The List of Things That Will Not Change is a realistic fiction novel written by Rebecca Stead and originally published in 2020. She has written seven middle-grade novels so far and she is known for her honest depictions of difficult topics that preteens face, such as The Effects of Parental Divorce in Childhood. Protagonist Bea’s journey sees her discovering The Relationship Between Mental Health, Behavior, and Emotions in the wake of her parents’ divorce and her dad’s remarriage, ultimately finding The Stability of Unconditional Love in Families.

This guide utilizes the 2022 First Yearling edition of the novel.

Content Warning: This guide and its source material addresses LGTBQ+ and anti-gay discrimination and bias.

Plot Summary

Bea is 12 years old when she recounts the years following her parents’ divorce, when she was eight to 10 years old. She begins with an anecdote about her dad, Daniel, and his brother, Uncle Frank; they would listen to the corn grow together when they were children. Nobody else could hear it, but they always could because of their connection to one another.

When Bea’s parents told her they were getting a divorce and Bea’s dad came out as gay, Bea’s parents gave her a notebook with a list of permanent things, like their love for her and the fact that they would always be a family. After the divorce, Bea remembers going out to the lake cabin and missing her mother, who had always been there before. Her cousins made fun of her for having divorced parents, and Bea kicked one of them—Angelica. Angelica fell off the loft bed as a result. Bea’s parents had different rules and different standards, and Bea had to adjust to all of it. For example, her mom and dad disagreed on how hot of a fever required her to stay home. Her life was unpredictable at times because of their disagreements about how to raise her, but also because of her emotional responses to the changes.

Bea was happy to hear her dad would be marrying Jesse and added Jesse to her list. Daniel decided to come out after he almost choked to death on an orange. Jesse happened to be the one who saved him, and they soon fell in love. Though she likes Jesse, she was often unable to sleep at her dad’s new apartment. Thankfully, Jesse’s sister Sheila was always there for Bea, and even after she stopped babysitting, would still come over to visit. Bea wonders about how her mother feels about her dad’s remarriage, and she worries about her mother’s potential hidden sadness.

Jesse and Bea’s dad planned to have the wedding at Beatrice, Daniel’s restaurant, and Bea hoped her mom would attend despite everything. Bea began seeing a therapist named Miriam. . Bea told Miriam about a Halloween party where she pushed her best friend Angus off a chair during a party game, and Miriam reminded her that she isn’t a bad person—she just needs to think before acting.

Daniel and Jesse announced that Bea will gain a sister when they marry; Bea was thrilled. Sonia is Bea’s age but lives in California with her mom, siblings, and stepfather. Miriam cautioned Bea to empathize with how Sonia might feel about everything. Bea wrote lengthy letters to Sonia about her life, her family, and school. Bea tried to encourage Sonia to write more and always signed letters as her sister but Sonia seemed distant and not as enthusiastic as Bea.

When Sonia finally came for a visit three months later, Bea found her difficult to read and was surprised when Sonia got upset at dinner. Miriam explained to Bea that Sonia’s feelings were complex and not always as they appeared. When they went to bed that first night, Sonia didn’t speak, and Bea’s eczema flared up. On the second night, Bea decided to share one of her story tapes with Sonia. Made by her grandfather for her dad, Bea’s tapes are precious to her. She and Sonia listened to Frog and Toad, which Sonia seemed to like. Bea and Sonia continued to write letters after Sonia went back to California.

Bea’s dad heard that Angelica’s face had started to droop, and Bea wondered if it had anything to do with when she fell off the loft. She kept this to herself, feeling guilty. While making invitations for the wedding, Sonia joined on Skype, but it quickly became awkward when she was told that her Uncle Mission wouldn’t be at the wedding because he didn’t support it. Hearing about Mission also upset Sheila, who was still angry at him for treating Jesse that way. Bea wondered if Sonia would ever abandon her and decided to invite Uncle Mission to the wedding in secret. Sonia started to become distant. Bea kept writing to her anyway, and started worrying more about Sonia, her parents, Angelica, and Uncle Mission.

Bea asked Sheila about Mission, and Sheila explained that both Mission and Jesse’s parents rejected him for being gay. Mission stopped talking to Jesse when he came out for the second time, 10 years into his marriage to Sonia’s mom. Bea wondered who her true self was. A couple of weeks before the wedding, Bea got to go registry shopping with Jesse, and Sonia apologized for being distant, admitting she was overwhelmed by all the changes. Bea told Sonia about the two moons she saw out her window as a child, and Sonia joked that it was sort of like a superpower.

Bea admitted to inviting Mission, but nobody was angry with her. Bea’s mom began cooking on her own and feeling more confident, and Bea felt inspired to tell Miriam about her biggest secret. When Angelica fell off the loft two summers before, Bea had kicked her off of the edge. After two days of Angelica not including her and withstanding bullying from others, Bea snapped and took it out on Angelica. Miriam assured her she wasn’t a bad person, and Bea felt better after telling her.

On the day of the wedding, Bea felt proud of her mother for attending and apologized to Angelica (whose condition improved) for pushing her off the loft, resolving her years-long guilt. During the vows, Mission tried to stop his brother from getting married, but Jesse just stood proudly. Mission was asked to leave, and on his way out, he pushed the cake off the table, ruining it. The guests began singing You Are My Sunshine, the wedding proceeded, and Bea felt like she had a brand-new family. Bea ends with the story of the corn again, noting how acceptance and understanding are the primary ingredients of unconditional love.