CCBC-Net Archives

favorites of the year

From: Jo S. Kittinger <jskittinger_at_gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 06 Dec 2011 10:19:45 -0600

One of my favorites recently was The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson. This debut YA novel has gorgeous writing.

From School Library Journal Grade 10 Up—When her older sister dies from an arrhythmia,17-year-old Lennie finds that people are awkward around her, including her bestfriend. While dealing with her conflicted feelings toward her sister'sboyfriend, her anguish over Bailey's unexpected death, and her sudden curiosityabout sex, Lennie must also cope with her unresolved feelings about her mother,who left when Lennie was an infant. Debut author Nelson expertly and movinglychronicles the myriad, roller-coaster emotions that follow a tragedy, includingLennie's reluctance to box up her sister's belongings and her guilt over burstsof happiness. The portrayal of the teen's state of mind is believable, as arethe romanticizing of her absent mother and the brief scenes of underagedrinking and sexual exploration. Chapters are typically anchored by briefsnippets of Lennie's writings. This is a heartfelt and appealing tale. Girls whogobble up romantic and/or weep-over fiction will undoubtedly flock to thisrealistic, sometim es funny, and heartbreaking story.—Jennifer Schultz,Fauquier County Public Library, Warrenton, VA

Jo

Jo S. Kittinger Co-Regional Advisor Southern Breeze SCBWI

Author of ROSA'S BUS www.jokittinger.com
Received on Tue 06 Dec 2011 10:19:45 AM CST