The book Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon is unlike any book I had ever read before. It combines not only narration, but drawings, journal entries, and diagrams to help you better visualize the story. Although at one point in the novel I felt like the author was getting a little lazy because they chose to draw the readers a picture of a certain object instead of describing what it looked like with words, I otherwise found this "mixed media" style to be really captivating. The story is also both tragic and beautiful. It's about a girl, Madeline, who is diagnosed with "Bubble-Baby" disease, and has to spend her life in her room because she is "allergic to the world." Madeline falls in love with her new neighbor across the street, but can only communicate with him through her window and instant messaging. The book gives insight on what's really important in life and the difference between seeing with your heart and actually experiencing things. It also references themes from books like The Little Prince and Flowers For Algernon that help you better understand what's going on inside the mind of the main character. While the ending is a little unrealistic and immature, keeping in mind that it is a Young Adult Fiction book, I would say that it is worth reading. I give it four stars.
About This Book
* Now a major motion picture!
My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla.
But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window, and I see him. He’s tall, lean and wearing all black—black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly.
Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster.
