'Holding Up the Universe' by Jennifer Niven is a young adult novel that follows the story of two teenagers, Libby Strout and Jack Masselin, who come from different backgrounds but find common ground in their struggles with insecurities. Libby, once known as America's Fattest Teen, is trying to start afresh in high school after losing weight and dealing with the grief of losing her mother. Jack, a popular jock, hides a secret condition called prosopagnosia, making it difficult for him to recognize faces. When they meet under unusual circumstances, they form an unlikely friendship that helps them navigate through their personal challenges and high school life.
The book is narrated through alternating perspectives of Libby and Jack, offering a moving and poignant portrayal of their individual journeys towards self-acceptance and personal growth. As they bond over shared experiences of feeling different, they learn to lean on each other for support and understanding, emphasizing the importance of unity in the face of diversity. With themes of courage, friendship, and self-worth, 'Holding Up the Universe' delivers a heartfelt message of embracing one's uniqueness and finding strength in vulnerability.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include discussions surrounding obesity, mental illness, bullying, and themes of grief.
Has Romance?
The romance between Jack and Libby is a significant aspect of the story, developing amidst their personal challenges.
From The Publisher:
A New York Times Bestseller
From the author of the New York Times bestseller All the Bright Places comes a heart-wrenching story about what it means to see someone-and love someone-for who they truly are.
Everyone thinks they know Libby Strout, the girl once dubbed "America's Fattest Teen." But no one's taken the time to look past her weight to get to know who she really is. Following her mom's death, she's been picking up the pieces in the privacy of her home, dealing with her heartbroken father and her own grief. Now, Libby's ready: for high school, for new friends, for love, and for EVERY POSSIBILITY LIFE HAS TO OFFER. In that moment, I know the part I want to play here at MVB High. I want to be the girl who can do anything.
Everyone thinks they know Jack Masselin, too. Yes, he's got swagger, but he's also mastered the impossible art of giving people what they want, of fitting in. What no one knows is that Jack has a newly acquired secret: he can't recognize faces. Even his own brothers are strangers to him. He's the guy who can re-engineer and rebuild anything in new and bad-ass ways, but he can't understand what's going on with the inner workings of his brain. So he tells himself to play it cool: Be charming. Be hilarious. Don't get too close to anyone.
Until he meets Libby. When the two get tangled up in a cruel high school game-which lands them in group counseling and community service-Libby and Jack are both pissed, and then surprised. Because the more time they spend together, the less alone they feel. . . . Because sometimes when you meet someone, it changes the world, theirs and yours.
Jennifer Niven delivers another poignant, exhilarating love story about finding that person who sees you for who you are-and seeing them right back.
"Niven is adept at creating characters. . . . [Libby's] courage and body-positivity make for a joyful reading experience." -The New York Times
"Holding Up the Universe . . . taps into the universal need to be understood. To be wanted. And that's what makes it such a remarkable read." -TeenVogue.com, "Why New Book Holding Up the Universe Is the Next The Fault in Our Stars"
"Want a love story that will give you all the feels? . . . You'll seriously melt!" -Seventeen Magazine
Ratings (19)
Incredible (3) | |
Loved It (10) | |
Liked It (3) | |
It Was OK (2) | |
Did Not Like (1) |
Reader Stats (45):
Read It (17) | |
Currently Reading (2) | |
Want To Read (23) | |
Did Not Finish (1) | |
Not Interested (2) |
3 comment(s)
I LOVEX IT
This book opened my eyes to a new disorder that I never knew existed.
I had never heard of Prosopagnosia and it was interesting to learn more about it as it was further explained throughout the book. I am glad that Jack was able to pluck up the courage to tell his family and schoolmates, even if the reasoning behind it was a little off.
This was overall a really good book and I will possibly be looking into other books that Jennifer Niven has written.
"America's Fattest Teen" !! First of all, I didn't know that there was actually a person named with this title. It's so cruel to do that! Identifying a person with size,colour,education,money and religion is wrong. Totally. If you don't feel so, please read this book.
Such a wonderful book penned by Jennifer Niven. Libby , once "America's Fattest Teen" is coping with her re-entry to school and her anxiety, finds friends, enemies and love. Jack has prosopagnosia (face blindness, i had no clue that this happens to people) and pretends to be all self-important but kind at heart. It's about how these both people find each other along with social insecurities, illness, family issues, bullying.
Libby is such a wonderful, optimistic character, that just bursts out with different colors. I just loved her. Jack is handsome and confused but lovable. Other characters are also portrayed very well. Summing up, A wonderful YA book, which made me read it slow to enjoy the emotions.
What can you read after
Holding Up the Universe?
About the Author:
Jennifer Niven is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of All the Bright Places, Holding Up the Universe, Breathless, and, with David Levithan, Take Me With You When You Go as well as the popular Velva Jean series and non-fiction for…
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