The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

Source: Won in a giveaway

Publication date: March 9, 2010

Publisher: Dial

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars

Summary from Goodreads.com: 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 was another one of those books that everyone told me I had to read but I just never got to.  Fortunately I won it in a giveaway and someone in my book club just happened to be raving about it the day it arrived in my mailbox.   I did not think it would live up to the hype but it was an unbelievably moving story.  Lennie’s grief was so crippling that it was painful to read about and yet I was sucked into the maelstrom of feelings swirling around inside her and could not put the book down.  After suffering the loss of the sister whom she thought had no secrets from her one surprising revelation after another come to light and leaves Lennie staggering wondering what other secrets her sister had been hiding.

Enter in Joe.  It’s funny he is described as having one of those smiles and presence that makes everyone around him smile and I found myself smiling and laughing despite the sorrow you feel for Lennie.  I could feel the joy coming off the pages whenever he was around.  I absolutely adored him and his brothers.  I had a harder time processing and understanding Lennie’s relationship with Toby.  At first I couldn’t understand what was driving the two of them together until I really tried to put myself into her shoes and imagine the depth of grief and craving for comfort she must be feeling.

This entire story was just amazing and touched my heart.  It is one of the few books I have read and decided to add to my keeper shelf.  Thanks to everyone who suggested I read this story and if you haven’t definitely go check it out!

Be Sociable, Share!

•