The Very Ordered Existence of Merilee Marvelous

By Suzanne Crowley

Merilee leads a Very Ordered Existence. V.O.E., for short.

Her schedule (which must not be altered) includes, among other entries:

• School (horrendous)
• Litter patrol (30 minutes daily)
• Lunch (PB&J and a pickle)
• Bottle return (Friday only at the Piggly Wiggly)
• Dame Fiona’s meditation show (Saturday only, 6:00 AM)

The V.O.E. is all about precision.

Merilee does not have time for Biswick O’Connor.

Merilee does not have time for Miss Veraleen Holliday.

He with his annoying factoids and runny nose. She with her shining white shoes as big as sailboats. Both of them strangers who, like the hot desert wind that brings only bad news, blow into town and change everything.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: May 5, 2009
• ISBN: 9780061858581

Suzanne Crowley

Suzanne Crowley is the author of two acclaimed novels for young readers, The Very Ordered Existence of Merilee Marvelous and The Stolen One. The author, who is also a miniaturist and dollhouse collector whose work has graced the covers of magazines worldwide, was born in a small town in Texas and lives in Southlake, Texas. suzaannecrowley.com    twitter:  suzannecrowley_writes Instagram:  @suzannecrowleyofficial facebook - suzannecrowley-author goodreads - Suzanne Crowley bookbub - Suzanne Crowley

Reviews for The Very Ordered Existence of Merilee Marvelous

[librarian1204 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Aspergers book. Very well done. Small town setting is captured very well. Lots of problem topics and the book drags in spots but worth the read for the great characters.

[miksmom · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is the first book I've read written specifically for young adults about a main character with autism. Crowley's own daughter was her inspiration for the story. It is well told in Merilee's own words, which become deeper and more fluid as she grows and changes over time. However, I felt the author added a few too many quirky characters-perhaps in an attempt to show Merilee as no less "normal" than half the townspeople. While they enlivened the story, I found it to be a little less believable than I would have liked.