83 pages 2 hours read

Val Emmich

Dear Evan Hansen

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2018

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Dear Evan Hansen by Val Emmich follows Evan Hansen, a socially anxious high school senior who unintentionally becomes entangled in a lie after classmate Connor Murphy dies by suicide. Believing a therapy letter of Evan’s was written by Connor, Connor's grieving family finds solace, leading Evan to perpetuate the falsehood in an attempt to bring comfort and gain a sense of belonging. Topics of suicide and mental health challenges are addressed.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Dear Evan Hansen by Val Emmich captures the emotional depth and complexity of its Broadway predecessor. Readers praise its heartfelt portrayal of teenage anxiety and the search for belonging, though some find the plot predictable and reliant on the musical's success. Overall, it effectively translates the story to a new medium, resonating particularly with young adult audiences.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Dear Evan Hansen?

Ideal for teens and young adults grappling with identity, loneliness, and mental health, readers of Val Emmich's Dear Evan Hansen will appreciate relatable characters and emotive storytelling. Fans of John Green's The Fault in Our Stars and Jay Asher's Thirteen Reasons Why will find this book particularly compelling.

Recommended

Reading Age

14+years

Lexile Level

HL590L

Book Details

Themes

Relationships: Family

Genre

Realistic Fiction