Evolution, Me & Other Freaks of Nature

Reader reviewed by Ari

I had read this book expecting something as amazing as Fat Cat. I was met with something even better. This book showed how seperation of church and state causes issues all the time in school, especially when studying evolution. So when Mena first meets her lab partner I already tell myself, "Just wait at the end of this book they will be together." Although Robin Brande brings into play that classic scenario I still loved this book. Honestly there were a few points were I jumped up screaming, "I JUST KNEW THAT WOULD HAPPEN!" and others were I was like, "wasnt expecting that." Or I was just purley confused and had a dumb struck look on face wondering what was going on. Although confusing and some what predictable I loved that about this book. Not something you would hear all the time. I found that there were a lot of moments I felt like hurting, or hugging one of the characters. Another great quality about this book. You actually get to connect with all the characters. Supporting, major, or even insignifigant. This book connects with people. There were a few parts I was just frustrated with how some characters were acting and I was ready to throw the book out the window. But what is to be expected, I find a lot of books do that. This one though a minute later would change my mind and have me go, "Oh scratch that, I will continue reading."

Reader reviewed by Adriana M.

I really enjoyed this book. The main character, Mena, is forced to deal with having her entire church, classmates, former friends, and even her parents turn their backs on her when she stands up for another member of her group when he is being unfairly persecuted and targeted. Although she speaks up in the form of a letter, circumstances arise that balloon into lawsuits for her church and the potential of financial devastation for her family's business. She manages to overcome bullying that includes physical shoving and name-calling, and ends up meeting a classmate whose family adopts her when they work on a project together. Through her new friends and her own development, Mena is able to understand why she made the right choice and in the end come to terms with how her beliefs and scientific evolution can have a place together. In the end I was rooting for her and I got the sense of really getting to know her and sensing her personal growth.

Reader reviewed by Mary

Mena has good reason to not want to attend school. Everyone at school hates her. But then again, staying at home wouldn't be much better. Her parents say they're not mad at her but she cn tell especially since they sometimes refuse to talk to her.

Mena always thought you were supposed to do the right thing. And so she did it and what did she get? The position of social outcast. But luckily for her there are some people that don't care/don't know about her new social standing. Casey is one of them. Soon Casey and Mena become closer as Mena realizes that sometimes you have to tell the truth and stand up for what you believe in...


This is an extremely good book with both an interesting plotline and interesting characters. It really hooked me in. I can't wait to read Robin Brande's next books.

Reader reviewed by MRose52

An adorable tale of wit and love. "evolution..." will make readers question their belifs.

When Mena sends in a letter to defend a boy in her school, she didnt know it would be used in cour to sue her church for millions of dollars! Now wveryone hates her! And when her new teacher, Mrs. Shepard, starts teaching about evolution, overhalf the class revolts into chaos, staging protests and refusing to participate. A few months ago, Mena would have been one of them, but now that she's no longer one of them, she can have opinions of her own...so what are they?

Thsi book will keep you turning until the last page! Make sure to pick it up, it is definatly a teen must-read.