Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

Pages: 306

Intended Audience: Teens

Genre: Romance / Adventure

Notes for Parents: Contains sexuality, abuse, and other mature content.

The Back Cover

My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla.

But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window and I see him. He’s tall, lean, and wearing all black—black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly.

Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I, Maddy, am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

The book was made into a movie in 2017. My version of the paperback included photographs from the movie.

What’s good?

The unfortunately circumstances in the lives of Maddy and Ollie make them perfect for each other. This is a love story between an overprotected girl and her abused next-door neighbor, both of whom are being denied the simple pleasures of being an average teen. The premise is simple, the chapters are short, and the pace is quick thanks to drawings, lists, and instant messages. The characters are well-drawn and very likeable.

Best Part: Carla and Rosa.

What isn’t good?

It was predictable. I guessed the ending about a quarter of the way in. I was disappointed with how underwhelmed Maddy is by all the new things that she experiences. For someone who’s been shut away her entire life, I would have expected much more emotion from her.

Worst part: Nothing is terrible.

Recommendation ☺☺☺☻☻ (3/5)

I liked the story, and I enjoyed the format even more. The messages, lists, notes, and drawings, made Ollie and Maddy’s romance even sweeter and more entertaining. Despite its predictability, the story unfolded quickly, with humor and charm, and an engaging, albeit small, cast of characters. Recommended.

Yoon, Nicola. Everything, Everything. New York: Penguin, 2015.