I'll Give You the Sun
Jandy Nelson
This novel although cliche and confusing at points was a perfect example of how difficult it is to be yourself. With pressure to be the perfect artist from the twins’ mother they are torn apart. This story is told from 13 year old Noah’s point of view and 16 year old Jude’s point of view. Both trying to get into an art school, they compete for their mother’s affection and approval of their art. Jealousy tears the inseparable twins apart when their mother is extremely proud of Noah’s incredible artistic ability.
Noah has felt like an undesirable freak his entire life, like an alien. He had never fit in in his school and was constantly bullied for being withdrawn and quiet. Those who bully him have a strong feeling he is gay, which is true. Noah had been confused about his sexuality his whole life and now as a young adult it’s become clear that he likes boys. His only hope is to get into this art school, where hopefully more people will be like him and he won’t be an alien anymore. Noah falls in love with the meteor-obsessed boy next door. His journey to love and accept himself for who he is is interrupted by his mother’s sudden death. With her gone he drops art completely and isn’t accepted into the art school he had been hoping and praying to get into. Although there is a happy ending, this book shows how much pain and suffering you have to go through in order to be happy with yourself enough to be yourself.
Noah has felt like an undesirable freak his entire life, like an alien. He had never fit in in his school and was constantly bullied for being withdrawn and quiet. Those who bully him have a strong feeling he is gay, which is true. Noah had been confused about his sexuality his whole life and now as a young adult it’s become clear that he likes boys. His only hope is to get into this art school, where hopefully more people will be like him and he won’t be an alien anymore. Noah falls in love with the meteor-obsessed boy next door. His journey to love and accept himself for who he is is interrupted by his mother’s sudden death. With her gone he drops art completely and isn’t accepted into the art school he had been hoping and praying to get into. Although there is a happy ending, this book shows how much pain and suffering you have to go through in order to be happy with yourself enough to be yourself.