Not Nothing

By: Gayle Forman

Narrated by: Dion Graham, Gayle Forman

Four starred reviews!
“The book we all need at the time we all need it.” —Katherine Applegate, Newbery Award–winning author of The One and Only Ivan

In this “tale of intergenerational friendship forged through a shared understanding of loss…told with spellbinding grace” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) from #1 New York Times bestselling author Gayle Forman, a boy assigned to spend his summer volunteering at a senior living facility learns unexpected lessons.

Alex is twelve, and he did something very, very bad. A judge sentences him to spend his summer volunteering at a retirement home where he’s bossed around by an annoying and self-important do-gooder named Maya-Jade. He hasn’t seen his mom in a year, his aunt and uncle don’t want him, and Shady Glen’s geriatric residents seem like zombies to him.

Josey is 107 and ready for his life to be over. He has evaded death many times, having survived ghettos, dragnets, and a concentration camp—all thanks to the heroism of a woman named Olka and his own ability to sew. But now he spends his days in room 206 at Shady Glen, refusing to speak and waiting (and waiting and waiting) to die. Until Alex knocks on Josey’s door…and Josey begins to tell Alex his story.

As Alex comes back again and again to hear more, an unlikely bond grows between them. Soon a new possibility opens up for Alex: Can he rise to the occasion of his life, even if it means confronting the worst thing that he’s ever done?

Critic reviews

"Dion Graham’s masterful narration clarifies this novel’s shifts in point of view and vividly defines its main characters, 107-year-old Josey Kravitz and 12-year-old Alex. The richness of Graham’s Polish accent for Josey augments the power of his storytelling and his tragic past, as well as his caring personality. Graham’s delivery also reveals Alex’s feelings of hopelessness and guilt over an unidentified “incident.” Gradually, listeners come to understand what these characters have in common. Graham’s performance also gives humorous views of the elderly residents of Shady Glen, a care home where Alex volunteers, and captures Alex’s social worker’s reassuring belief in him. Gayle Forman reads the author’s note describing her creative journey in writing this novel."

Outstanding!

Wish it didn’t say youth book because it is just as easily an adult book. One of my favorite books of the year. Theme is universal and as a retired teacher, it rips your heart out. Please give this book a try. I don’t believe you’ll be disappointed.

Exceptional story and audio!

This is a new favorite book for me. I enjoyed every detail. The storytelling is masterful. There are some books you read and you’re never the same again. This book….this precious book….is one of those treasures!

good book

didn't like the LBGTQ stuff, but it was a good book with a good performance

Loved this book! Listened with my 13 year old!

Listen to this book! Great listen about love and forgiveness. I listened with my 13 year old son in the car!

An “opportunity”

This book touched my soul! I fell in love with the characters and their story, and the narrator was SPOT on. The book need to be heard!