Books: 'Clues to the Universe' and 'Revolution U'

Oh, to have the talent to be published under a HarperCollins imprint while still in college.

Glenbrook North graduate Christina Li, Class of 2017, had her middle-grade novel, "Clues to the Universe" (Quill Tree Books), published on Jan. 12.

Her full-time pursuit is as a senior economics major, with a minor in data science, at Stanford University.

"I've gotten wonderful responses from readers, from friends who have read it," Li said.

"It's been really lovely. I've gotten really, really kind notes from people - from kids and parents."

At 304 pages in hardcover, "Clues to the Universe" is written for students in third through seventh grade, from about 8 to 12 years old.

It's a work of fiction set in 1980 that pairs young protagonists and science class partners Rosalind, or "Ro," and Benjamin, or "Benji," as they become unlikely friends. Each has a father who is absent - one due to death, the other to divorce. The young students face their grief, others' bullying, and work through their differences to find meaning and, yes, piece together clues to some of the biggest questions in the universe.

As Li said, "It's about space, friendship and finding your own way in the world."

Like Li, the character of Ro is Chinese American.

"It was a really joyful experience to bring that experience to the page," said Li, who praised her agent, Jess Regal of Helm Literary Agency, for helping the novel see print. Written during summer breaks from school, Li wrote "Clues to the Universe" over two years before selling it in the summer of 2019.

The young author said the seeds of her muse were planted long ago. Among the acknowledgments in "Clues to the Universe" is the Northbrook Public Library and "the infamous eighth grade Wood Oaks Science Fair crew."

Li also sourced her own youth.

"I was able to reach for that feeling of shyness I had when I was a kid," she said.

She's currently working on another middle-grade book set in present-day San Francisco. Though the premise is different, Li said, the story is similar: "figuring out the world around you and growing up and dealing with all the changes."

Her vantage point is unique.

"There weren't a lot of books that had Asian American characters when I was growing up," Li said. "I think it's just wonderful that I get to write these books and sort of be able to contribute to children's literature in that way."

'Revolution U'

Melissa Novack, half of the Glencoe husband-and-wife team that in late 2020 launched Revolution U - a subscription-based company offering on-demand fitness classes, a healthy habits program, support groups and one-on-one coaching - has written an accompanying book.

"Revolution U: change your habits, change your life" guides readers through a series of exercises designed to replace bad habits with beneficial thoughts and behaviors to create a more meaningful life.

The 204-page softcover book includes a daily planner in which readers can put this knowledge into action and create their own accountability plan.

Novack is a licensed clinical social worker, registered yoga teacher and also a co-founder of True Mind & Body wellness center in Northbrook.

Her husband and Revolution U partner Matt Friedman is an Athletics and Fitness Association of America instructor and a certified indoor cycling instructor - in addition to being an attorney.

"Revolution U" is available through Amazon and on the Revolution U website, joinrevolutionu.com.