The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

It’s been way too long since I’ve gotten to write. I’ve read books and I’ve thought about books, and I’ve even started writing about some of the books, but I’ve just been too busy to actually follow through. When life gets crazy, something has to go. Before I took my library job this year, I signed up to be a Gateway selector. This means I am reading 26 amazing young adult novels by December 1. While at times it feels very overwhelming, these books have been selected because they are of such a high caliber and I feel lucky that my job is to read. I have finished two of the books, but I really felt compelled to write about this book.

It is about a sixteen year old girl named Lennon whose sister, Bailey, is her most trusted confidant and best friend; however, Bailey has suddenly and tragically died, leaving Lennie with only her grandmother and uncle. Her mother abandoned the two girls when they were very young and she has no idea who either of their fathers may be. Bailey’s star was the brightest in Lennie’s sky, and now that star has suddenly fallen, leaving Lennie in an ever present darkness. As Lennie struggles with the death of her sister, she finds solace in two young men; Toby, her sister’s ex-boyfriend and Joe, a new boy with amazing lashes. She is conflicted because in Toby she finds someone who understands her grief better than anyone. In Toby she finds her sister’s heart. Yet, in Joe she finds someone who never knew her sister, someone who will let her fly, and someone who fills her home with sunlight. Lennie deals with the guilt of moving on and the pain of letting go, but through her sister’s death she realizes her star can also shine just as bright. 

Nelson’s writing is poetic. Not only are her descriptions beautiful, but the story is peppered with Lennie’s poems, touching and filled with grief, anger, and confusion. This story, while touching and often sad, is also peppered with laughs (at one point Lennie discusses boners, yes boners, and how happy she is that she doesn’t have one!) I’m so jealous I cannot write in this way. This story also hits very close to home for me. As a mother of two young girls, who hopes and prays her own children become thick as thieves and closer than any friends, losing that person would be a grief I could never comprehend. Nelson captures the read and never lets go.