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Friday, March 12, 2010

Review: The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
Pub. Date: March 2010
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Format: Hardcover, 288pp
Age Range: Young Adult

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.

Once in a while, a book comes along and captures your heart completely. THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE wrapped itself around my heart and held on tight.

Lennie’s journey through grief, love, and self-discovery enraptured me throughout the entire book. The contrasts between Lennie’s demeanor around Joe and Toby quickly reeled me in page by page. Joe represented sunny blue skies and new life for Lennie as she struggled with her grief over her sister’s death. I found myself falling in love with this character through Lennie’s eyes - Bat.Bat.Bat (Read the book and you’ll get what I’m saying). The grief-stricken scenes with Lennie and Toby continued to break my heart as they clung to one another for some semblance of life without Bailey. The characters in this novel are so realistic and heartwarming, I couldn’t have asked for a better cast.

There are so many aspects that I enjoyed about this book. I loved the Walker family dynamics which included Grams - the Garden Guru, Uncle Big – the ever so eccentric, and even Lennie’s thoughts on her absentee mom. I also loved how Lennie wrote poems and notes to be scattered by the wind for someone else to find. I couldn’t imagine how this book would play out and all the unexpected surprises made me appreciate this book even more.

This is a testament to Nelson’s writing that I found myself smiling, laughing, heart-broken, and tearing up in accordance with Lennie. Have you ever wanted a book NOT to end? I fell in love with THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE and did not want it to end. This is one of those novels that I will keep close to my heart. The writing is splendid and I was an emotional wreck by the end of this book. I did not want to part with this book.

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars


Check out the book trailer!

37 comments:

  1. Great review! This sounds awesome! I like that the boys were described as the sun and the moon. Looks like this is a really great book of emotional struggle and emotional growth since you gave it 5 stars. The Walker family seems to be composed of unique individuals. I like unexpected events. Will be looking out for this one!

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  2. I really wanna read this book. I am a little embarrassed to say that I put it off because I don't like the cover that much, but I've seen a few reviews now and I am definetly going to be reading it. :]

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  3. I'm so glad to hear that everyone loves this book. I just ordered myself a copy today. :)

    Lovely review. I love it when books really impact your life.

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  4. I can totally relate to Lenny being a bookworm. Sounds like a great book.

    Nice review!

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  5. This sounds like my kind of book. I can't WAIT to read it.

    Great review!!!

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  6. Wonderful review! I haven't gotten a chance to read this yet, but it definitely sounds like a book I would really enjoy. Thanks :)

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  7. great review! i'm going to try and get this book for review soon. it sounds really good!

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  8. Wicked review. I hope I get to read this one soon.

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  9. This is the first review I've seen for this book. I'm glad is was perfect 5 stars. Sounds like something most of us bookworms can relate to.

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  10. I'm glad you enjoyed this one. I've seen quite a few mixed reviews, but none that liked it as much as you. I really want to check it out!

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  11. Great review! Now I want to read this:)

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  12. I love swoon worthy boys. Bat.Bat.Bat. LOL. Great review. I have to check this out!

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  13. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this book. All the feelings and attachment you describe in your review? I felt the same way! I haven't been this entranced by a book since JELLICOE ROAD!

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  14. Wow Tina! What a wonderful review! I really want to
    read this book. Its on my wish list and I can't
    wait to read it. Now more than ever. Your
    review was brilliant. I had never seen the
    trailer before. Its awesome! =)

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  15. Awesome review!! I've got to read this one..

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  16. This book sounds well worth reading. Thank's for the great review.

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  17. This sounds like a really interesting book.

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  18. i liked your review and i'm adding this book to my list right away, it sounds really great!

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  19. The more I hear about this book, the more I want to read it. At first I wasn't too interested, but reviews like this have changed my mind!

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  20. Sounds like heart pulling book. Two cute boys never hurt!

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  21. Great review! It sounds awesome. I love the cover. It's so simple, yet looks like a book you should pick up and read!

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  22. Wow, what an amazing review! You did a great job capturing and explaining how the novel drew you in. I really want to read this!

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  23. Wow, this sounds like such an interesting book! I'll have to add this to my way-too-long list of books to read.

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  24. This book sounds like an emotional read for sure! I have added this book to my book list, but I have several in front that I really need to finish. Very nice review ... thanks for sharing.

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  25. This book sounds so good, and it doesn't hurt that the cover is beautiful. ;) It's times like these when I wish that a) the lines in the library weren't so freaking long, or b) that I actually had enough money to buy this book!

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  26. I'm excited to read this. It sounds so good :)

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  27. Wow! Your review leaves me wanting to run out and get the book right now. However I will wait to see if I am lucky enought to win it. This sounds like one you don't want to put down.

    lag110@mchsi.com

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  28. Awesome review ! I feel as though this is the kinda book I'll get lost in & won't wanna put down.

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  29. Great review! This book sounds really interesting. I really want to read it!

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  30. I enjoyed the enthusiasm in your review! I could tell how much you loved this book. I need to win this book so I can see for myself!

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

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  31. this book looks really good! I can't wait to read it!

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  32. Lennie seems like a touching character, who navigates new and difficult experiences throughout the book. Thank you for a great review! I've added this novel to my To Be Read list.

    saemmerson at yahoo dot com

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  33. Respect and that i have a dandy give: House Renovation What Order house renovation budget

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