Holding Up The Universe: A Review of Jennifer Niven’s Bestselling Novel

“Holding Up The Universe” by Jennifer Niven is an inspiring and captivating read that will leave you wanting more. This coming-of-age story follows two teens, Jack and Libby, as they face life’s struggles together. Jack has prosopagnosia, or face blindness, a condition that makes it difficult for him to recognize people. Libby is known as the “Fat Girl” at her school, a label she desperately wants to change. As their paths cross and their friendship develops, both of them learn to accept themselves and each other for who they are. With memorable characters and an honest portrayal of teenage life, this book is sure to be a hit with young adult readers. From the heart-wrenching moments of self-discovery to the lighthearted moments of friendship, “Holding Up The Universe” delivers on every level. It’s easy to see why this book has been nominated for numerous awards and praised by critics. In addition to its compelling storyline, the book also features diverse characters and interesting side plots that add depth to the story. With so much going for it, “Holding Up The Universe” is sure to be one of the must-read books of the year. Read on to find out what else makes this book so special.

Holding Up The Universe Review

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Holding Up The Universe by Jennifer Niven is an incredible novel filled with love, adventure and the power of friendship. This moving story follows Libby Strout, a young girl who has been branded as “America’s Fattest Teen,” as she navigates her way through high school and discovers her true worth. Along the way, she finds unlikely allies in Jack Masselin, a boy with prosopagnosia (face blindness), and the two of them must learn to rely on each other if they are going to overcome their obstacles.

Key Features:
1. An emotionally powerful story about two teens overcoming adversity
2. Captivating characters that readers will root for
3. A heartwarming exploration of friendship and self-acceptance
4. A thought-provoking look at our preconceived notions of beauty and identity
5. A compelling message about standing up against bullying and fat shaming

Libby and Jack’s story will capture your heart from start to finish as they strive to uncover the truth about themselves and each other. As Libby struggles against the stereotypes thrust upon her, she discovers a strength within herself that she never knew existed and learns to accept that everyone needs help sometimes. Meanwhile, Jack must confront his own insecurities and embrace his condition if he is ever going to truly connect with those around him. Together, these two misfits discover that there is nothing more powerful than standing up for yourself in the face of adversity and that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. Holding Up The Universe is an inspiring story that celebrates life’s imperfections and proves that we are all worthy of love, acceptance, and respect.

Product Details

Product Name Author Published Date
Holding Up The Universe Jennifer Niven 2016-10-04
Description
Everyone thinks they know Libby Strout, the girl once dubbed “America’s Fattest Teen.” But no one’s taken the time to look pasther weight to get to know who she really is. Following her mom’s death, she’s been picking up the pieces in the privacy of her home, dealing with her heartbroken father and her own grief. Now, Libby’s ready: for high school, for new friends, for love, and for every possibility life has to offer. In that moment, I know the part I want to play here at MVB High. I want to be the girl who can do anything.
Product Details
Publisher Random House Children’s Books
Language En(…)

Holding Up The Universe Pros and Cons

Holding Up The Universe by Jennifer Niven: A Must-Read for Emotional and Uplifting Storytelling!

1. Pros:

This book is an emotional roller coaster that will bring you to tears and laughter. The main characters, Libby and Jack, are incredibly relatable and their story is incredibly touching. Through their struggles they find strength in each other and discover the power of friendship and family. It’s an inspiring journey that will make readers believe in themselves as much as Libby and Jack do.

2. Cons:

The plot does move a bit slowly at times and some sections may feel a bit repetitive. Also, the characters can be a little too perfect at times, making them seem slightly unrealistic. However, these faults do not detract from the overall power of this book.

Overall, Holding Up The Universe by Jennifer Niven is an unforgettable read that will leave readers with a newfound appreciation for life’s little moments. Don’t miss out on this amazing story – pick up your copy today!

Who are They for

Holding Up The Universe by Jennifer Niven is a heart-warming, tear-jerking young adult novel about two teenagers who come together despite their differences. This powerful story follows Libby Strout and Jack Masselin as they go on a journey of self-discovery and acceptance.

Libby Strout is an overweight teenager who was once known as “America’s Fattest Teenager” after she had to be rescued from her own house due to her extreme weight gain. Despite the trauma, Libby finds strength in herself and eventually discovers that life isn’t about hiding away from the world.

Meanwhile, Jack Masselin is a popular high school student with face blindness, an inability to recognize people’s faces. Jack struggles with his condition and hides it from everyone, until he meets Libby and realizes that he’s not alone. With Libby’s help, Jack learns how to cope with his condition and embrace his true self.

