Hazel’s Theory of Evolution

Winner of the Lambda Literary Award!

The Thing About Jellyfish meets Raymie Nightingale in this tender middle grade novel from Lisa Jenn Bigelow, acclaimed author of Drum Roll, Please.

Hazel knows a lot about the world. That’s because when she’s not hanging with her best friend, taking care of her dog, or helping care for the goats on her family's farm, she loves reading through dusty encyclopedias.

But even Hazel doesn’t have answers for the questions awaiting her as she enters eighth grade. What if no one at her new school gets her, and she doesn't make any friends? What’s going to happen to one of her moms, who’s pregnant again after having two miscarriages? Why does everything have to change when life was already perfectly fine?

As Hazel struggles to cope, she’ll come to realize that sometimes you have to look within yourself—instead of the pages of a book—to find the answer to life’s most important questions.

For a girl who loves facts, the world is suddenly full of feelings. Can she find her own theory for how to survive?

An LGBTQ Family Story: Hazel loves her life on the farm with her two moms, but a new baby on the way after two heartbreaking losses threatens the family's delicate balance. Navigating New Friendships: Starting eighth grade at a new school is tough, but Hazel soon finds unexpected allies in Carina and Yosh, who know exactly what it’s like to be different. Facing Big Feelings: As her oldest friendship drifts away and her family changes, Hazel must confront the real-life anxieties of growing up when all she wants is for things to stay the same. Authentic Representation: Featuring a lovingly drawn cast of characters that includes a transgender friend and a friend who uses a wheelchair, this story celebrates finding your people.