this time Roxy is about to spiral out of control and change all their lives forever. And there is nothing he can do to stop it. "Well-crafted and intense, an engrossing family drama in which both young and old learn what it means to grow up."Kirkus Reviews

 

 

This book is the winner of numerous awards

This book is aimed at children at US 7th grade-11th grade.

This book has been graded for interest at 12-15 years.

There are 296 pages in this book.

It is aimed at Young Adult readers. The term Young Adult (YA) is used for books which have the following characteristics: (1) aimed at ages 12-18 years, US grades 7-12, UK school years 8-15, (2) around 50-75k words long, (3) main character is aged 12-18 years, (4) topics include self-reflection, internal conflict vs external, analyzing life and its meaning, (5) point of view is often in the first person, and (6) swearing, violence, romance and sexuality are allowed.

This book was published in 2013 by Pajama Press .

Lifelong poet and writer Jill MacLean took the literary world by storm when she began writing for children in 2008. Her honors include the Ann Connor Brimer and Red Cedar book awards, the IBBY Honor List, the USBBY Outstanding International Books Honor list, and the VOYA Top Shelf Fiction for Middle School Readers list. Nix Minus One was a White Ravens Choice, a PW "Best New Books" pick; it won the Ann Connor Brimer Award and was nominated for the CLA Young Adult Book Award.

 

This book has been nominated for the following awards:

White Raven Award
This book was recognised by the White Raven Award.

Canadian Children's Book Centre Awards - Best Books For Kids & Teens
This book was recognised in the Best Books for Kids & Teens category by the Canadian Children's Book Centre Awards.

Canadian Library Association Book Awards - Book Of the Year - YA
This book was recognised in the Book of the Year - YA category by the Canadian Library Association Book Awards.

Ontario Library Association Awards - Best Bets - YA
This book was recognised in the Best Bets - YA category by the Ontario Library Association Awards.

Saskatchewan Young Readers' Choice Award - Snow Willow
This book was recognised in the Snow Willow category by the Saskatchewan Young Readers' Choice Award.

Bank Street Best Children's Books of the Year
This book was recognised by the Bank Street Best Children's Books of the Year.

Publishers Weekly - Best New Books
This book was recognised in the Best New Books category by the Publishers Weekly.

Resource Links the Year's Best
This book was recognised by the Resource Links the Year's Best.

Ontario Library Association Forest of Reading Awards - White Pine - Fiction
This book was recognised in the White Pine - Fiction category by the Ontario Library Association Forest of Reading Awards.

Well-crafted and intense, an engrossing family drama in which both young and old learn what it means to grow up. * Kirkus *

 

Writing with careful, evocative language, MacLean explores love in myriad forms. * Publishers Weekly *

 

Readers used to a diet of cliche-ridden YA fiction will enjoy this refreshing take on the teenage plight . . . [T]he hard-won hopefulness of Nix's growth will linger with them long after the poetry ends. * School Library Journal *

 

MacLean has produced another wonderful novel. She is to be applauded for respecting her readership and refusing to shy away from difficult topics . . . **Highly Recommended.** * CM Magazine *

 

The novel's strength comes from the authenticity of Nix's emotional evolution . . . This is an absorbing, emotionally resonant book. * Quill & Quire *

 

YAs who are drawn to contemporary fiction and verse novels won't want to miss this . . . * Booklist *

 

This meticulously-crafted novel-in-verse is as finely-honed as one of Nix's own woodworking projects . . . While Nix struggles to find his voice, MacLean's impeccable poetry - spare, evocative, and affecting - enables readers to enter into his mind and heart. And they will be amply rewarded by the experience. * Atlantic Books Today *

 

The story is complex and engaging, and the deep themes make this an excellent novel for study and discussion * Canadian Children's Book News *

 

. . . an exceptional novel that is not to be missed. * Winnipeg Free Press *

 

[A] sensitive story . . . Beautifully descriptive . . . * The Calgary Herald *

 

. . . a story about a young man finding out who he really is. A strong book. * CBC summer Book Panel *

 

. . . a well-paced story that will leave readers thoroughly engaged with the characters. * The Montreal Gazette *

 

As Nix struggles to find his voice, MacLean soothes us with the gorgeousness of her writing, the spare but perfect free verse of this unforgettable gem. * Open Book Toronto *

 

[MacLean's] writing is strong and fluid but laced with vulnerability. * CanLit for LittleCanadians *