By: Nicola Yoon
Synopsis:
Madeline is a seventeen year old girl who has never been outside of her house. She suffers from a rare disorder called SCID, which is also known as Bubble Baby Disease. If she leaves her house, she is very likely to get sick and die. So she doesn't. She lives alone with her mother, and the only other in-person socialization she takes part of is with her caretaker, Carla. Madeline is content in her life, and makes the most of her depressing situation, until one day an attractive teenage boy, Olly, moves in next door and changes her outlook on life. Communicating strictly, at first, through instant messaging and emails, Madeline quickly develops feelings that she has never felt before: love. Madeline soon begins to wonder if simply being alive is more important than actually having a chance to really live.
Appeals and Characteristics of Young Adult:
- Pace: This book starts off a little slow (the main character is homebound and the first half of the book is learning about her day-to-day routines inside her home), but then changes suddenly, drawing the reader in and leaving them wanting more.
- Characterization: The book is centered around teenage Madeline and her love interest, Olly. Both characters are well-developed and likable, which is common in young adult books. Madeline’s mother is also a main character, as she and Madeline’s caretaker are pretty much the only two people who Madeline is able to be around due to her extreme illness. Without spoiling anything, some of the characters take a turn for the worst, and a big twist leaves readers heartbroken and confused.
- Theme: The theme of this book is teenage romance, which is a common theme of young adult books. As with most teenage romances, it’s not an easy love story. The two main characters fall in love without ever thinking they’d be able to touch or be in the same room as one another.
- Tone: I thought the tone of the book was depressing, as it centered around a teenager who spent her entire life (seventeen years) cooped inside her house for fear that if she left she’d have an allergic reaction and die. There are obviously more upbeat and happy parts to this book, but most of the tone is a bit somber.
Read-A-Likes:
If you enjoyed Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon, you might want to try the following titles:
- Zac and Mia by A.J. Betts
- The Fault in Our Stars by John Greene
- Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
- Under Rose-Tainted Skies by Louise Gornell
