Bliss Adair and the First Rule of Knitting

Gr 9 Up–This novel follows somewhat awkward but endearing 16-year-old Bliss Adair, a math genius and knitting whiz, as she navigates her way through the confusing mess of high school and its social situations. Bliss has always gotten by in life by applying the first rule of knitting: “don’t look too far ahead, one stitch at a time.” This has served her well until one day, while working in her parents' yarn store, she overhears a secret with the potential to destroy the family of a classmate and must make a difficult choice on what she will do with this information. This story works to reaffirm that not all of life’s issues follow logic or can be reasoned with. Although the underlying issues present in the book are not necessarily resolved by the end, they are addressed as Bliss eventually comes to terms with the challenges she faces. Mills’s characters exist in an age-relevant and enjoyable read where their development feels authentic and realistic. The book also includes some of the easier knitting patterns that are mentioned in the story at the back of the book for those brave enough to try.