The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Goodreads Summary:
Seventeen-year-old Lennie Walker, bookworm and band geek, plays second clarinet and spends her time tucked safely and happily in the shadow of her fiery older sister, Bailey. But when Bailey dies abruptly, Lennie is catapulted to center stage of her own life - and, despite her nonexistent history with boys, suddenly finds herself struggling to balance two. Toby was Bailey's boyfriend; his grief mirrors Lennie's own. Joe is the new boy in town, a transplant from Paris whose nearly magical grin is matched only by his musical talent. For Lennie, they're the sun and the moon; one boy takes her out of her sorrow, the other comforts her in it. But just like their celestial counterparts, they can't collide without the whole wide world exploding.
This remarkable debut is perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen, Deb Caletti, and Francesca Lia Block. Just as much a celebration of love as it is a portrait of loss, Lennie's struggle to sort her own melody out of the noise around her is always honest, often hilarious, and ultimately unforgettable.
My Review:
Hands down, one of the most beautiful novels I have read. Ever. I absolutely loved THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE. And without a doubt, this gets my best read for 2012. It definitely has made my top 5 of all YA.
THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE was filled with such raw emotion, as Lennie deals with not only the death of her sister, but living life without ever knowing her birth mother. And then there are the two boys, Toby and Joe. One who wanders just as lost as Lennie does, trying to find his place in the world without Bailey. And one who makes her realize that life does move on, even when it's stopped for someone else.
The secondary characters - Gram and Big - both offered truly unique anchors for Lennie. Gram, who became the mother she didn't realize she had. And Big, offering his words of wisdom in a powerful, yet subtle way.
Exquisite writing that painted a world full of grief and sadness and ultimately, how finding happiness is a possibility.
Jandy Nelson is an author who writes words every writer dreams of writing, but very few seldom do. I am overwhelmed by this story, almost breathless. It was simply amazing and I loved every single word.
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