Synopses & Reviews
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 are 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 remarkable debut is perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen, Deb Caletti, and Francesca Lia Block. Just as much a celebration of love as it is a portrait of loss, Lennie's struggle to sort her own melody out of the noise around her is always honest, often hilarious, and ultimately unforgettable.
Review
"This honest, complex debut is distinguished by a dreamy California setting and poetic images that will draw readers in to Lennie's world." Publishers Weekly, starred review
Review
"It's romantic without being gooey and tear jerking without being campy — what more could a reader want?" BCCB, starred review
Review
"[U]nusually rich with both insight and breathless romance." Los Angeles Times
Review
"An intimate story about coping with loss, Nelson's first novel is tender, romantic, and loaded with passion." The Horn Book
Review
"Debut author Nelson expertly and movingly chronicles the myriad, roller-coaster emotions that follow a tragedy, including Lennie's reluctance to box up her sister's belongings and her guilt over bursts of happiness....This is a heartfelt and appealing tale. School Library Journal
Synopsis
Adrift after her sister Bailey's sudden death, Lennie finds herself torn between quiet, seductive Toby Bailey's boyfriend who shares her grief and Joe, the new boy in town who bursts with life and musical genius. Each offers Lennie something she desperately needs... though she knows if the two of them collide her whole world will explode.
Join Lennie on this heartbreaking and hilarious journey of profound sorrow and mad love, as she makes colossal mistakes and colossal discoveries, as she traipses through band rooms and forest bedrooms and ultimately right into your heart.
As much a celebration of love as a poignant portrait of loss, Lennie's struggle to sort her own melody out of the noise around her is always honest, often uproarious, and absolutely unforgettable."
Synopsis
Jandy Nelson's beloved, critically adored debut is soon to be an Apple TV+ Original Film starring Jason Segel, Cherry Jones, and Grace Kaufman.
"Both a profound meditation on loss and grieving and an exhilarating and very sexy romance. --NPR Adrift after her sister Bailey's sudden death, Lennie finds herself torn between quiet, seductive Toby--Bailey's boyfriend who shares Lennie's grief--and Joe, the new boy in town who bursts with life and musical genius. Each offers Lennie something she desperately needs. One boy helps her remember. The other lets her forget. And she knows if the two of them collide, her whole world will explode.
As much a laugh-out-loud celebration of love as a nuanced and poignant portrait of loss, Lennie's struggle to sort her own melody out out the noise around her makes for an always honest, often uproarious, and absolutely unforgettable read.
Synopsis
Lennie Walker, a 17-year-old bookworm and band geek, spends her time tucked safely and happily in the shadow of her fiery older sister, Bailey. But when Bailey suddenly dies, Lennie is catapulted to center stage of her own life.
Synopsis
Lennie plays second clarinet in the school orchestra and has always happily been second fiddle to her charismatic older sister, Bailey. Then Bailey dies suddenly, and Lennie is left at sea without her anchor. Overcome by emotion, Lennie soon finds herself torn between two boys: Bailey's boyfriend, Toby, and Joe, the charming and musically gifted new boy in town. While Toby can't see her without seeing Bailey and Joe sees her only for herself, each offers Lennie something she desperately needs. But ultimately, it's up to Lennie to find her own way toward what she really needs — without Bailey. A remarkable debut novel perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen, Deb Caletti, and Francesca Lia Block.
About the Author
Jandy Nelson is a literary agent and a published poet. The Sky Is Everywhere is her first novel. She lives in San Francisco, California.