Five stars really aren't enough for how good this book is. It is definitely for more mature readers - plenty of language and tough problems - but when kids are ready, everybody should read at least one book by this author. ( )

Lucky Linderman doesn't have a whole lot going for him. His chef father would rather spend time at his fancy restaurant than with his family, his mom escapes reality by embracing her inner squid at the pool, his grandmother who practically raised him died of cancer when he was 7, and his POW/MIA grandfather (whose nickname became Lucky's namesake) has kept an uncanny presence in the Linderman family since captured by the Viet Cong circa 1972. His problems follow him to school where Nader McMillan has taunted and abused him since grade school. Now Lucky's idea of a joke survey has landed him in the psychologist's office and provoked Nader's really bad side. A horrific instance of bullying sends Lucky and his mother to Tempe, Arizona, for some much-needed R&R, where he has heart-to-hearts with his grandfather, makes friends with a gorgeous model, and hangs out with a bunch of martini-drinking, limbo-playing, cheering and swearing ants. How will he be able to face his demons, within and without, when he returns home?

There are so many reasons to love this book. It is darkly humorous with the arrival of a colony of ants acting as Lucky's peanut gallery and has hints of magical realism when Lucky gets souvenirs from his dreams. There are the details of guerrilla warfare deep in the jungles of Vietnam and crushes on beautiful girls. Most prominent, though, is A.S. King's profound message and treatment of bullying as a very real and everyday form of torture. It encompasses more than just Nader giving Lucky a wound the shape of Ohio on his face, but how it can radiate into every stage of life. King doesn't solve every answer to this difficult problem, but she infuses her story with so much realistic wisdom and strength that it should be put in every person's hands who has ever dealt with a bully. Everybody Sees the Ants is a tremendous catalyst for reflection and discussion. This is hands-down one of the top-3 best books I have read this year...it might even be my favorite. ( )

I feel like this is a book everyone should read (or listen to as I did). Full of wonderful thoughts and an ending of hope. ( )

This YA coming of age story packs a punch! I laughed a little, I cringed a little and I cried a lot. This book was poignant in a way I haven't experienced in a long time. I had turned my back on this genre for a while now and to be honest, this book made me seriously question why I ever left. There are SO many feels right now having just this moment turned the last page but, for once, I don't feel like waxing poetic with loads of flourishing adjectives BUT I will say this... this book...with its succinct yet touching writing, its minimalistic world building that let the generously dynamic characters lead the show... has changed me in some small yet meaningful way and I don't believe that I will ever forget its message/ feeling.

Overall:
What can I say? If you're into the YA genre... if you're into stories about people enmeshed in shitty situations yet they manage to find a way to overcome and become their best versions... then this book is a must read! I devoured this in one sitting and enjoyed that thrill/dread of rushing up to meet the book's end. If you're into that then read no further, you've found your next read!

~ Enjoy ( )

DNF at 7%

There wasn't anything wrong with this one, it just wasn't my cup of tea. I like books with a quicker pace, and Everybody Sees the Ants was a very detailed and thorough read (would spend forever in one place). I also had a hard time connecting with Lucky, and I think it's because I couldn't relate to his experiences. His parents were frustrating and I hate that they didn't do more for their son. He was being bullied, told them about it, and they chose to ignore the problem. The story felt authentic and I liked the concept, but it wasn't a book I looked forward to picking back up again.

At the beginning of the book, everyone thinks Lucky is suicidal just because he jokes about it, and I wanted to see where that thread would lead. However, the book jumps to six months later, and that aspect of the story wasn't addressed again (at least not during what I read). I would suggest reading this if you enjoy character-driven books with a slower pace (even the flashbacks seemed to last forever), and don't mind uninvolved parents.


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