I'll Give You the Sun, by Jandy Nelson

Twin siblings Jude and Noah tell their stories in parallel, with Noah recounting the past and Jude picking up at the present. The siblings give their own perspectives on growing apart from family, struggling to meet expectations, and making decisions they end up regretting. Throughout all these conflicts, their artistic inheritance expresses itself, and helps them express themselves, through paint, paper, and stone.

Many of the common themes of growing up, as well as just facing life, are addressed beautifully by this novel. Whether it be about coming to terms with letting go of the past, or dealing with guilt over bad decisions, Jude and Noah's stories had me cheering both of them on their journey to accept themselves. Interactions between characters provide much appreciated humor in the story, and I'll Give You the Sun, by Jandy Nelson is overall an entertaining and meaningful story of youth and love, and one of my all time favorites.

Reviewed by E.K., Grade 12

Glendale Central Library