Holding Up The Universe is an emotional roller coaster ride that will make you laugh, cry, and root for the characters every step of the way. As Libby and Jack discover themselves and overcome obstacles, you’ll realize that no matter what life throws your way, it’s always worth fighting for what you believe in.

My Experience for Holding Up The Universe

Lloyd Kaufman

When I first picked up Jennifer Niven’s Holding Up The Universe, I was expecting an average teen romance novel. But, boy, was I wrong! It turns out that this book is so much more than that; it’s a powerful story of love and acceptance between two unlikely friends.

The main characters of Jack and Libby are both dealing with their own struggles in life and find solace in each other. Jack has been hiding his true self from the world due to a rare facial difference, while Libby has been struggling with her weight for years. Despite their differences, they quickly become close friends and support one another through the challenges they face.

The plot of Holding Up The Universe is full of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. I especially enjoyed how Niven delved into topics such as body image, bullying, and self-acceptance. As a reader, I felt connected to Jack and Libby as if they were my own friends.

Ultimately, Holding Up The Universe is an inspiring story about overcoming personal obstacles and finding true friendship. It had me laughing, crying, and cheering for the two protagonists all at once! I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a heartwarming story about learning to love oneself and others unconditionally.

 

What I don’t Like

1. Lacks diversity – Holding Up the Universe does not feature many characters of color or LGBTQIA+ characters.
2. Slow pacing – the story takes a while to get moving and may be too slow-paced for some readers.
3. Unrealistic portrayal of mental illness – some readers have noted that the way mental health issues are depicted in the book is unrealistic and potentially harmful.
4. Heavy topics – this book deals with sensitive topics such as abuse, neglect, and depression, which may be triggering for some readers.
5. Unsatisfying ending – some readers have noted that the ending was rushed and left loose ends unresolved.

How to Use Holding Up The Universe for Self-Reflection and Transformation

Holding Up The Universe by Jennifer Niven is a powerful novel that explores the struggles of growing up with insecurity and self-doubt. It follows the story of two teenagers, Libby Strout and Jack Masselin, as they learn to accept themselves and each other. Through their journey, readers are encouraged to reflect on their own experiences, opinions, and feelings in order to gain a better understanding of themselves.

This book can be used as a tool for self-reflection and transformation. By reading the novel and reflecting on its themes, readers can gain insight into their own life experiences and feelings. Through this process, they can begin to develop a greater sense of self-awareness and acceptance. Additionally, this book offers an opportunity to explore deeper topics such as identity, relationships, and mental health.

One way to use Holding Up The Universe to facilitate personal growth is through writing exercises. After reading each chapter, take some time to reflect on the events of the story and how these events relate to your own life. Write down your thoughts about these connections in a journal or notebook. This exercise can help you understand how different people can experience similar emotions and challenges in different ways.

Another way to use Holding Up The Universe for personal reflection is through discussion groups. Gather some friends together who have read the same book and spend some time talking about the characters’ stories, relationships, choices, and more. These conversations can help you gain more perspective on your own life experiences while also allowing you to connect with others who may have gone through similar things as you have.

By using Holding Up The Universe for self-reflection and transformation, readers can gain valuable insight into their lives that can help them grow in meaningful ways. Whether it’s through writing exercises or discussion groups, this novel offers an opportunity for personal growth that should not be overlooked!

Questions about Holding Up The Universe

 

What is Holding Up the Universe about?

Holding Up the Universe is a YA novel by New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Niven. It follows two teenage protagonists, Libby Strout and Jack Masselin, as they grapple with their individual struggles to define identity and belonging in a small town.

What genre does Holding Up the Universe belong to?

Holding Up the Universe belongs to the Young Adult (YA) genre, blending elements of contemporary fiction, romance, and drama.

Who are the main characters of Holding Up the Universe?

The main characters of Holding Up the Universe are Libby Strout and Jack Masselin. Libby is an overweight sixteen-year-old girl who was famously known as America’s Fattest Teen when she was thirteen. Jack is a popular high school student with a secret – he’s unable to recognize faces.

Is there a movie version of Holding Up The Universe?

Not yet! While there have been rumors that Holding Up The Universe will be adapted into a film, nothing has been officially announced yet.

Lloyd Kaufman

Hi, my name is Lloyd and I'm a book enthusiast. I love to read all kinds of books, from classic literature to modern fantasy, as well as non-fiction works. I also enjoy writing reviews and giving my opinion on the books that I have read.

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