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Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon

Madeline or Maddy Whittier is 18 years old and the only people she can interact with is her mother and her nurse, Carla. She lost her father and brother and she cannot go out. All of her life, she's been home because of her SCID or severe combined immunodeficiency. The only possible way for her to go to another place is if it's been sanitized. However, her life changes when a new family moves out to her next door and when the family's son, Olly, becomes her friend. They always messaged each other, but never met in person until Maddy's nurse, Carla, sneaks Olly into Maddy's house. When Maddy's mother finds out about them, she bans her and make the restrictions harder, but Maddy kept messaging Olly secretly. As she got to know Olly more, she found out that she's not the only one with family problems. Olly's father is abusive, and his sister has smoking problem. Finally, one day Maddy finds out about a very important secret that her mother has been keeping from her for almost her entire life when she and Olly go to Hawaii secretly.

I believe Everything, Everything, by Nicola Yoon, has a lot to teach its audience. Sometimes we keep important things away from those people that we care and keep them as secrets because we think it'd be better for the person not to know, but we don't realize that the lie is far worse and can even destroy the person's life. This is just like what Maddy's mother did to her and I cannot tell what she's been keeping from her because it'd be spoiled. The book made me shocked, especially at the very end. I really didn't expect that ending. Also, it made me think deeply about how I care about others and how I respond to difficult situations. I think it'd be a great book for teenagers and young adults because of its important life lessons.

Reviewed by Orkideh, Grade 12
Glendale Central Library

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MW said…
17-year-old Madeline Whittier is a teenage girl who is diagnosed with SCID, also known as severe combined immunodeficiency disease. SCID is a lifelong lasting disease which involves having many basic objects or being surrounded by a typical environment as a trigger. Think of spraying a bottle of perfume or being outside your own house inhaling fresh air. Since it can be very unfortunate to experience the outside world, Madeline likes to do a lot of things involving technology and it led her to making new friends such as Olly who is her neighbor and also considered an internet best friend since they talk a lot by email. With Olly trying to be a good friend somehow, he tries to help her go out into the real world so she would know what the experience is like but her mom and doctors disapprove. But although, Olly and Madeline eventually find a way to do this.

I thought that this is one of the most emotional stories I've ever encountered in a book. I never thought that a fictitious disease like SCID would actually be written in a story like this because without abbreviating the whole thing, the name is just too long. If the disease had a shorter representation on what it meant, then not only for me but for other people would possibly find that preferable. Now why did I want to read this book in the first place? Because in my opinion, the cover looked really nice and colorful to me which can help make a reader individually feel attracted into reading it, meaning they would probably develop interest into checking it out themselves. I learned that there is a movie adaptation to this book as well so hopefully maybe I will be able to see it in any possible way as I can whether it may be on Netflix or Youtube. I hope once I see the movie, I can try finding the similarities and differences between the movie and the book itself. If you are a fan of books that can be developed into movies and films, I would recommend that book to you. Or if you already watched the movie, then why not read the book? There is nothing really that I didn't like about reading this but if I had to say, then I don't really like how long it is and how it's overly too detailed. I find that this is a very good book because the author decided to add in a plot twist. I'm not going to say what the plot twist was all about because I'll let you guys figure that out by reading such an amazing book. Just take the time to read this novel if you have a passion for reading anything!

Reviewed by Hannah R., Grade 10
Downtown Central Library
June 30, 2020 at 5:44 PM
MW said…
"Everything, Everything" by Nicola Yoon is about a teenage girl named Madeline who has a very rare disease called severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). This disease prevents Madeline from interacting with the outside world and with other people who are not cleansed. Madeline lives with her mother, Pauline, who is at work most of the time so Carla, Madeline's nurse, takes care of her. Her father and her brother both died a long time ago in a car accident. Madeline enjoys reading a lot books in her free time. One day, Madeline noticed that there is a new family moving in next door. There was a boy, whose name is Olly, in the family, around her age, and they immediately got a hold of each other's emails so they could communicate with each other. They continue to text each other until Madeline's mother, prevents her from texting Olly because Madeline has not been doing her schoolwork. One day, Madeline noticed how toxic and drunk Olly's father is and how his mother had no power to do anything about it but she didn't want to ask Olly about it as it is none of her business and Olly would tell her when he feels ready. Madeline told Carla about all about Olly and how the more they text the more they fall in love with each other. So Carla allows Olly to come over to Madeline's house, without letting Pauline know. But, Olly and Madeline must be at the opposite side of the room at all times.

