Everything, Everything (a review)

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
Delacorte Press, 2015
978-0-553-49664-2
$18.99


Written in chocolate kiss sized chapters, Everything, Everything is the story of Madeline, a young girl who is trapped inside of her house because of a rare disease that makes her allergic to Everything. This means the air, grass, people, everything.  She never leaves her house and a fantastically intricate air filtering system makes sure nothing gets in. Olly lives next door. He's a mystery. He's an adventure. He's a link to the outside world and her life raft.

Obviously, this is a romance and they small chapters are punctuated with little illustrations and references to classic literature that book lovers are sure to love. Madeline is plucky and optimistic and not at all the awkward mess that you would expect her to be in her isolation. Although, that would have been interesting. I like a little weirdness. I will admit that I got about half-way through, because I thought the romance between Olly and Madeline was doomed from the beginning, but the story isn't as predictable as you think. Keep reading!


This Book is Perfect For:

• Hopeless romantics
• Introverts fighting against crippling anxiety that scratches inside of your gut
• Anybody into sick kid lit

Book Club Discussion Questions:

1. Madeline is physically cut off from the world because of her disease. In what other ways to people cut themselves off from other people or the outside world?
2. Discuss the ways in which Olly is and isn't the typical 'bad boy'. As an outsider he is physically dangerous. How is he emotionally dangerous?
3. Madeline transitions from a world of white to a world of color. How is this figurative? How is this literal?
4. Madeline takes risks with Olly. Were they worth it? Would you feel the same if the ending were different?
5. Not much is made of Madeline's race. Does this add or take away from the book?
6. Madeline's mother makes a major mistake. Was it fear or love that motivated her?

If you like this, try:

Say What You Will by Cammie McGovern

Suggested Soundtrack:
Blood by Lianne La Havas