When Olly came over to Madeline's house, they learned so much about each other and fell more in love with each other. Carla and Madeline both agreed to invite Olly over again on the Fourth of July. On the Fourth of July, Madeline and Olly were so close to each other, they even shared a kiss. Olly made Madeline realize that she has not been living, so they decided to travel to Hawaii without their parents knowing. Being outside for the first time since forever, Madeline loved the feeling of the breeze. Humuhumunukunukuapuaa is the fish Madeline has always wanted to try and it is located in Hawaii. In Hawaii, Olly and Madeline had a great time until the last day. Where Madeline did not feel well and became extremely sick. When Pauline found out about this, she made sure that Madeline could not contact Olly. A few months later, the doctor who treated Madeline in Hawaii let Madeline know that she never had SCID and the reason she got sick was because it has been a long time since she has been outside. Madeline then reconnected with Olly again.

When you are reading this book, you go through so many emotions, which is a good thing because a good book should always make you feel connected in a way. I love this book, and it definitely makes the list of my top five favorite books. I love everything about the book, from how the author portrays the characters to how the author creates the plot. I like how the author makes the character Madeline have a disease, that I have never heard of before, so as I am reading the book, I also learn more about diseases that I thought never existed. The character Madeline makes you feel grateful that you can go outside for a walk or travel because due to her disease, she has to be stuck at home. I also love how Olly loves Madeline for who she is and is not bothered by her disease and even influences her to live life to the fullest since life is short. The plot twist was something that nobody saw coming, which makes the story better than it already is. I think that anyone, any age would enjoy reading this book, unless you don't like reading romance or mystery, then I wouldn't recommend. I recommend anyone to read this book because it teaches more about a disease that you probably didn't know about.

Reviewed by Natalia Hrayer, Grade 9
Glendale Central Library
June 30, 2020 at 5:45 PM
Teen Speak said…
Everything, Everything is a story about a girl, Maddy, with a rare disease called SCID. Basically, she is allergic to the outside world and hasn't left her house in eighteen years. But one day her life completely changes when the new family moves in next door. Maddy sees Olly, a tall, lean, wearing all-black guy. He catches her looking at him, and they stare at each other. From that point Maddy knows that she is going to fall in love with this guy and it's almost definitely going to be a disaster.

The book is very impressive and life changing. It teaches to take risks and live your life to the fullest without being afraid of anything. The main character, Maddy, is an example of this lesson. She takes risks, goes out from her house, knowing it could kill her. But she does it all for Olly, the guy she loves with all of her heart. She also takes risks for herself. Being locked in her house her whole life, out of everyone’s sight, made her realize that life is not all about being cautious and scared; you should take risks sometimes to enjoy it. I loved the book for its inspiring nature and would recommend it to those who need motivation or don’t miss the chance to take adventures.

Reviewed by Anna Baghdasaryan, Grade 11
Glendale Central Library
December 31, 2020 at 9:19 AM
Melissa said…
Everything, Everything is about a girl named Madeline Whittier who has bubbled away in her own world for the majority of her life due to her disease, SCID (Severe Combined Immunodeficiency), which causes her to be allergic to everything and she cannot leave her regulated and clean house. She is used to this loneliness and isolation and is content until one day a family moves in next door. She learns things about them, falls in love, and is willing to risk everything, and everything, for it.

I love this book because it is a different approach to a teenage love story. The emotions and characters are still very real but the circumstances and conditions that Madeline is born into aren’t common. The differences in power dynamic like the fact that Madeline doesn’t really have friends besides her nurse and mother, and Olly being popular and going to school, was interesting to read. The lengths that they were willing to go for each other was heartwarming and will always be a book I re-read frequently.

Reviewed by Clara S., Grade 9
Glendale Central Library
May 5, 2022 at 6:19 PM
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